Summer Stars runs from Tues 4 June to Sat 31 August. Get Reading! Now that school is over you can still spark your imagination, join in activities and take part in our exciting Summer Stars challenge.
For most of us, our world has temporarily shrunk to the four walls around us, and the streets and roads of our locality. As someone who loves to walk - on the beach, up a mountain, through the woods – I feel the loss of this freedom. I spoke to a good friend yesterday who lives in a cottage in rural Sligo. She can no longer visit the sea to swim and has taken to submerging herself in a container of icy water instead. It’s a poor substitute but it’s keeping her sane.I find my 2km walk around my neighbourhood is doing the same job for me. Every day, I take my two boys, and we walk the same route. We look at the daffodils and tulips that are popping up on the green. We notice the Dublin mountains in the distance and whether the clouds are covering their peaks. We admire the colourful paintings that children have stuck up in their windows. They bounce a football, rev their scooters and run on empty roads. I marvel at the signs of nature everywhere, even on these suburban streets. We pass their empty school which is eerily silent, and we fall silent too. There is something about walking. Something healing about putting one foot in front of the other and noticing our world around us. Here are some recommended memoirs and travel books on the (sometimes life-changing) power of walking.The Salt Path by Raynor WinnIn 2013, Raynor Winn and her husband became homeless. Their home was repossessed by bailiffs after a bad financial investment. At the same time, Raynor’s husband, Moth, was diagnosed with a terminal illness. Armed with a handful of cash, a tent, and 2 cheap sleeping bags, the couple in their fifties, decided to walk the South West coast path in England. They walked 630 miles from Somerset to Dorset; wild camping and surviving on pot noodles, cups of tea and the odd bag of chips. This inspirational memoir is a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the power of love. Nominated for the Costa book awards in 2019.Wild by Cheryl StrayedIn 1995, following the death of her mother and the breakdown of her marriage, 26-year-old Cheryl Strayed decided to hike part of the Pacific Crest Trail on the West Coast of America. Strayed, starting in the Mojave Desert, hiked 1100 miles through California and Oregon to Washington State. A novice hiker and woefully unprepared, she struggled to make it through the difficult terrain. Along the way, she was forced to face up to her inner ghosts and demons. This bestselling memoir was also adapted into a film of the same name starring Reese Witherspoon in 2014.A Walk in the Woods by Bill BrysonIf you feel like reading something funny in these dark days, Bill Bryson is your man. A Walk in the woods recounts the attempts of Bryson and his friend, Stephen Katz, to discover their wild side on the Appalachian Trail; a 2100 mile trail that runs from Georgia to Maine. Katz dreams of a nice meal and a warm bed, while Bryson focuses on staying alive. Their story was also made into a 2015 film of the same name, starring Robert Redford.Walking one step at a time by Erling KaggeFrom the author of “Silence: In the age of noise”; comes this beautiful meditation on walking and what it can do for our bodies and minds. Kagge, a Norwegian explorer and adventurer, was the first person to achieve the Three Poles Challenge – the North Pole, the South Pole and the summit of Everest.Submitted by Lara in Phibsboro Library. Access eBooks/eAudiobooks on your phone, tablet or reader. Once you have installed the app, search for Dublin in the ‘Library’ field provided and then sign in using your library membership card number and PIN.Members of other library authorities will need to access BorrowBox using a different link. Watch our how to video on Borrowbox.
Some more recommended reads on BorrowBox, this time from our colleague Brian.Common literary examples of nonfiction include expository, argumentative, functional, and opinion pieces; essays on art or literature; biographies; memoirs; journalism; and historical, scientific, technical, or economic writings (including electronic ones).The titles listed below are available on BorrowBox; see more on how to access BorrowBox at the bottom of this post.Limmy: Surprisingly Down To Earth and Very Funny. This autobiography from Scottish comedian Brian Limond (aka Limmy) is an extremely candid, hilarious look at his life, dealing with his adolescence in working class Glasgow, along with issues such as mental health, drug use, initial success and the peaks and troughs of life as a comedian. What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami. Part memoir, part training log, celebrated writer Haruki Murukami documents his training for the 2005 New York City Marathon, while reminiscing on his memories of writing and athletics.What I loved about this book is how Murukami successfully interconnects both the worlds of writing and athletics and vividly evokes the feelings and experiences that both these world can bring to us. David Bowie: The Last Interview and Other Conversations by Melville House/David Bowie. This collection of interviews with David Bowie (including his last) discusses everything from the creative process, and musical influences, to his spirituality, drug use and sexuality. The book gives frank and personal insights into how Bowie changed creatively and personally over a five-decade period. If you’re a huge Bowie fan, like me, or just have a passing interest, this is an essential read.Accessing BorrowBoxWatch our how-to video on Borrowbox. Access eBooks/eAudiobooks on your phone, tablet or reader. Once you have installed the app, search for Dublin in the ‘Library’ field provided and then sign in using your library membership card number and PIN.Members of other library authorities will need to access BorrowBox using a different link.
