Here are some of the free events, activities and clubs taking place in our libraries throughout March – contact the libraries directly for more information or to book a place!
Abbeyleix Library – Call 057 8730020 or email abbeyleixlibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Staying Connected @ the Library – a new 5-week computer course in collaboration with the LOETB is beginning on Weds, 1st March at 2:30pm. Bring your own device every Wednesday. Call or email the library for more information or to book your place.
Baby Book Club – a brand new Baby Book Club, “Abby Babbies”, is starting on Thurs, 2nd Mar at 10:30am and will run every Thursday going forward. Suitable for ages 0-4 and their parents/caregivers. Call or email the library for more details.
Kids Craft – a special parent/child daffodil craft session will take place on Sat, 4th Mar throughout the day to celebrate Spring Into Storytime.
Seachtain na Gaeilge – the library is delighted to host Spink Comhaltas for an evening of ceol agus craic for Seachtain na Gaeilge 2023. Taking place on Thurs, 16th Mar from 6:30pm. Refreshments will be served on the night. All welcome!
After School Craft – an after-school craft session will take place on Fri, 24th March from 2:30pm for children and parents to celebrate Spring Into Storytime.
Junior Chess Club – the junior chess club runs every Saturday morning at 10am – join us in the library to test your logic skills and battle it out with other chess enthusiasts.
Adult Book Club – usually meets on the last Thursday of the month at 6:30pm. Next meeting taking place on Thurs, 30th Mar.
Knitting Group – the group meet every Tuesday morning at 10:30am. All levels of skill are welcome to come along for chats and tea.
Bridge Club – the club meets every Wednesday at 12noon. All welcome.
Lego Science Club – the Lego Science Club takes place every Thursday afternoon from 4pm-5pm and focuses on a STEM based approach to a series of Lego challenges. The club is suitable for ages 9-12 years. Contact the library for more information and to register your interest.
Art Gallery – the gallery is hosting an exhibition by Jo Howard for the month of March, displaying a variety of artwork on landscapes, midlands towns, bogs and industrial heritage using various mediums of oils, watercolour and textiles. Varying size pieces.
Durrow Library – Call 057 8736090 or email durrowlibrary@laoiscoco.ie
St. Patrick’s Day Colouring – a special colouring table to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day will be available in the library throughout the day on Weds, 15th March.
Storytime and Craft – Join Amy in the library on Weds, 22nd Mar at 12:10pm for a special storytime and craft session to celebrate Spring Into Storytime.
Irish Circle – the Irish Circle group meets in the library on Tuesdays at 6.10pm. Beidh fáilte róimh cupán tae a ól agus cúpla focail Gaeilge a labhairt nó a canadh.
Adult Book Club – the club will next meet on Tues, 28th Mar at 6.10pm. Call or email the library for more details.
Mountmellick Library – Call 057 8644572 or email mountmellicklibrary@laoiscoco.ie
The Ripple Effect – a showing of the Ripple Effect film will take place in the library on Tues, 28th March. Refreshment will be served at 7pm prior to the showing at 7:30pm. All are welcome to attend. This film was a five-part video series showcasing multidisciplinary performances of Laois Artists, produced by Caroline Keane and filmed by Louis Deacy and features the Mountmellick Writing Group. Focusing on the art disciplines of Music, Dance, Spoken Word and Visual Arts, the concept was to unify the arts disciplines through a series of commissions, connected by a creative chain. This project was funded by the LLPPS Phase 4 Programme from the Laois Arts office & Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
Writing Space – the library will begin hosting a weekly writing space on Thursday mornings where people can write/journal, meet and discuss ideas. Call or email the library for more information.
Baby Book Club – The club aims to encourage sound awareness using action rhymes, songs and stories for ages 0-3 years. Takes place every Tuesday morning at 10:30am. Call or email the library for more details.
Adult Book Club – the adult book club is reading Snowflake by Louise Nealon for the month of March. Call or email the library next meeting date. New members welcome.
