Once upon a time in a land far far way (1884 in Thomas Street and Capel Street to be precise) Dublin's first two municipal public libraries were opened. And now, 150 years later, you're using QR codes and phones to open our website.
To show just how far we've come, we’re inviting you to check out our ebooks, audiobooks, eMagazines and eNewspapers. All for free through BorrowBox.
Whether you're already a member, or new to our libraries, everyone is welcome to explore our fantastic eResources.
Health care workers get free copy of #1dublin1book
Dublin City Libraries have put together a range of free online public events throughout the month of April which will see author Rónán Hession take part in public discussions, interviews and live webinars. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic these events will take place online.
Highly worthy of its place on the 2021 Dublin Literary Award Longlist, this début novel by Canadian author Nathaniel Lande (nominated by the Hungarian Katona József Library of Bács-Kiskun County), is a notable addition to the Holocaust fiction canon.
The Central Library are hosting a new series by Dublin City Council Historian in Residence Dr Mary Muldowney which takes a look at retail streets like Henry Street and how they have changed over the last 100 years or so.
2021 Dublin Literary Award Longlist of Library Nominations
Dublin City Council announces 2021 Dublin Literary Award Longlist of Library Nominations. Four novels from Ireland are among the 49 books nominated by libraries around the world for the 2021 Dublin Literary Award, which is sponsored by Dublin City Council.
An appreciation of Dublin UNESCO City of Literature Lecture 2021
I logged on to Professor Chris Morash’s, “Knocking Nelson off His Pillar: Writers and the meaning of Statues,” the third Annual Dublin UNESCO City of Literature Lecture 2021 introduced by Dr Mary Clarke, Dublin City Archivist and these are some of my thoughts.
Our libraries are not merely places where people borrow books. They are places of learning, informal and formal, conversation (yes, really) and exchange of ideas. Many of our libraries facilitate the learning of history through local history talks, reading groups and promotional events. We know that these remain popular, and we hope to be able to facilitate them once our doors are open again. In the meantime, we have dug around for some documentaries and lectures to whet the appetite of history lovers. These are all freely available, some on our very own resources, and some on other brilliant platforms that are open to all. This is just a selection however. There are countless eBooks, audiobooks, magazines and lectures available on RBDigital, Borrowbox, Freegal and The Great Courses covering loads of aspects of Irish History and World History.‘Ireland in Rebellion, 1782-1916’ – Trinity College Dublin (2015)This lecture series was created by staff at Trinity College Dublin and made freely available online ahead of the centenary remembrance of the 1916 rebellion. It is available through Trinity College Dublin’s YouTube channel. Originally delivered over 14 weeks, it offers 69 lectures, each between 10-20 minutes long. They chart the creation of modern Ireland from the Constitution of 1782 up until the 1916 rising and its immediate aftermath. It covers much in between, the impact of the French Revolution in Ireland, the 1798 rebellion, Act of Union, Robert Emmet, Daniel O’Connell and Catholic Emancipation, Parnell, Home Rule, Ulster Unionism and the Rise of Irish Nationalism. For anyone interested in Modern Irish history, this delivers in-depth coverage in concise and easily digestible form.The Irish Revolution – RTÉ Documentary Series (2019)This was a major documentary project commissioned by RTÉ to commemorate the centenary of the Irish War of Independence. Only broadcast in 2019, it is available to watch on the RTÉ player. There are 3 episodes, each 50 minutes long which detail the causes of conflict, the formation of a first Dáil and the process which ended in the Anglo-Irish Treaty in 1921.Alive Alive O : A Requiem For Dublin – Sé Merry Doyle (1999) IFI PlayerThe IFI player is worth checking out for loads of interesting documentaries on aspects of Irish history and heritage. You could easily lose hours on this brilliantly curated resource. We’ve picked one for those local for some very local history. Sé Merry Doyle’s documentary chronicles some of the unique people and places of Dublin as the city and its spaces changed over the course of the 1980s. It features remarkable interviews with real Dublin people on how these changes impacted them on a personal level. Look out for footage of a very young U2 and Tony Gregory. The Irish Identity: Independence, History, and Literature - Professor Marc C. Conner, Ph.D. Washington and Lee University.The Great Courses (RB Digital)The onset of the 20th Century saw the Irish Renaissance or Irish Revival occur; a time in which Irish identify, cultural and artistic traditions and renewed nationalist pride awake. Prof. Marc O'Connor explores how art and politics intertwined in the creation of this Irish Identity, all against the backdrop of centuries of British Rule and at a time of enormous national upheaval. Delivered across 36 lectures, this is available to Dublin City Council Library Card holders through the Great Courses on RBDigital.Register for RB Digital and watch our how to video here.Submitted by Peter in Pembroke Library.
John McGahern’s Dublin: the 23rd Annual Sir John T. Gilbert Commemorative Lecture will take place on Thursday 23rd January 2020 at 6pm.The lecture will be presented by Professor Frank Shovlin, University of Liverpool, at Dublin City Library & Archive, 138-144 Pearse Street, Dublin 2,John McGahern is often thought of as Ireland's quintessential chronicler of rural life, a writer who, through his Leitrim and Roscommon roots, helped to represent the delicate facets of the countryside more accurately than any writer since Patrick Kavanagh.From Howth of The Leavetaking, to Drumcondra and Contarf of The Pornographer or the city centre pubs of High Ground, he lovingly recreated the city he knew, first as a student teacher and in later years as a mature writer. The lecture will examine moments from the published fiction as well as considering an extensive unpublished correspondence that allows us access to McGahern's social networks and his motivations and preoccupations as he develops into one of the greatest writers of fiction in the post-war era.Reception to follow. No Booking Required. Come early to ensure a place. Further information: 01 674 4999 or [email protected] or [email protected]
October was a busy month at Ballymun Library for children’s activities with many events organised in conjunction with Children’s Book Festival 2019 and Stemsational Saturdays’ activities for 8 to 12 year olds to name but a few.This time of year wouldn’t be complete without the Library’s dedicated Hallowe’en storytelling sessions for 0 to 4 year olds. These took place on the 29th of October at 10am and 11am, respectively. Most of the attendees dressed up for the occasion and had a spooktacular time.Millie Donnelly dressed as a witch at the Baby/Wobbler Hallowe’en Book Club. At the baby session, the book ‘Spot’s Spooky Fun’ by Eric Hill was read by Maria Sheahan (Librarian). Eric Hill has written many stories for babies including ‘Spot Says Goodnight’ and ‘Spot Goes to School’. This is a lovely story for babies and wobblers where Spot has the difficult task of deciding which costume he should wear for Hallowe’en. The group was captivated proving this story is a perfect Hallowe’en read for young babies. The Toddlers heard the story ‘Usborne Noisy Spooky Book’. As you can see from the photos, this book is always a big hit with small children! Isabella Forsyth is the dashing pumpkin and Amelia Sweeney is batgirl. They love hearing the creepy sound effects that go with the story and it’s a fun choice for grown-ups to read! Hallowe’en rhymes were also taught to the children after each storytelling session. Finally, toys and sweet treats were provided to complete the sessions.Ballymun Library’s Book Clubs for Younger Children will continue on a weekly basis on Tuesdays during November and early December. The Baby/Wobbler Book Club (0 to 2 Year Olds) runs from 10.00am to 10.45am and the Toddler Book Club (2 Year Olds to pre-school age) runs from 11.00am to 11.45am. No advance booking is necessary.Join us each week in making family reading a magical and fun experience!