Our colleague Anne-Marie has some reading recommendations for you on the Irish War of Independence.The War of Independende was fought by the Irish Republican Army against the British forces between 1919 and 1921 when the fighting stopped while a peace treaty was worked out.The titles listed below are available on BorrowBox; see more on how to access BorrowBox at the bottom of this post.The Irish War of Independence by Michael HopkinsonHopkinson’s book on the Irish War of Independence is a concise and detailed account of the period. He offers an excellent breakdown of the conflict, including an analysis of how the war began and he provides an essential insight into the last years of the British administration in Ireland. He traces the development of the IRA guerrilla campaign in the country including an overview of the intelligence war conducted by Collins and how this penetrated the heart of Dublin Castle and civil service in Ireland. Hopkinson documents the activity of the IRA in the most active counties during the war and he complements this with the added international dimension, including the support provided through American sympathisers of the Republican movement.Overall this book provides an excellent and valuable account of the War of Independence in Ireland.The Irish Civil War: Law, Execution and Atrocity by Seán EnrightSean Enright’s account of law and execution during the civil war shines a new light on this dark period of Irish History. The author draws on military and legal documents to provide an excellent overview of individual cases of robbery, murder and gun possession. Most chapters are short but compact as Enright effectively conveys the chaos of civil war and how the new Irish administration dealt severely with those who continued to pose an armed threat to the nascent state.Enright covers the various military trials and exposes how the rule of law was often subverted by those who were responsible for upholding it. Some executions occurred without any trial at all and the author’s storytelling abilities provide a compelling read in this welcome addition to Irish Civil War historiography.Ireland’s War of Independence 1919-21 The IRA’s Guerrilla Campaign by Lorcan CollinsLorcan Collins’ overview of the Irish War of Independence details all the major events of the period from the beginning of the guerrilla campaign to the various ambushes and counter measures imposed by the British on Ireland during these years. The author captures some of the lesser known events of this period, such as a fireman who helped Republicans during the burning of the Customs House and the prison escapes that occurred often throughout the war.Collins’ book is an accessible account of the period and is a must read for those seeking a good overview of the Irish revolution.Prisoners of War Ballykinlar Internment Camp 1920-1921 by Liam O’ DuibhirIn this book, O’Dubhir traces the life of internees at Ballykinlar Camp from its opening at the height of the War of Independence December 1920 to the releases in 1921. Each chapter provides specific details of the internment experience, ranging from the monotony of camp life to the various activities undertaken by internees in an attempt to occupy their time. The author provides a detailed account of sporting events, art and drama activities and educational classes that occurred during the final year of the conflict. O’Duibhir also relates the internal strife within the camp including cases of ill treatment and the various escape attempts organised from within the camp by the prisoners.This book is a well-rounded account of internment in these troubling times.Accessing BorrowBoxWatch our how-to video on Borrowbox. Check out details of how to access eBooks/eAudiobooks on your phone, tablet or reader. Once you have installed the app, search for Dublin in the ‘Library’ field provided and then sign in using your library membership card number and PIN.Members of other library authorities will need to access BorrowBox using a different link.