Junior Book Club – the club is reading The House at the Edge of Magic by Amy Sparkles for the month of March and is next meeting on Tues, 28th Mar at 4pm. Suitable for ages 8-12 years. New members are welcome – call or email the library for more details.
Lego Free Play – every Saturday morning in the library from 10:30am – 12:30pm. Lego Freeplay will also be available throughout the midterm break during library opening hours. Drop in and create together!
Sensory Morning – taking place on Fri, 31st Mar from 10am-11:30am for ages 0-3 years and their parents/carers. Booking essential as places are limited – call or email the library for more details.
Sensory Toy Resource Collection – a service for parents of children with additional needs who live in Co. Laois. The toys are designed to support the development of gross motor skills, fine motor skills and communication skills. Take a look at the resource booklet here.
Sensory Room at Mountmellick Library – This service is for use by children and adults with additional needs along with their parent/carer. Following registration with a supply letter, the room can be booked for 30-minute slots. Contact the library for more details.
Tovertafel Magic Table – the table has interactive light projection games specially designed for those with dementia, cognitive challenges, autism and learning difficulties. The projections respond to the touch of the players. Booking is essential for 30-minute slots.
Art Gallery – the gallery is delighted to host Laois based artist Orla McDonagh for the month of March. Her work takes inspiration from the ordinary and the everyday, the people and places we occupy. The collection represents those marginalised in society, living and looking alternative. The pieces are acrylic painted works and ceramic pieces and have not been exhibited before. The exhibition will launch on 7th Mar at 6.30 p.m. All welcome to attend!
Mountrath Library – Call 057 8756378 or email mountrathlibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Ciorcal Comhrá – Ceiliúradh Seachtain na Gaeilge agus glac páirt i gCiorcal Comhrá i Leabharlann Maighean Rátha. Buailfidh an grúpa le chéile gach tráthnóna Deardaoin le linn mhí na Márta ag 6.15pm.
Junior Book Club – The Junior Graphic Novel Book Club will next meet on Weds, 1st Mar at 4pm-4:45pm to discuss Zatanna and the House of Secrets and then on Weds, 15th Mar at 4pm-4:45pm to discuss Red and Rover, Fun’s Never Over. Suitable for ages 9-12 years old. New members welcome! Call or email the library for more information.
Local History Group – the group will meet on Thurs, 2nd Mar at 6:15pm. Refreshments will be available. Call or email the library for more details.
Author Visit – Laois author Donna Mills will visit the library on Sat, 11th Mar at 11am for a special children’s storytime and craft based on her book What Can I Do? Booking essential – call or email the library to book a place.
Adult Art Classes – a six-week adult art and craft class with LOETB tutor Fiona Murphy begins on Weds, 15th Mar at 10:30am. Booking essential – call or email the library to reserve your place.
Knitting Group – the group meets every Friday morning from 11am-1pm – all skill levels welcome. Light refreshments provided!
Jigsaw Morning – the adult jigsaw group meets every Wednesday morning at 11am. Come along for some puzzles, a chat and a cuppa!
Magnetic Tiles Play Session – pop into the library on Saturdays from 10am-1pm for a Magnetic Tiles play session. No booking needed!
Portarlington Library – Call 057 8643751 or email portarlingtonlibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Baby Book Club – a brand new Baby Book Club is up and running in Portarlington Library! Places are limited, so call or email the library for more details.
Junior Book Club – takes place on the last Wednesday of the month, suitable for ages 8-12 years. Places are limited, so call or email the library for more details.
Cards in the Community – meets every Tuesday morning at 11am. Play popular card games for fun.
Knitting Group – meets every Friday morning at 10:30am. All skill levels from beginner to advanced are welcome!
Sensory Toy Resource Collection – a service for parents of children with additional needs who live in Co. Laois. The toys are designed to support the development of gross motor skills, fine motor skills and communication skills. Take a look at the resource booklet here.
Portlaoise Library – Call 05786 22333 or email portlaoiselibrary@laoiscoco.ie
World Book Day – World Book Day 2023 takes place on Thurs, 2nd March. Staff from Portlaoise Library will have a stand in Laois Shopping Centre on the day from 10am-4pm with lots of free goodies and information about what the library service has to offer. Pop over and say hello!
