In 2023 Kilbeggan Library continued to explore strange new worlds with our Science Fiction Book Club. At our last meeting of the year, one of our members said: ‘Everyone thinks Science Fiction is just battles in space and laser guns, all Star Wars and Star Trek.’ ‘Not that there’s anything wrong with that,’ another member […]
Text by Gearoid O'Brien, photography by Paul Moore Cumann na mBán Bridge In 1968 Westmeath County Council commissioned a traffic study from Transportation Planning Associates (TPA) of Birmingham, to analyse the existing traffic in Athlone and to make projections regarding future traffic. TPA recommended that an East-West Relief Road was needed and concluded that it […]
As we move into the colder months of the year, our demand for energy rises. The Home Energy Saving Kit by Codema is an easy way to measure your energy usage and discover practical ways that you might be able to reduce your bills. The kits are available to borrow from Mullingar Library and Aidan […]
On the 6th October Roderic O’ Gorman, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and Heather Humphreys, Minister for Rural and Community Development announced the First 5 Little Book at Bedtime initiative, in collaboration with public libraries and the Local Government Management Agency. Free bedtime story books and library card wallets are available at […]
Do you know it’s never too early to start the reading habit? Westmeath Libraries is committed to supporting families in building their reading confidence and instilling a love of reading for fun. A new Reading to your Baby guide has been launched with partners from Westmeath County Childcare Committee, Westmeath Community Development’s Empowering Communities Programme […]
HANNA GREALLY, Author: was born in Athlone in 1925. She grew up in Pearse Street, and was a popular and happy young girl. At nineteen she was admitted to St Loman’s Hospital in Mullingar and remained there until she negotiated her own release in 1962 having agreed to go into the care of Coolamber Manor, […]
The launch of the 'Memories' Oral History Project by Athlone Community Services Council CLG took place at the Aidan Heavey Library, Athlone on Tuesday 3rd October from 4 - 6pm. The project, completed over the course of a number of months, records the oral history memories of older people living in the Athlone area. After […]
On 2nd October 1848 the first train pulled into Mullingar Station heralding an entirely new way to travel and conduct commerce for the inhabitants of Mullingar and its environs. Over the next 175 years, trains became an integral part of the town’s transport network with the rest of the country while creating employment and trade. […]
LEO DALY, Writer, Photographer and Broadcaster: was born in Mullingar in Mullingar in 1920. Leo Daly’s contribution to the literary and cultural life of Mullingar was enormous. In the 1950s and 60s he wrote several plays which were widely produced. A keen Joycean scholar Leo wrote two books and several articles dealing with James Joyce […]
It was up, up and away for our Crafternoon at Aidan Heavey Library last week. The children made hot air balloons! They turned out beautifully and each child made their own unique creation with different decorations and colours on the balloon. We were delighted to welcome our first cat to the group. Despite being tired […]