We add hundreds of new books to our collections every month at Dublin City Libraries, including the most recent bestsellers. But how do you go about getting your hands on them?Well, if there's a specific new title you're looking for, the best way to see if it's available is to visit the online catalogue, reserve it and have it delivered to your local branch.But if you fancy a browse of the latest new titles and are willing to be struck by reading inspiration, then this blog is for you! Finding a new book to readWhile there's nothing quite like browsing the collection in your local library and stumbling across a gem, you may not be seeing the newest titles on the shelf in your local branch, purely because we have so many new books constantly in transit between branches and borrowers.Now, we could publish spreadsheets of hundreds of new titles each month, but as you're most likely carrying a significant mental load of 'not-to-be-missed' TV shows and 'essential-listening' podcasts in your head already, we've opted to take a different approach. We've decided to pick out just 10 new books from a variety of genres each month, to give you a flavour of the newest titles available to reserve.Maybe you'll see one you'd like, maybe you won't, but we hope they'll give you an insight into what's new in the publishing and reading world and are, of course, available to reserve online with your library card and PIN. Simply click on the book cover or title to be taken to the reserve page on the Libraries Ireland website.Needless to say, our greatest resource is the staff in our branch libraries, so don't be shy about asking them for a recommendation or to see what's new!Here's hoping inspiration strikes! Happy reading!10 New Non-Fiction Titles: November 20191. Gardening for the Zombie Apocalypse by Phil Clarke and Isabel LloydA grow-your-own guide that shows complete beginners how to grow enough of their own food to survive if/when Armageddon arrives and imports collapse! At any rate, you'll find out how to sow and grow 20 key crops, whether you have two pots, a patio or a whole allotment.2. Trials of the state: law and the decline of politics by Jonathan SumptionA Sunday Times Bestseller, Jonathan Sumption, Lord Sumption, is a British judge and historian who argues that the time has come to return some problems to the politicians in a time of political gridlock over legislation.3. The secret life of books: why they mean more than words by Tom MoleHow do you feel about books? Have you considered how books transform, evolve and still have the power to change our lives? Tom Mole's latest release aims to change how you think about books forever!4. Breaking and mending: a junior doctor's stories of compassion and burnout by Joanna CannonIn this memoir, Joanna Cannon shares her story of life as a junior doctor, a profession where weakness remains a taboo.5. Permanent Record by Edward SnowdenA name that really needs no introduction, in this book Edward Snowden shares for the first time the story of his life, including how he helped to build the system that he ultimately tried to bring down.6. Indoor edible garden by Zia AllawayFor many of us city dwellers, the prospect of owning a garden or allottment remains a distant dream. But home-grown plants are still a possibility - this book shows you how to grow herbs, fruit and vegetables that look good and taste better - all in your own home.7. North Korea Journal by Michael PalinIn May 2018, former Monty Python star and globetrotter Michael Palin spent two weeks in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, created a widely acclaimed TV documentary. This book, illustrated with colour photographs, tells the story behind that documentary.8. Elderhood: redefining aging, transforming medicine, reimagining life by Louise AronsonA New York Times bestseller and longlisted for the Carnegie, Elderhood is for anyone who is, in the author's own words, "an aging, i.e., still-breathing human being."9. The meritocracy trap by Daniel MarkovitsLaw professor Daniel Markovits debunks the prevalent idea that reward inevitabily follows ability and effort, and explores how we can take the first steps towards a world that might afford us both prosperity and dignity.10. World wonders: 50 of the world's most iconic structures by Michał GaszyńskiLearn the hidden sescrets of 50 unique structures that have shaped our world including the Eiffel Tower, Great Pyramids and Great Wall of China. Each structure is analysed in detail and includes architectural details, facts, symbols and infographics.
Welcome to the third entry in our blog series 'Lost in the Stacks' - recommendations by Dublin City Libraries staff exploring overlooked gems and helping you find your next read!Our entry today comes from one of our wonderful librarians, Jessica, and looks at some of the best essay collections in our libraries!Essay CollectionsIs there a greater joy than settling comfortably with a beverage of your choice and reading a well-crafted essay?There is a particular form of literary alchemy that takes place in the best essays - the fusion of the personal with social commentary combined with a stylistic elegance. Often offering a unique perspective on a cultural moment or a brief window into another world, a good essay has a habit of staying with you long after the pages have turned and the book is closed.Here is a selection of the very best essay collections for you to enjoy. If you'd like to borrow any of the books discussed below, simply click on the book cover or title to be taken to the reserves page, where you'll need your library card and PIN to request the book.1. Pulphead: dispatches from the other side of America by John Jeremiah SullivanPulphead is a fascinating collection of essays exploring pop culture and subcultures of American life fused with memoir and aspects from the writer’s own life. Written with a gentle wit and probing intelligence, it is hard to resist reading the entire collection in one go.2. Changing my mind: occasional essays by Zadie SmithThis is a fabulous collection of Zadie Smith’s book reviews, film reviews and non-fiction prose. Witty, honest and refreshing, it is a pleasure to dip in and out of.3. Naked by David SedarisDavid Sedaris has cornered the market in humorous memoir based essays. The stories here are sardonic, wry and darkly hilarious with a touch of pathos and just the right amount of hindsight and self-knowledge to balance the comic absurdity.4. Men explain things to me by Rebecca SolnitThe title essay of this book has gained iconic status since it was published but each of the essays in this book are powerful reminders of why we need feminism. Essential reading.5. This is the story of a happy marriage by Ann PatchettAnn Patchett is best known as a novelist but this book collects her earlier non-fiction articles. This is a fabulous collection of personal essays and memoir pieces that explore key moments in her life. Her writing is warm, engaging, and shining through with humour and kindness.
