Public libraries run cultural, educational, and recreational events and activities open to both library members and non members.
Here are some of the free adult events, activities and clubs taking place in our libraries in October – contact the libraries directly for more information or to book a place!
The Parenting Support Programme, in collaboration with Offaly Libraries, is back this year. A full programme of events can be found here.
Gardening for Biodiversity – as part of the Laois Climate Action Festival, Aoife Munn will deliver a workshop on Fri, 18th Oct at 11am. Create a space that is providing for biodiversity and encouraging wildlife while proving all the benefits and enjoyment we want to get from a green space. Discover the small changes that can make a big difference and what wildlife really needs. Call or email the library to book a place.
Adult Chess Club – the club meets every Thursday evening at 6.15pm – come along to play a game with fellow enthusiasts. All welcome! Contact the library directly for more information.
Knitting Group – the group meets every Wednesday 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 11:30am. All welcome.
Adult Book Club – the club meets on the last Thursday of the month at 6:30pm. Next meeting taking place on Thurs, 24th Oct.
Art Gallery – the gallery is delighted to host an exhibition for the month of October by Laura Tully, an artist from Portarlington. The exhibition, entitled Tell Our Story, was initially inspired by the noteworthy Dancehall era in Ireland. Recollections of this Dancehall era exist, not only in music recording that have survived the test of time but in vintage Morris Minor cars, in rusted sewing machines resting in antique shops. Certain objects are truly time-capsules. Each has their story.
Ciorcal Comhrá – 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 meets on the last Tuesday of the month at 6pm. Next meeting on Tues, 29th October – new members welcome.
The Gallery in Mountmellick Library is delighted to host for the month of October Shutterbugs photographic exhibition which will launch on Tuesday October 1st at 6.30 p.m. all are welcome to attend.
Join us for a cuppa at the Ciorcal Comhrá at the library which takes place each Tuesday at 6pm, all levels welcome. Bígí Linn!
Book Launch – Mountmellick Library are delighted to host the launch of local author Linda McEvoy’s first novel entitled The Christmas Market on Tues, 15th Oct. Linda will sign copies of her book at 6.30pm and take part in a Q&A session from 7pm. Refreshments will be served and all are welcome to attend.
Shared Reading: Would you like to take some time out, connect with others and explore some great poems and stories. Then, join us in Mountmellick Library for some shared reading sessions where a staff member will read a story or poem. We then talk together about what we think and feel about it. It’s also fine to just come and listen. Refreshments provided. All are welcome- on the following Fridays at 11 a.m.- October 4th, 11th and 18th.
Adult Book Club – next meeting taking place on Fri, 25th Oct at 11am. New members welcome. Call or email the library for more details.
Short Story Book Club: To celebrate the centenary of the birth of the iconic writer James Baldwin the Short and Sweet Book Club in Mountmellick Library will be reading “Sonny’s Blues” for the month of October. Copies of the story are available to pick up in Mountmellick Library. Our next meeting is Tuesday October 29th at 11 a.m. or call 0578689382 for further information.
Mountmellick Arts Collective meet on Thursday mornings in Mountmellick Library. If interested call 0578689382 or email mountmellickwritersgroup1@gmail.com to find out more!
Knitting Group – the group meets every Friday morning from 11am-1pm – all skill levels welcome. Light refreshments provided!
Adult Sports Book Club – next meeting on Thurs, 31st Oct at 6pm to discuss The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown. Tea/coffee provided. New members welcome!
Cleaner Greener Home & Garden Workshop – as part of the Laois Climate Action Festival, join Aoife Munn on Fri, 18th Oct at 2:30pm for a session where participants can learn how to make their own cleaning products that will not damage the environment like bought ones can. This is a talk about what to use where in both the home and the garden. Bring along a container and take home a sample. Booking essential, call or email the library directly.
Stay Connected – a new round of Stay Connected classes delivered by the LOETB will be starting soon. This course will help you to get the most out of using your phone or tablet. Dates to be confirmed. Call or email the library for more details and to book a place.
Puzzle Club – join us for a jigsaw morning and a cuppa, every Tuesday at 10:30am. New members welcome!
Adult Book Club – takes place on the last Tuesday of the month. This month the club is reading Go As a River by Shelley Read. Call or email the library for more details.
Knitting Group – meets every Friday morning at 10:30am. All skill levels from beginner to advanced are welcome!
