Here are some of the free adult events, activities and clubs taking place in our libraries in November – 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.
- Abbeyleix Library
- Durrow Library
- Mountmellick Library
- Mountrath Library
- Portarlington Library
- Portlaoise Library
- Rathdowney Library
- Stradbally Library
Abbeyleix Library – Call 057 8730020 or email abbeyleixlibrary@laoiscoco.ie
History Talk - historian Cormac Moore will visit the library on Thurs, 21st Nov at 6:30pm for a talk on his book Birth of the Border, the impact of the 1921 partition in Ireland and the ramifications on all aspects of Irish life. Call or email the library to book a place.
History Talk - join lecture Ida Milne and historian Ian d'Alton on Thurs, 28th Nov at 6:30pm as they discuss Minorities in the Irish Free State post 1923. Call or email the library to book a place.
Ciorcal Comhrá - a brand new Ciorcal Comhrá group is starting and will meet on Thursdays at 6pm. Call or email the library for more details.
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, 28th Nov.
Art Gallery – the gallery is delighted to host an exhibition for the month of November entitled The Colours of Life, a group exhibition by VTOS students at Abbeyleix. The exhibition will showcase a selection of pieces depicting landscapes, portraits using the medium of acrylics and oils along with a collection of ceramics.
Durrow Library – Call 057 8736090 or email durrowlibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Art Classes - a new 4 week session of adult art classes with Billy Dollard from the LOETB will start on Weds, 13th Nov at 10:30am. Places are limited so booking is essential - call or email the library directly.
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, 26th November – new members welcome.
Mountmellick Library – Call 057 8689382 or email mountmellicklibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Art Classes - a new series of adult art classes with LOETB tutor Billy Dollard will start on Tues, 5th Nov at 10:30am. Classes will run for 6 weeks every Tuesday morning. Places are limited so call or email the library to book your place.
Join us for a cuppa at the Ciorcal Comhrá at the library which takes place each Tuesday at 6pm, all levels welcome. Bígí Linn!
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. Next meeting on Fri, 8th Nov at 11am.
Adult Book Club – next meeting taking place on Fri, 29th Nov at 11am. The club is currently reading My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout. New members welcome. Call or email the library for more details.
Short Story Book Club - the book club is reading Passing by Nella Larsen for the month of November. Our next meeting is Tuesday 26th Nov 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!
Art Gallery - the gallery in Mountmellick is delighted to host a Street Photography exhibition by Laszlo Vig for the month of November.
Mountrath Library – Call 057 8756378 or email mountrathlibrary@laoiscoco.ie
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, 28th Nov at 6pm to discuss Running with the Kenyans by Adharanand Finn. Tea/coffee provided. New members welcome!
Portarlington Library – Call 057 8643751 or email portarlingtonlibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Ask the Paediatric Dietitian - join us for a webinar on Weds, 13th Nov at 12:30pm. with Cathy Monaghan, a senior paediatric dietitian with Children's Health Ireland. You can view at home or visit the library for an in-house showing. To register for the event and receive a viewing link, email portarlingtonlibrary@laoiscoco.ie. You can submit your questions ahead of time.
Food & Mood Workshop - this free workshop provides practical insights into how our diet influences our mood and overall wellbeing. A take home resource will be provided which will include a summary of the workshop and recipe booklet. Taking place on Tues, 26th Nov at 6:30pm. Register here: https://tinyurl.com/ynwxz6pf
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.
Portlaoise Library – Call 05786 22333 or email portlaoiselibrary@laoiscoco.ie
The Science of Music with Bohemian Strings -- Join us at Portlaoise Library on Wednesday, 13th November at 6:30 PM for an exciting evening of live music and science! Bohemian Strings will perform popular tunes, movie themes, and classical hits, while MC Claire O'Connell explores the science behind why we love music and its impact on our brains. Free entry, booking required: tinyurl.com/42y48t5n
Toddler Talk - as part of our Parenting Support Programme, Talking Buddies will deliver a talk for parents of toddlers aged 15 months to 3.5 years on Thurs, 21st Nov at 6:30pm. Toddler Talk includes evidence-based strategies that are easy to incorporate into your everyday routines. Book your place here.
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, 1st 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, 6th Nov 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, 20th Nov 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.
Local Studies Coffee Morning - Saturday, 23rd Nov at 11am. Pop into the library for a chat and a cuppa with staff of Laois Local Studies.
English Learners’ Book Club – Monday, 18th Nov 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, 21st Nov at 11:00am. Featuring poetry and prose readings by staff members with tea, coffee, and chats.
Chapter One Book Club – Friday, 29th Nov 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.
Rathdowney Library – Call 0505 46852 or email rathdowneylibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Sewing Club - meets every Monday evening at 7pm.
Adult Book Club - meets once a month on Monday evenings. Next meeting on Mon, 4th Nov at 8pm. New members welcome! Call or email the library for more details.
Stradbally Library – Call 057 8641673 or email stradballylibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Adult Book Club – next meeting on Thurs, 28th Nov 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!