This year marks the centenary of the birth of Séamus Ennis, the renowned musician, singer, folklorist and broadcaster who left behind, to quote from one obituary, “a priceless heritage of Irish tradition to the nation”. Inspired by on-going centenary events taking place across Dublin and at the Séamus Ennis Arts Centre, this blog briefly examines Ennis’s final years and death. (The bronze statue of Séamus Ennis which was unveiled in Naul on 24th October 2001. Courtesy of the Séamus Ennis Arts Centre)In 1975 Ennis settled in The Naul to live out his remaining years on land which had once belonged to his grandparents. A countryman at heart, he felt a strong attachment for the area and christened the plot where he lived in a caravan ‘Easter Snow’ (after the slow air of that name which he was fond of playing). He played an important role in helping to revive interest in uilleann piping during the twentieth century. While he continued to perform across Ireland and sometimes further afield, Ennis’s health gradually deteriorated during the period and he underwent an operation for cancer of the throat. An able cook who could deal expertly with game, as his health continued failing it was noticed that he began to lose interest in food.On the afternoon of Tuesday, 5th October 1982, Ennis passed away at home during his sleep. He was 63 years old. No inquest was held into the death, with the post-mortem examination taking place the following day. On Thursday evening Ennis’s remains were then brought from St. Vincent’s Hospital, Elm Park, to the Church of the Nativity in Naul, with friends and neighbours standing in the rain for almost an hour to greet the cortege, which had been delayed in heavy traffic.The following morning Ennis was buried in the adjoining Naul Cemetery. Leading traditional musicians had crowded inside the tiny Naul church alongside neighbours for the funeral Mass performed by local curate Father Malachy J. Mahon, who also officiated at the graveside ceremony. After the recital of a decade of the Rosary in Irish, broadcaster Séan Mac Réamoinn delivered a bilingual funeral oration in which he spoke of Ennis’s sincerity, prowess as a piper, and fidelity to north County Dublin and Ireland. This was followed by a lament – “Cois Abhainn na Séad” – played by Liam O’Flynn (Liam Óg Ó Floinn) on a set of uilleann pipes given to him by his deceased friend and mentor. (An uilleann piper at a Dublin Street Carnival in College Green, 1984. Available at;http://digital.libraries.dublincity.ie/vital/access/manager/Repository/vital:42327)Since his death efforts have been made to keep Ennis’s memory alive. These include the renaming of a section of Jamestown Road (Finglas) in his honour in 1994, and unveiling of a bronze statue of Ennis with uilleann pipes in hand beside the newly opened Séamus Ennis Cultural Centre (now the Séamus Ennis Arts Centre) in Naul seven years later. On Friday 3rd May, a new Dublin City Council ‘Séamus Ennis Commemorative Plaque’ will be unveiled in Finglas at the site of Burgess Galvin & Co. Ltd., Jamestown Road.Dr. James Curry, Historian in Residence, North West Area.Dublin City Council Historians in Residence are available to meet groups and schools, give talks, walks etc, run history book clubs and advise on historical research.
Dublin supported James II at the Battle of the Boyne, but following his defeat by William III, a protestant ascendancy resumed control of the city and began to forge links with the new and successful monarchy. This process intensified after the death of Mary II in 1695 left William III as sole monarch. Dublin Corporation added William’s arms to the City Sword; in 1697 and in the following year, the king presented a chain of office to the Lord Mayor of Dublin, carrying the monarch’s bust on a medallion, which is in use to this day.
