Kathleen from Athlone Library reviews The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls. This is a memoir of a successful journalist's journey from the deserted mining towns of the American Southwest. Jeanette’s father was an intelligent man, but was an alcoholic unable to support his family. Her mother was an Artist, in her own world, and was […]
I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree (W.B. Yeats "The Lake Isle of Innisfree") And I said, let grief be a fallen leaf at the dawning of the day (Patrick Kavanagh "On Raglan Road") Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road (WALT WHITMAN “Song of the Open Road” ) Patchwork […]
Another example of a Patchwork Poem : Joyful are the thoughts of home (The wood-cutter’s night song – John Clare)Where the hay lies thick and greenest (A Boy’s song – James Hogg)A bee-hive’s hum shall soothe my ear (A wish – Samuel Rogers)What need have you to care (To a child dancing in the wind […]
Do you enjoy reading non-fiction books? Is history your favourite topic to delve into? In that case maybe the shortlist of this year's Wolfson History Prize will provide you with some new and engaging reading. This prize has been awarded annually for more than 40 years and recognises and celebrates books which combine excellence in […]
Poetry Ireland Day will be celebrated on the 29th April 2021, why not celebrate by creating a poem of your own? Maybe try a Patchwork Poem? A Patchwork poem, also known as a Cento poem, is one created out of other poems, or writings. Just as a patchwork quilt is assembled out of a collection […]
Every Monday in April we welcome Melissa Moore, play and arts therapist to Westmeath Libraries for a new video on sensory play. These videos are part of our Westmeath Libraries for All and you can watch them all on our facebook page. We started the month with Sensory Play and Gloop, and you'll need some […]
Ray from Kilbeggan Library reviews Dark Blue by Shane Carthy. Shane Carthy's journey over the last five years has seen it all. From the highs of Leinster glory in the Under 21 football final versus Meath in 2014 to the lows of waking up in St. Patrick's Mental Health Hospital a few days afterwards, a […]
The Hugo awards celebrate the world of science fiction and fantasy. Every year they are awarded at a convention that travels the world. Anyone who signs up to attend the yearly convention is a member and can nominate and vote on the winners. This year's nominees in have just been announced, Due to the current […]
You're invited to join Annemarie Ní Churreáin for a zoom cuppa & chat this evening (14 April 2021) at 7pm. We'll be meeting for an hour to read and discuss Pangur Bán, an Old Irish poem (9th century) by an Irish monk about his cat! We'll read Heaney's English translation here (and his translator's notes) And I'm delighted that book-club […]
Three authors have been shortlisted for this year's John McGahern Book Prize for debut Irish Fiction. Niamh Campbell for This Happy Cathy Sweeney for Modern Times Hilary Fannin for The Weight of Love (Borrow ebook) Under the current Covid-19 restrictions public libraries in Ireland are closed, but once we reopen you can request these titles […]