Seachtain na Gaeilge – the library is hosting an evening of Irish music, poetry, dance and song on Weds, 8th Mar from 4pm to celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge. All welcome to join the fun!
Storytime & Craft – a special storytime and craft session as Gaeilge will take place on Sat, 11th Mar at 12noon to celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge. All welcome.
Gardening Talk – the library is hosting a talk “Manage Your Sustainable Kitchen Garden” with Tanguy de Toulgoet from Dunmore Country School on Thurs, 9th Mar at 6pm. Held in association with the Europe Direct Centre – call or email the library for more information or to book a place.
Astrophotography Talk – to celebrate Astronomy Week, the library is hosting a talk on Astrophotography by Tom O’Hanlon on Weds, 22nd Mar at 6:30pm. This is an introduction to astro and lunar photography and how it can progress to a slightly more advanced setup while showing image examples of Tom’s own work and how he captured the images. Booking advised – call or email the library for more details.
Baby Book Club – uses songs, stories, books and rhymes to build a foundation to literacy in your baby and toddler through sound awareness for ages 0-3 years. Meets fortnightly – next meeting takes place on Thurs, 2nd Mar at 10:30am.
Literature at 11 – Featuring poetry and prose readings by staff members with tea, coffee and chats about literature, life and lots more! The next Literature at 11 meeting will take place on Thurs, 9th Mar at 11am. All are welcome!
Lego Freeplay – children’s Lego freeplay sessions take place every Saturday from 11am-1pm. All welcome!
Radioactive Readers Book Club – for ages 6-9 years. Join us for monthly chats and fun activities. Next meeting taking place on Thurs, 23rd Mar at 4pm.
Young Adult Online Book Club – A new Young Adult book club is being set up in Laois Libraries. Taking place over Zoom, next date TBC. Register your interest for the club by emailing portlaoiselibrary@laoiscoco.ie.
Genealogy Club – Join the club at Portlaoise Library to chat with family history enthusiasts, learn from their experiences and share your own unique family history stories. Next meeting taking place on Thurs, 23rd Mar at 7pm. Call or email the library for more information.
Chapter One Book Club – our adult morning book club meets on the last Friday of every month. Next meeting takes place Fri, 31st Mar at 11am. All welcome!
Knitting Circle – The Knitting Circle meets every Wednesday morning at 11am – all skill levels are welcome!
Ciorcal Comhrá – Come along for some Irish conversation and chat every Wednesday evening at 5:30pm – for all levels, from beginners to advanced.
Rathdowney Library – Call 0505 46852 or email rathdowneylibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Adult Book Club – next meeting on Monday, 20th March at 8pm.
Junior Chess Club – the chess club for ages 9-13 years takes place in the library on Thursday evenings from 7pm-8pm. Call or email the library for more details.
Sewing Club – the sewing club meets on Monday evenings from 7pm-8pm. Call or email the library for more details.
Sensory Toy Resource Collection – a service for parents of children with additional needs who live in Co. Laois. The toys are designed to support the development of gross motor skills, fine motor skills and communication skills. Take a look at the resource booklet here.
Stradbally Library – Call 057 8641673 or email stradballylibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Digital Phone Skills – a new 6-week Digital Phone Skills programme with the LOETB is starting on Tues, 28th Feb from 1:15pm-3pm. Call or email the library for more information. Booking essential.
Knitting & Crochet Club – the club meets every Tuesday evening at 6:30pm. All levels are welcome.
Chess/Board Game Club – taking place every Thursday night from 6:45pm-8pm. All welcome. Adult volunteers needed! Call or email the library for more details.
Saturday Art Club – join Faye in the library on Saturdays, from 11:30am-12:30pm. Places are limited so booking is essential – call or email the library for more details.
Saturday Lego Club – every Saturday morning from 10:15am-11:15am. For ages 5+. Booking essential.
Wednesday Lego Club – every Wednesday afternoon from 3:15pm-4:15pm. For ages 5+. Booking essential.