The Battle of the Somme was the largest and bloodiest battle fought on the Western Front during World War I. It was fought between 1 July and 18 November 1916 and left more than 1 million men wounded or killed on both sides, including 3,500 Irish men (read some of their stories as recorded in the RDFA Archive). In our minds, the Somme signifies the horror of war especially the inexorable hardship, suffering and futility of trench warfare.Image: Detail from DCLA/RDFA1.09.047A "War 1914-15-16... in the Somme French Offensive Relieving the trenches at Dompierre" (see larger image).If you would like to read about the Battle of the Somme we have compiled this short reading list. The Somme Stations. Novel by Andrew Martin. Detective Sergeant Jim Stringer who joined the North Eastern Railway Battalion at the start of the war, now finds himself at the front during the Battle of the Somme. Jim and his fellow soldiers are responsible for operating important trains carrying munitions.Birdsong. Novel by Sebastian Faulks. Account of the first day of the battle. See also Philip Martin's TV adaptation of Birdsong starring Eddie RedmayneObserve the sons of Ulster marching towards the Somme. Play by Frank McGuinness.Harry Clarke's War: Illustrations 1914-1918 by Marguerite Helmers. Examines Harry Clarke’s beautiful engravings, of great historical significance, for Ireland’s Memorial Records – the Roll of Honour of Ireland’s First World War Dead. (The Roll of Honour can be accessed via Findmypast, a family history database, available in the Reading Room)The Face of Battle by John Keegan. Detailed analysis of the Battle of the Somme from renowned military historian John KeeganFather Browne's First World War by E.E. O'Donnell. Photographs by Irish Jesuit and prolific photographer Francis Browne. Browne was chaplain to the Irish Guards from 1916 - 1920, serving at the Battle of the Somme and at Locre, Wytschaete, Messines Ridge, Paschendaele, Ypres, Amiens and Arras in Flanders.The Road to the Somme: Men of the Ulster Division tell their story by Philip OrrAn Illustrated Introduction to the Somme 1916 by Robert ParkerThe First Day on the Somme by Martin MiddlebrookBelfast Boys: How Unionists and Nationalists fought and died together in the First World War by Richard Grayson. The story of men from either side of West Belfast’s sectarian divide who went to fight in the Great War, including the volunteers of the 36th and 16th divisions who fought on the Somme. Listen to Richard Grayson's 'Belfast Boys' talk from Festival of History 2015.We have many more books on the subject of the Somme available.The Central Library book display for July is 'Ireland - The Great War - The Somme'.
The Mansion House Dublin, 300 Years of History and Hospitality
A year–long series of events to mark the tercentenary of Dublin’s Mansion House culminated on 14 December 2015 with the launch of a beautiful book The Mansion House, Dublin 300 years of History and Hospitality edited by City archivist Dr Mary Clark.
101 things you thought you knew about the Titanic.
The book "101 things you thought you knew about the Titanic.... but didn't" is a fascinating study of some of the myths and half-truths that have arisen since that fateful morning of April 15th 1912. (Growing up in Cobh, I reckon I've heard 99 of them!) Author Tim Matlin dispels many of these popular legends using primary sources such as the US Inquiry and the British Inquiry, both of 1912. He also shows that many of these stories are indeed true. The myths are neatly separated into categories such as: The Ship, Omens, Passengers, Collision, S.O.S etc.Below are a few examples to whet your appetite:Titanic was genuinely believed to be unsinkable. This is true as she was designed to stay afloat with any of her two watertight compartments flooded. The glancing blow Titanic received from the iceberg was not foreseen, as it had never happened before according to maritime records.Titanic was filled to capacity on her maiden voyage. False; she was about half full carrying 1,308 passengers out of a total capacity of 2,603.If Titanic had struck the iceberg head-on, she would not have sunk. This is true according to evidence given by Edward Wilding, one of Titanic's designers. He cited the case of the Arizona, which 34 years previously hit an iceberg head-on and survived. Titanic's bows would have been crushed in for 80 or 100 feet but she would have remained afloat according to Wilding. Titanic broke in half as she sank. Yes. This was not discovered until 1985 when her wreck was found on the seabed. Her bow section lay 650 metres North of her stern section.More women were saved from the Titanic than men. False. 338 men were saved and 316 women. This is because only about 25% of the people (passengers and crew) were women.You can find more books on the Titanic in our catalogue.