Author Martina Devlin joined Waterford City and County Librarian Mary Conway for the first Writers at Waterford Libraries event of 2025 in Central Library on March 29th to discuss her latest book Charlotte and writing life.
Martina Devlin is an author and newspaper columnist. She has written nine novels, two non-fiction books, two plays and a collection of short stories. Her latest novel, Charlotte, explores Charlotte Brontë’s Irish connections. Other novels include Edith about the Irish R.M. co-author Edith Somerville; and The House Where It Happened about a mass witchcraft trial in Co Antrim in 1711, which led to a plaque being erected to commemorate those convicted following a campaign she initiated.
Her work has won many prizes including the Royal Society of Literature’s V.S. Pritchett Prize and a Hennessy Literary Award, and she has been shortlisted three times for the Irish Book Awards. Martina writes a weekly current affairs column for the Irish Independent, and her journalism has also won acclaim including being named National Newspapers of Ireland commentator of the year, among other journalism prizes. She holds a PhD in literary practice from Trinity College Dublin and is currently a judge on the Dublin Literary Award.
Martina enthralled the audience of almost 80 people in Central Library with the stories of her research into Charlotte Bronte and the background to the book. She gave a very interesting insight into the life of Charlotte and her Irish husband Arthur Bell Nicols as well as recounting detail of the second marriage of Arthur to his cousin Mary Bell.
Mary Conway, Waterford City and County Librarian said, “It was an absolute pleasure to engage Martina Devlin in conversation about her work and it was clear to me how interested the audience were by their complete attention throughout the whole event.”
Waterford Libraries are delighted to welcome Martina Devlin to Central Library at 3pm on Saturday 29th of March as part of the Writers at Waterford Libraries programme of events for 2025.
Martina is an award-winning author and newspaper columnist known to us all. She has written nine novels, two non-fiction books, two plays and a collection of short stories. A former Fleet Street journalist, Martina has been writing weekly current affairs columns for the Irish Independent for many years. She chairs literary and current affairs events and regularly commentates on BBC and RTE!
Her latest novel, Charlotte, explores Charlotte Brontë’s Irish connections and marriage to an Irishman. Prizes include the Royal Society of Literature’s V.S. Pritchett Prize and a Hennessy Literary Award, and she has been shortlisted three times for the Irish Book Awards. Martina writes a weekly current affairs column for the Irish Independent for which she has been named National Newspapers of Ireland commentator of the year, among other journalism prizes. She holds a PhD in literary practice from Trinity College Dublin and is currently a judge on the Dublin Literary Award.
This is a Free Event, but booking is required. Please contact Central Library on 051 849975 for bookings and further information.
The series of writer events aims to unite readers and writers through free, accessible events in their local library branches.
More information on Martina’s event here: https://waterfordlibraries.ie/author-event-martina-devlin-in-central-library-saturday-29th-march/
Lismore Library, in partnership with Waterford Sports Partnership and Healthy Waterford, is pleased to announce the launch of its Play Packs loan scheme designed to foster creativity, learning, and fun for young children in the community.
The Play Packs, carefully curated, contain a variety of engaging toys, games, and sporting equipment suitable for children of various ages. From toys and building blocks to puzzles and imaginative play sets, these packs are designed to spark curiosity and encourage play.
The launch event was attended by local councillors, library staff, Waterford Sports Partnership’s Active Cities Officer Lauren Walsh Kett, and Eoin Morrissey from Healthy Waterford, who have been delivering the Playful Communities (Streets) programme over the last number of years.
The launch of Lismore Library’s Play Packs was met with resounding enthusiasm from elected members in the community. Cllr. John Pratt praised the initiative as a testament to the library’s dedication to young residents, highlighting the invaluable learning opportunities through play, while Cllr. Donnchadh Mulcahy emphasised the packs’ role in fostering inclusivity and essential skill development, commending the library staff’s dedication.
Cllr. Niamh O’Donovan expressed her delight at the new resource, recognising its potential to provide more opportunities for families and organisations in the area to arrange community play days.
Debbie Johnston and Alan Butler explained the inspiration behind the Play Packs and their hopes for the initiative. Debbie Johnson remarked, “This adds to our library’s offerings to the community. We have seen the popularity of the Playful Communities project over the years and wanted to enable libraries to become a service to offer these packs to the community for loan.”
Alan Butler added, “In consultation with Waterford Sports Partnership and Healthy Waterford, we carefully selected the items in each Play Pack to ensure they are age-appropriate and aligned with early childhood development principles. Our goal is to provide resources that encourage creativity, problem-solving, and social interaction. We are excited to see how these packs will inspire and engage the children of Lismore and West Waterford.”
This initiative also builds upon the valuable work of the Playful Streets and Communities program run by Waterford Sports Partnership and Waterford City and County Council over the last number of years, in which over 80 individual communities throughout Waterford city and county participated.
