Clare Libraries

24/10/2026

Clare and America—from the Famine to Parnell

In the 50 years after the Famine, half of those born in Ireland ended up somewhere else, two thirds of them in the USA; more women than men emigrated.
What was the experience of those who emigrated from County Clare?

History Ireland editor Tommy Graham discusses this with Kieran Grace (Mary Immaculate College), Kyle Kusch (Kerby A. Miller Collection, University of Galway), Jane Halloran Ryan (Oral History Archive, Mary Immaculate College) and Bernadette Whelan (University of Limerick).

🎙️ Listen back to the live recording of the History Ireland Hedge School, held as part of Clare Libraries History Week at De Valera Library, Ennis. Recorded live on 7 October 2026, this engaging discussion is now available at the link below.

www.historyireland.com/podcast-channel and https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/history-ireland/id1503109266 or wherever you get your podcasts.

With thanks to History Ireland.

23/10/2026

23/10/2026

Dr. Davor Vidiš, Croatian Ambassador to Ireland, visited Lisdoonvarna National school today where he met the students and was presented with the Lisdoonvarna GAA jersey. 🇭🇷🇮🇪🇪🇺 2026eu

23/10/2026

📚✨ Children’s Book Festival 2026 at Clare Libraries ✨📚

It has been another fantastic week of Children’s Book Festival events across Clare Libraries!

🐻🧹 The Teddy on a Broomstick by Barking Dog Theatre Company was a huge hit at De Valera Library, with Senior Infants and First Class pupils enjoying a fun-filled morning of entertainment and laughter.

📖 Author Niamh Donnellan delighted young audiences at both Kilkee and Miltown Malbay Libraries with readings from her excellent book, Little Irish History Heroes, children asked lots of questions and afterwards created fantastic crowns.

📖 Author Laura Keohane, a Shannon native, facilitated an engaging workshop at Shannon Library for 3rd and 4th Class pupils from St. Senan’s NS, who thoroughly enjoyed the session. In Ennis, 4th, 5th and 6th classes from Ennis Educate Together met Laura at the De Valera Library and learned all about the craft of storytelling.

📖5th Class from Sixmilebridge National School had a fantastic time at author, Dave Rudden's, MASTER OF MONSTERS workshop at Sixmilebridge Library. Dave also travelled to Shannon Library where he met 5th class of St Conaires National School.

A big thank you to all the authors, performers, schools and children who helped make these events so special! 💛

22/10/2026

Ger Browne launched his book “Éire in WWII” on Tuesday the 20th of October, in the De Valera Library in Ennis.

The event was a great success on the night.

22/10/2026

Time to stock up on books for the Bank Holiday weekend📚🗞👀!

Clare Libraries will be closed on Saturday 24 October until Monday 26 October inclusive.

Normal opening hours resume on Tuesday 27 October.

While our branches may be closed, our online resources are available 24/7.
Contact your local library if you require help to set up any of our online resources such as BorrowBox for eBooks, eAudiobook, eMagazines and eNewspapers.

Maybe check out our free online courses with Universal Class or start learning a new language with Transparent Languages.

For information about 📱, click the link here👉https://clarelibraries.ie/services/ebooks/

For details about free online courses with Universal Class, click the link here👉https://clarelibraries.ie/services/online-courses/

For details about free online language courses with Transparent Languages, click the link here👉https://clarelibraries.ie/services/online-languages/

21/10/2026

Join Ryan Dennis in Ennistymon library this Friday, 23 October at 4pm. Ryan will be discussing his book Barn Gothic. 📚
This is a FREE event and all are welcome.

20/10/2026

🎃 Halloween Events at Clare Libraries 🎃

Get ready for a spooktacular week at Clare Libraries! From Halloween storytimes and crafts to fun family activities, there's something for everyone to enjoy in the lead-up to Halloween.🧙 Dressing up in your favourite Halloween costume optional!

📍Shannon Library
🎃Tuesday 27 October, 3.00pm - 3.45pm
Halloween Storytime & Craft Session (ages 3-6)
Booking essential, please contact Shannon Library at 061 364266 or [email protected].

🎨Wednesday 28 October, 3.00pm - 4.00pm
Creepy Crafts with Jess (ages 7-11)
Booking essential, please contact Shannon Library at 061 364266 or [email protected].

👻 Thursday 29 October, 10.00am - 5.00pm
Spooky Halloween Hunt (ages 6-11)
All welcome.

🎬 Friday 30 October, 11.00am - 12.00pm
Halloween Short Movie Screening & Colouring Time (ages 3-7)
All welcome.

📍 Ennis Library
🎃Halloween Storytime & Mini-Craft (ages 3-7)
📅 Tuesday 27 October 2026, 3.00pm - 3.45pm
Book here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/clarelibraries/2485014

📍 Ennistymon Library
🎃Halloween Storytime and Craft Session (ages 5+)
📅 Tuesday 27 October 2026, 4.00pm - 5.00pm
Booking essential, please contact Ennistymon Library at tel: 065 7071245 or email: [email protected].

📍Newmarket-on-Fergus Library
🎨Halloween Craft for Kids
📅 Wednesday 28 October 2026, 3.00pm - 4.00pm
All welcome.

📍Sixmilebridge Library
🎃Halloween Storytime & Craft
📅 Thursday 29 October 2026, 3.00pm - 4.00pm
All welcome.

📍Newmarket-on-Fergus Library
🎬Halloween Movie at the Library
📅 Thursday 29 October 2026, 3.00pm - 4.00pm
Settle in for a spooktacular movie screening at the library! All welcome.

📍Miltown Malbay Library
📚Storytime with author Roisin Meaney (ages 3-6)
📆Saturday 31 October 2026, 11:00am – 11:30am
All welcome.

Visit www.clarelibraries.ie or contact your local branch for more information.

20/10/2026

Lisdoonvarna Library Delayed Opening

We wish to advise that Lisdoonvarna Library will open later than usual at 10.30am on Wednesday 21 October.

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your understanding.

20/10/2026

Join us for the final talk of Seachtain na Staire / History Week 2026 at Kilrush Library.

The Effect of the Famine on the Irish Language with Críostóir Mac Cárthaigh
📍 Kilrush Library
📅 Tuesday 20 October
🕡 6.30pm

Discover how the Great Famine impacted the Irish language and its speakers in this fascinating talk by Críostóir Mac Cárthaigh.

For more information, please email [email protected]. All are welcome.