Here are some of the free adult events, activities and clubs taking place in our libraries in December – contact the libraries directly for more information or to book a place!
- 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 - 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.
Digital Skills Course - the Staying Connected at the Library digital skills course will finish up on Tues, 3rd Dec at 11am. We are currently taking names for new classes due to start in early 2025. Contact the library directly to register your interest.
Christmas Carols - a very special Christmas event will take place on Sat, 21st Dec at 12noon. Abbeyleix Parish Choir will perform Christmas carols in the library. All welcome - call in and join in the festive atmosphere!
Ciorcal Comhrá - the group is meeting on Thurs, 5th Dec and Thurs, 19th Dec at 6pm. All welcome!
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 Thursday at 11am. 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 artist Anne Deere for the month of December. Anne is from Carlow and works as a part-time artist. Her work is centred around some of Ireland's most dramatic landscapes. Anne is a member of the Barrow Valley Group of Artists and has exhibited her work in many locations over the years. The sea and nature is a familiar theme for Anne, inspired by her regular visits to some of Ireland's beautiful locations.
Durrow Library – Call 057 8736090 or email durrowlibrary@laoiscoco.ie
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, 17th December, ahead of the Christmas break – new members welcome.
Mountmellick Library – Call 057 8689382 or email mountmellicklibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Digital Skills Life Stories Project - participants will be presented with their printed booklet of work carried out over the past 8 weeks on Weds, 4th Dec at 11am. This was a joint project with Laois Libraries, Ballycommon Training Centre and the LOETB. All welcome to attend the presentation and for refreshments afterwards!
Winter Wellness Workshop - nutritionist Ruth Kavanagh will deliver a talk and cookery demo on Tues, 10th Dec at 3pm. Ruth's talk will focus on immune, digestive and heart health. Participants will receive take home resources. Booking required - call or email the library directly.
Christmas Coffee Morning - pop into the library on Tues, 17th Dec at 11am and join library staff for some refreshments as a thank you for all your custom throughout the year. All welcome!
Sewing Classes - a new round of sewing classes with the LOETB will begin on Weds, 8th Jan at 10:30am. Places are limited so booking is essential. Call or email the library directly 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. Next meetings taking place on Fri, 6th Dec and Fri, 13th Dec at 11am. Refreshments provided. All are welcome. To join the mailing list and be notified on next meeting dates, call or email Mountmellick Library.
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.
Art Gallery - the gallery in Mountmellick is delighted to host artist Pauline O'Connor for the month of December. The exhibition is entitled Unapologetically Me and will be launched on Tues, 10th Dec at 6pm. All welcome to attend.
Mountrath Library – Call 057 8756378 or email mountrathlibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Skincare & Make-Up Course - a brand new series of classes with LOETB tutor Laura Behan on skincare and make-up will begin on Thurs, 9th Jan. This will be a 6-week series of classes running on Thursdays from 5pm-7pm. Contact the library directly to book a place or for more information.
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, 19th Dec at 6pm to discuss The Racket by Conor Niland. Tea/coffee provided. New members welcome!
Portarlington Library – Call 057 8643751 or email portarlingtonlibrary@laoiscoco.ie
Mince Pie Morning - pop in and enjoy a cup of tea and a mince pie on Thurs, 19th Dec from 11am to celebrate the festive season!
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. Because of the Christmas break, the club will next meet on Tues, 7th Jan 2025 at 11am. This month the club is reading The Last Monday at the End of the World by Stuart Turton. 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
Christmas Carols - the library is delighted to welcome some talented young students from the Richard Mansworth Stage School on Sat, 14th Dec at 11am. The choir will sing a variety of well-known Christmas carols and songs. All welcome!
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.
Christmas Coffee Morning - Thursday, 19th Dec at 11am Come and join us for a coffee/tea and some light refreshments, along with a performance of well-known Christmas carols sung by students from the Holy Family National School in Portlaoise. All welcome!
Portlaoise Women’s Shed – Friday, 13th Dec 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, 4th Dec 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 7pm. 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, 16th Dec at 11am. 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.
Chapter One Book Club – Friday, 20th Dec at 11am. 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.
Star Weaving Workshops - meeting on Wednesdays at 12:30pm as part of the International One Million Stars programme.
Adult Book Club - meets once a month on Monday evenings. New members welcome! Call or email the library for more details.
Stradbally Library – Call 057 8641673 or email stradballylibrary@laoiscoco.ie
BorrowBox Workshops - our Stradbally librarians, Kirsten and Michelle, will host 2 BorrowBox workshops on Thurs, 5th Dec and Thurs, 12th Dec from 3pm-5pm. They will show members how to prepare for Christmas closures in the library by downloading the app on you phone or laptop and demonstrating how to browse newspapers, magazines, ebooks and audiobooks during the Festive Season! Call the library directly for more information and to book a place.
Christmas Wreath Making Workshop - join Michelle on Weds, 11th Dec at 2:30pm for a fresh Christmas wreath making workshop. Booking essential as place are limited, call or email the library directly.
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!