The Play Packs will be available for borrowing by library members or local community groups. For further information, contact Lauren Walsh Kett at lwalshkett@waterfordsportspartnership.ie or Eoin Morrissey at eoinmorrissey@waterforcouncil.ie.
Waterford Libraries are delighted to welcome Martina Devlin to Central Library at 3pm on Saturday 29th of March as part of the Writers at Waterford Libraries programme of events for 2025.
Martina is an award-winning author and newspaper columnist known to us all. She has written nine novels, two non-fiction books, two plays and a collection of short stories. A former Fleet Street journalist, Martina has been writing weekly current affairs columns for the Irish Independent for many years. She chairs literary and current affairs events and regularly commentates on BBC and RTE!
Her latest novel, Charlotte, explores Charlotte Brontë’s Irish connections and marriage to an Irishman. Prizes include the Royal Society of Literature’s V.S. Pritchett Prize and a Hennessy Literary Award, and she has been shortlisted three times for the Irish Book Awards. Martina writes a weekly current affairs column for the Irish Independent for which she has been named National Newspapers of Ireland commentator of the year, among other journalism prizes. She holds a PhD in literary practice from Trinity College Dublin and is currently a judge on the Dublin Literary Award.
This is a Free Event, but booking is required. Please contact Central Library on 051 849975 for bookings and further information.
The series of writer events aims to unite readers and writers through free, accessible events in their local library branches.
More information on Martina’s event here: https://waterfordlibraries.ie/author-event-martina-devlin-in-central-library-saturday-29th-march/
The initiative, in partnership with Waterford Libraries, Garter Lane Arts Centre and Waterford Healing Arts (part of Réalta), was implemented to bring comfort, joy, and emotional support to families with newborns in the Neonatal Unit UHW.
The children’s book trolley will contribute towards a nurturing and supportive environment for both infants and their families. Designed to bring a sense of normalcy and comfort during a challenging time, the trolley will provide families with the opportunity to read aloud to their babies, share stories, and create meaningful memories.
The book trolley was specially curated by Waterford Libraries in partnership with Garter Lane Arts Centre staff, with funding from the Well Festival of Arts & Wellbeing used to purchase a variety of children’s books, to help parents and family’s bond with their babies during their time in the Neonatal Unit.
This collaboration highlights the community’s commitment to supporting the well-being of babies and families facing the challenges of neonatal care.
Julie Moriarty, Clinical Nurse Manager 2 at the Neonatal Unit UHW, said, “When the idea for the trolley was introduced to us by the collaborative partnership, we recognised the invaluable opportunity this would present, to provide moments of peace, connection, and warmth to families during their time here. I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for the incredible new initiative that has been introduced to the Neonatal Unit, to foster bonding between babies and parents through reading books aloud during a time that can be emotionally taxing for them. This initiative will contribute significantly to the well-being of families, and we deeply appreciate the positive impact we have already started to witness and expect to evolve over the coming months.”
Mary Conway, City and County Librarian & Head of Culture, Waterford Libraries added, “We are delighted to support the new book trolley initiative at University Hospital Waterford’s Neonatal Unit. This meaningful initiative will foster a love of reading in both parents and babies and promote shared reading experiences while also promoting early literacy.
“This initiative is especially close to our hearts, highlighting the role of libraries in creating supportive environments for families. We hope the book trolley will provide comfort and inspire parents to bond with their babies. It’s a wonderful example of how libraries can serve as valuable resources for communities.
“Our Library service looks forward to continuing support for parents and babies who graduate from the Neonatal Unit, helping them maintain the journey of connection and learning as they move forward. We hope this initiative will inspire a lifelong love of reading and strengthen family bonds through storytelling.”
Sandra Kelly of Garter Lane Arts Centre was deeply passionate about exploring this initiative, driven by her own personal experiences and a heartfelt commitment to making a difference.
Sandra said, “Earlier in 2024, my little boy, Alex, spent six weeks in the NICU and SCUBU in Waterford after being transferred from Holles Street. During our brief stay in Dublin, we found solace in the beautifully illustrated books available in the parents’ room, which we read to Alex every day. These books became a source of comfort and connection in a time fraught with uncertainty and anxiety. Once we returned to Waterford, we continued this ritual, exploring a book of poetry together, focusing on one poem each day.
“As the Visual Arts and Education Manager at Garter Lane, I am deeply passionate about the transformative power of illustration and the written word. Inspired by our experience in the Neonatal Unit and the invaluable support we received, I felt compelled to give back.