Laois Libraries Online Book Club – join us on the last Wednesday of every month on our Book Club Facebook page when questions are posed for discussion here. This months title is Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro and is available to download in both ebook and audiobook format on BorrowBox.
Climate Action Talk – Join the Laois County Council Climate Action Team for an Over 60s conversation about climate change on the 16th October in Portlaoise Library. Hosted by Jacinta Barrins. Call 086-2033269 to register.
Childcare Supports in Laois – as part of our Parenting Support Programme, Muriel from the Laois County Childcare Committee will be delivering an informative talk on the range of supports available for parents in Co. Laois. Taking place on Thursday, October 17th at 6:30pm, this is a fantastic opportunity to learn about resources that can benefit you and your family! Booking Required: https://tinyurl.com/2y24ntke
Nutrition Talk with EduFit – Join us for an hour long interactive workshop led by nutritionist Ruth Kavanagh on Thurs, 24th Oct at 6:30pm! Covering healthy meal options, portion sizes, budget-friendly tips, and more, this session includes an engaging “Sugar Shockers” activity. Participants will receive take-home resources. Registration required: https://tinyurl.com/bdb69k8h
Age Friendly Quiet Time – Wednesdays, 10am-11:30am – Portlaoise Library staff will observe a quiet time each Wednesday from 10am-11:30am to make the library a more inclusive and comfortable, relaxed environment for you to enjoy your library experience.
Portlaoise Women’s Shed – Friday, 4th Oct at 10am. Portlaoise Women’s Shed, taking place in Portlaoise Library and every Friday after. Run by volunteers, they are a non-profit charity focused on reducing isolation and fostering a community of kindness and support. Providing a safe and welcoming place for women aged 18 and above to come together, connect, and support each other. Any woman who would like further details can email portlaoisewomensshed@gmail.com.
Adult Evening Book Club – Wednesday, 2nd Oct at 6:30pm. Book club members gather for a monthly meet up on Wednesdays to discuss books and different genre’s and to share their passion for books and reading. New members welcome.
Genealogy Club – Wednesday, 16th Oct at 7:00pm. Join the club at Portlaoise Library to chat with family history enthusiasts, learn from their experiences and share your own unique family history stories. Call or email the library for more information.
English Learners’ Book Club – Monday, 21st Oct at 11:00am – 12:00pm. Looking to improve your English reading and conversational skills? Join our new English Learners book club! A new Book Club in Portlaoise Library for adult members of our community who are learning English as a second language and will run once a month after that (with a small break for July & August). Suitable for high-beginner to low-intermediate reading levels. Call or email the library to register your place.
Literature at Eleven – Thursday, 24th Oct at 11:00am. Featuring poetry and prose readings by staff members with tea, coffee, and chats.
Chapter One Book Club – Friday, 25th Oct at 11:00am. Book club members gather for a monthly meet up on Fridays to discuss books and different genre’s and to share their passion for books and reading Call or email the library for more details. New members welcome
Knitting Circle – The Knitting Circle meets every Wednesday morning at 11:00am – 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.
Computer Classes – Age Action run free one-on-one computer classes for people over the age of 55 who have little or no experience with their personal device. Classes run for 2 hours each week, over 5 weeks. To register your interest, contact the Age Action team on 0818 911 109 or the library directly.
Star Weaving Workshops - every Wednesday from 12:30pm to 2pm. The workshops are part of the International One Million Stars programme which aims to raise awareness about domestic violence. Call or email the library for more details.
Brat Bhride Workshop - as part of the Laois Climate Action Festival, visit the library on Mon, 21st Oct at 7pm for an upcycling workshop with your old scarves/shawls done in the Brat Bhride tradition, symbolic of St. Brigid. Call or email the library to book your place.
Sewing Club - meets every Monday evening at 7pm.
Adult Book Club - meets once a month on Monday evenings. New members welcome! Call or email the library for more details.
Adult Art Classes – the LOETB will deliver adult art classes every Wednesday in October from 2:30pm-4:30pm, starting on Weds, 2nd Oct. Places are limited, so booking essential. Call or email the library directly.
Adult Book Club – next meeting on Thurs, 31sts Oct at 6:30pm. Call or email the library for more details.
Knitting & Crochet Club – the club meets every Tuesday at 6:30pm. Tea/coffee served. All welcome, no sign up needed!