Diarmaid Ferriter’s new history of the Irish Civil War seeks to get at the human experience and day-to-day texture of the war and its aftermath. In Between Two Hells, combat itself is skimmed over quickly. Other books have dealt with the strictly military side of things, but Ferriter has other interests. He has delved into […]
Westmeath Libraries Bookclub has been meeting online on Zoom during lockdown. Our most recent meeting was held on 30th September where we discussed The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah (search the library catalogue or download the ebook/eAudio). There was a small turnout, but all the comments at the meeting and on our facebook group were very positive. […]
New books just arrived in the library on 6th July 2021 First off we have some children's books as we are right in the middle of our Summer Stars adventure! I stole my genius sister's brain by Jo Simmons - Request from the library or Download the ebook Pizazz by Sophy Henn - Request from […]
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 […]
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 […]
On the 25th of March we welcomed authors Martina Devlin & Éilís Ní Dhuibhne along to Westmeath Libraries for a virtual Meet the Author talk, in association with the Irish Writers Centre. And we were delighted to welcome visitors from near and far, including Sicily, Norwich, and Athlone. For those who couldn't make it to […]
Ireland Reads is a new campaign to get the whole country reading this month in the lead up to a national day of reading on Thursday, February 25th. Westmeath Libraries has teamed up with libraries nationwide, publishers, booksellers, authors and others for the campaign, which is part of the government’s Keep Well initiative and aims […]