“In my search for ways to make a difference, I connected with Breda O’Shea from Waterford Libraries, who, coincidentally, was exploring a similar initiative. Recognising the potential for collaboration, we eagerly joined forces. With the invaluable support of Jessica Griffin from Waterford Libraries as well as Waterford Healing Arts, we were thrilled to bring our vision to life. This project would not have been possible without the outstanding partnership of Waterford Libraries, Waterford Healing Arts, and the dedicated staff at the Neonatal Unit Waterford, whose commitment and support have been truly inspiring.”
Claire Meaney, Director of Waterford Healing Arts (part of Réalta) added, “We are delighted to be part of this invaluable collaboration with Waterford Libraries and Garter Lane Arts Centre. The book trolley for the Neonatal Unit fits perfectly with our aim to bring arts experiences to the bedsides of patients at University Hospital Waterford (UHW) and other healthcare settings to reduce anxiety and stress for patients, family members and staff, and to ‘soften’ the clinical environment. We look forward to continued partnership in this initiative and the many positive experiences this trolley will bring to families during their stay in the Neonatal Unit.”
This initiative reflects the profound impact of community support, the emotional comfort of reading, and the invaluable benefits of the book trolley in the Neonatal Unit. By providing families with access to carefully curated books, this initiative fosters connection, comfort, and moments of respite during a challenging time.
Join Jan Carson and Dymphna Nugent as they discuss the Raptures – Jan’s third novel set in an Evangelical Protestant community in rural Northern Ireland during the summer of 1993.
It is a world Jan knows inside out but it may be unfamiliar to some of you who will be reading and orientating yourselves about Ballyhack and the strange works of Hannah Adger. Since its creation a century ago, perceptions of Northern Ireland have often been dominated by stories of conflict and political unrest. But as anyone who lives there or who has visited knows, it is a picture that’s far from complete. This is your opportunity to explore with the author the idiosyncrasies of the everyday, hidden histories and untold stories, which outsiders rarely get to hear about.
Creative Communities on a Shared Island, funded by Creative Ireland, is a joint two-year initiative between Waterford City and County Council and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to develop and enhance our shared sense of community through the lens of creativity in areas such as heritage, literature and the arts.
Join Jan Carson and Dymphna Nugent as they discuss the Raptures – Jan’s third novel set in an Evangelical Protestant community in rural Northern Ireland during the summer of 1993.
It is a world Jan knows inside out but it may be unfamiliar to some of you who will be reading and orientating yourselves about Ballyhack and the strange works of Hannah Adger. Since its creation a century ago, perceptions of Northern Ireland have often been dominated by stories of conflict and political unrest. But as anyone who lives there or who has visited knows, it is a picture that’s far from complete. This is your opportunity to explore with the author the idiosyncrasies of the everyday, hidden histories and untold stories, which outsiders rarely get to hear about.
Creative Communities on a Shared Island, funded by Creative Ireland, is a joint two-year initiative between Waterford City and County Council and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council to develop and enhance our shared sense of community through the lens of creativity in areas such as heritage, literature and the arts.
Waterford City and County Libraries and Waterford City and County Archives will host the Virtual Treasury Roadshow – a chance for people to learn about their local history in this exciting new online resource.
When the Public Record Office of Ireland was destroyed during the Battle of the Four Courts in June 1922, seven centuries of Irish history went up in smoke. In recent years historians, archivists and computer scientists have been searching in archives and libraries, at home and abroad, hunting for any copies that can help replace these lost records.
The Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland was launched in June 2022, providing the public free online access to tens of thousands of replacement records, with over 50 million words of searchable text, collected from seventy partner archives and libraries around the globe.
Now, the Virtual Treasury team is coming to Waterford to share the results of their research.
On Wednesday 13 November the Virtual Treasury Roadshow will visit the Central Library, Waterford City to show digital records that help tell the story of Waterford and its people from the 19th century back to medieval times. Joanne
Rothwell, Archivist, Waterford City and County Archives, will share further resources for local history. Following Ms. Rothwell’s introduction, Ciarán Wallace, Lynn Kilgallon, and Brian Gurrin from the Virtual Treasury will each present on various facets of the project. Finally, Lorraine Boyle, Local Studies Librarian for Waterford City and County Library will give an introduction to the Local Studies Collection in Waterford. The roadshow visit will take place in the Central Library at 6 pm.
The Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland research programme is supported by the Irish Government through funding from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under Project Ireland 2040. www.virtualtreasury.ie
The roadshow event is free and all are welcome. To book a place please visit http://bit.ly/4eMjn9P or contact Central Library on 051 849975 or centrallibrary@waterfordcouncil.ie
Waterford City and County Libraries and Waterford City and County Archives will host the Virtual Treasury Roadshow – a chance for people to learn about their local history in this exciting new online resource.
When the Public Record Office of Ireland was destroyed during the Battle of the Four Courts in June 1922, seven centuries of Irish history went up in smoke. In recent years historians, archivists and computer scientists have been searching in archives and libraries, at home and abroad, hunting for any copies that can help replace these lost records.
The Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland was launched in June 2022, providing the public free online access to tens of thousands of replacement records, with over 50 million words of searchable text, collected from seventy partner archives and libraries around the globe.
Now, the Virtual Treasury team is coming to Waterford to share the results of their research.
On Wednesday 13 November the Virtual Treasury Roadshow will visit the Central Library, Waterford City to show digital records that help tell the story of Waterford and its people from the 19th century back to medieval times. Joanne
Rothwell, Archivist, Waterford City and County Archives, will share further resources for local history. Following Ms. Rothwell’s introduction, Ciarán Wallace, Lynn Kilgallon, and Brian Gurrin from the Virtual Treasury will each present on various facets of the project. Finally, Lorraine Boyle, Local Studies Librarian for Waterford City and County Library will give an introduction to the Local Studies Collection in Waterford. The roadshow visit will take place in the Central Library at 6 pm.
The Virtual Record Treasury of Ireland research programme is supported by the Irish Government through funding from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under Project Ireland 2040. www.virtualtreasury.ie
The roadshow event is free and all are welcome. To book a place please visit http://bit.ly/4eMjn9P or contact Central Library on 051 849975 or centrallibrary@waterfordcouncil.ie
The Waterford Writers Weekend is excited to host former Irish State Pathologist Dr. Marie Cassidy in the Town Hall Theatre, Dungarvan in conversation with WLRfm’s Damien Tiernan.
Her debut crime novel ‘Body Of Truth’ is now available.
Why not join us on Friday 25th October in Dungarvan at 8pm. Booking details on waterfordarts.com
Designed by Walton Institute, the Creative Waterford RagnallAR mobile app brings Waterford Library’s famous Ragnall mascot to schools and homes.
Waterford Libraries and Walton Institute at Southeast Technological University (SETU) are proud to announce the launch of the RagnallAR mobile app. Funded by Creative Waterford and developed by the extended reality team in Walton Institute in collaboration with Waterford Libraries, the mobile app uses augmented reality to bring a life-size model of Waterford Libraries mascot, Ragnall, to whichever physical location that the user is in. This means it is possible to have Ragnall appear in schools, homes, gardens and even on holidays. The app allows Ragnall to be moved around a location and different animations can be triggered such as Ragnall waving. Individuals can also pose for a photo with the virtual life sized Ragnall using the app.
The launch was held in the Ardkeen Library on Saturday, September 28th, 2024 as part of the celebrations for National Public Libraries Open Day with the Metropolitan Mayor of Waterford, Councillor Joe Kelly.
Stephen Barnes, Extended Reality Lab Manager in Walton Institute, spoke about bringing his love of technology and reading together in one exciting project. “As a voracious reader and having spent a lot of my childhood in the library, this project was close to my heart. It offered a unique opportunity for our team to showcase what we can offer in an accessible, easy to use example that shall bring fun to the community whilst also bolstering interests in visiting Waterford Libraries. It is my hope that this app can help people to see the possible applications of this technology and that it is not just restricted to headsets. We are already brimming with ideas for features that we can add which will enrich the library experience for people. I can’t wait to work on the next chapter with Waterford Libraries.”
Sinead O’Higgins, Senior Executive Librarian with Waterford Libraries was delighted with the collaboration and possibilities for interactive technologies in piquing the interest in reading. “Here at Waterford Libraries, we’re delighted to have the opportunity to work with Stephen and his colleagues in the Mixed Reality Lab in Walton Institute a SETU. It has opened our eyes to the possibilities that new technologies can have on our library services and our communities. We are very excited to see Ragnall, our popular library mascot, in AR format and we have already been inspired to think about what we can co-create with the Walton Institute next!”
It is envisaged that this project shall expand to include additional features to encourage people to visit their local library as well as for children to pick up or continue the wonderful lifelong habit of reading.
National Public Libraries open Day celebrates the valuable work of Public Libraries in Ireland and invites you to ‘Take a Closer Look’ at your local library. Libraries offer over 12 million books, eBooks, audiobooks, online courses, games and other items. You can order books from any library to be delivered to your local library for pick up and drop off your returns at any library in Ireland. Membership is free and there are no longer any late fees for items borrowed.
The app is currently available to use on devices in Waterford Libraries and can be downloaded from the android play store. Keep an eye on the Apple app store as it will be available for download very soon.
The Arts & Library Service of Waterford City and County Council is pleased to announce the programme for the Waterford Writers Weekend, October 24th to 27th 2024.
Full details on waterfordarts.com this Culture Night, this evening, Friday 20th at 8pm.
The Arts & Library Service of Waterford City and County Council is pleased to announce the programme for the Waterford Writers Weekend, October 24th to 27th 2024.
Full details on waterfordarts.com this Culture Night, Friday 20th at 8pm.
