Thursday 27 February 2020

Connections: Stories by Syrian Families in County Clare

Ennistymon Library welcomed Syrian families who have become part of the local community to a special celebration on the 25th of February to mark the publication of their own stories. Connections: Stories by Syrian Families in County Clare is the result of a seven week project shared by children of Ennistymon National School and their parents and siblings which demonstrates the power of storytelling and writing in linking two very diverse cultures.

The initiative had its beginning at a Children’s Book Festival event at Ennistymon Library in October 2018 when the library’s guest author Debbie Thomas brought the joy of exploring iBbY Ireland’s Silent Books Collection to the Syrian children of Scoil Mhainchín National School Ennistymon. The passion for telling stories shown by the children on that occasion was appreciated and recognized as a learning and literacy opportunity that was worthy of further development.


Debbie Thomas, author and project facilitator speaking at the launch of Connections at Ennistymon Library

Under the expert guidance of author Debbie Thomas and illustrator Tatyana Feeney both of whom have successfully published and illustrated children’s books with Irish publishers and with assistance from Poetry Ireland, iBbY Ireland and Creative Ireland a seven week project was initiated and managed by Clare County Library.

To quote workshop facilitator and author Debbie Thomas, the workshop experience “was like dropping in on a lively and loving family. The friendship and laughter among the eleven children, mothers and sisters reflected the strong community born three years ago on their arrival in Ennistymon as part of the United Nations Resettlement Scheme.”

Connections is a compilation of written and illustrated stories in which the authors, children and adults, recall real places and experiences and imagine a bright future in Ireland and in particular in County Clare.


Jane O’Hanlon, Education Officer with Poetry Ireland and President of iBbY Ireland speaking at the launch of Connections at Ennistymon Library

The participants’ stories are enhanced by their own pictures co-ordinated by Tatyana Feeney. Like Debbie, Tatyana brought lots of fun to the project matching artwork to story, all the while engaging in a most convivial way with everyone in the group. The objectives of this latest library initiative in the Right to Read programme was to give space for each parent and child to connect and have fun together as a group as well as improving the participants’ oral literacy and writing in English.


Helen Sheridan, School Principal, Ennistymon National School speaking at the launch of Connections at Ennistymon Library

Wednesday 26 February 2020

Take A Closer Look - National Library Open Day, Saturday 29th February 2020.

On Saturday, February 29th, libraries around the country are taking part in the first ever National Library Open Day.

Our libraries are open most days of course, but on Saturday 29th we are issuing a special invitation to everyone in the country to come in and see everything that’s on offer. Libraries are open community spaces with lots going on for every one of all ages and interests. Library staff will be on hand to show how library membership allows you to borrow from 12 million items; choose from

  • box set option
  • get eBooks
  • audiobooks
  • eMagazines
  • eNewspapers
free and straight to your device, or try free online learning and language classes.

Come along to your local library on National Library Open Day to get a taste of the clubs, classes, exhibitions, activities and more on offer at your library. These are all free events and everyone is welcome. Spread the word!!

Clare County Library's Programme of Events for National Library Day:

DeValera Public Library, Ennis
- Consult the Book Doctor to discover other books you might like!
- Pop-up story time sessions - join in on one of our many pop-up story -times
- E- resources sessions - staff are on hand all day to answer your questions and demonstrate how they operate.

Ennistymon Public Library
- "Leap into the Library" on National Library Open Day. Come along during the day and learn about the full range of services available in your local library.
- E- resources information session from 12pm to 1pm

Sixmilebridge Public Library
- Local History talk with Michael McNamara 11am to 12pm
- Music session 12.00pm to 1.00pm
- Colouring & children's activity sheets available all day

Kilkee Public Library
- Children's Storytime at 10.30am.
- Children's film - Ferdinand - from 11.00am
- Local History Exhibition & meet with Local History Society members - all day

Killaloe Public Library
- Springtime Storytime & Crafts 11 am
- E-resources information session from 10am to 11am

Kilrush Public Library
- Story-time & craft session 11am to 12pm
- Local History Talk on Kilrush 12am to 1pm
- Discover library clubs with its members - members from 2 library book clubs & film clubs will be available throughout the day to discuss their respective groups.

Dr. Patrick J. Hillery Library, Miltown Malbay
- E- resources information session from 10am to 11am
- Story-time with Roisin Meaney from 11.30am.

Scariff Public Library
- Talk on Nutrition with Hilary Gleeson - a Healthy Ireland event 11.00am to 12.00pm
- Waterworks art exhibition by Alison Quaid

Seán Lemass Public Library, Shannon
E-resources sessions - staff are on hand all day to demonstrate the e-resources available to library members and to answer any questions any questions you may have about them.