Age Friendly Libraries
We have been working toward achieving an Age Friendly status for each of each of our 8 local libraries and our mobile library service.
Each library branch has nominated a staff member to be a dedicated Age Friendly Champion. These Age Friendly Champions completed training and conducted a survey with members of their local community to identify three actions that could be undertaken to improve how the library engages with older people at their library.
Over the last number of months, library staff have been working hard to bring about these changes which have included;
- Age Friendly Parking spaces outside Urlingford & Castlecomer libraries.
- Reading glasses/ magnifying sheet available for use in the library
- Age Friendly trolley at Graiguenamanagh and the City Library
- Age Friendly programming such as flower arranging, creative writing, art classes etc
Bealtaine May 2024
Kilkenny County Library Service is delighted to participate in Bealtaine again this May. Bealtaine is Ireland’s national festival which celebrates the arts and creativity as we age.
Callan Library
Digital Art workshop - Friday 24th May 11am
Join artist Zoe Wong for a digital art workshop. Learn about AI art and how you can use it together with collage and paper embroidery to make your own unique creations. Booking is essential as places are limited, phone 056 7794183 or email callan@kilkennylibrary.ie
Graignamanagh Library
Poetry workshop with Tina Hunt - Tuesday 14th May 6pm
Join Tina Hunt for a poetry writing workshop at Graiguenamanagh Library.
The intention of the workshop is to encourage creativity through the writing of poetry. Participants can be new to writing or more experienced; the session is set up to consider both.
During this workshop Tina will discuss various types of poetry and using props to get started with the writing process.
Following on from the workshop, it is hoped that participants will have a renewed interest in exploring poetry writing. Booking is essential as places are limited, phone 056 7794178 or email graiguenamanagh@kilkennylibrary.ie
Ferrybank Library
Ignite the Fun Within - Friday 10th May 10am
Radical Acts presents: Ignite the Fun Within
A workshop that will inspire and remind you of your natural ability of playfulness and ability to be creative..
You will be warmly guided through a process where you will create and share some new creative writing and characterisation.
Join Ita Morrissey of Radical Acts for this once off introductory drama /writing workshop at Ferrybank Library.
Booking is essential as places are limited - to book a place, phone Ferrybank Library 051 897200 or email ferrybank@kilkennylibrary.ie
Castlecomer Library
Foraging trail and tales with Maura Brennan - Wednesday 15th May 10am
Join herbalist and eco-activist Maura Brennan for a fascinating foraging trail of Castlecomer. Learn how to sustainably forage, identify plants of interest and learn about the folklore associated with them.
Booking is essential for this event, so please phone 056 444061 to book a place or email castlecomer@kilkennylibrary.ie
Urlingford Library
Flower arranging with Eva Holmes - Wednesday 1st May 2.30pm
Join award-winning florist, Eva Holmes for a Spring/Summer floral arranging demonstration at Urlingford Library. In this workshop, you will learn all the tips and tricks about how you can create your own floral arrangements at home.
Booking is essential as places are limited. To book a place, phone 056- 7794182 or email urlingford@kilkennylibrary.ie
Thomastown Library
Memoir writing with Alice Bennett - Tuesdays 7th & 14th May 10.30am
Join Alicia Bennett at Thomastown Library for two workshops on memoir writing Learn how to write a short piece of memoir using your own treasured photographs and objects . Alice will guide you through a few simple steps to create an engaging life story worth sharing. No previous experience in writing is necessary. Note for participants, please bring along a small item to the workshop that will evoke a memory for you e.g a photograph or a piece of clothing. |
Booking is essential as places are limited. To book a place, phone Thomastown Library on 056- 7794331 or email thomastown@kilkennylibrary.ie
Loughboy Library
Those were the Days with the Moylan Sisters - Friday 24th May - 6.15pm
Loughboy Library will welcome Ann Moylan for a wonderfulmusical event. “Those were the days” will be a musical performance of popular songs down through the years. Join us for a sing-a-along on Friday May 24th at 6.15pm. All are welcome to attend. |
Mayfair Library
Intergenerational art workshop with Edel Ni Nuallain - Wed 22nd May 3.30pm
Join Edel for a nature Mandala art workshop that is suitable for children and grandparents alike. What better way to explore your creativity than with our younger family members. Participants are encouraged to bring along natural material such flowers, leaves, small stones, shells, twigs, sand, lichen and moss.
Mental health and Wellbeing, through Friendship and Peer Support - Wed May 29th - 11am
Join Mike Watts from the GROW organisation for a talk on the importance of mental health and well-being through friendship and peer support. Mike will outline the way that we currently understand mental health and present some research findings which illustrate the role that friendship and peer support can play in recovery and in personal growth. To book a place, phone 056 7794174 or email mayfair@kilkennylibrary.ie |
Healthy Age Friendly Homes Programme information session
Linda Kirwan, local co-ordinator with the new Kilkenny Age friendly homes programme will facilitate a pop up information session. The aim of this programme is to support older people to live in their own homes with dignity and independence, for as long as possible. Linda can provide the participant with access to a range of housing, health and social care supports to help them decide on what they need to live the life they want, to the best of their ability within their community.
All are welcome to attend.
Age Friendly Homes information sessions | |
| |
Castlecomer Library | May 16th @ 12pm |
Loughboy Library | May 23rd 12 pm |
Thomastown Library | May 21st 10.30 |
Urllingford library | May 2nd @ 11am |
Mayfair | May 30th @ 10.30 am |
Ferrybank Library | May 7th at 11am |
Graiguenamanagh Library | May 16th at 11am |
Safeguarding for older people
The team from the HSE will give advice on safeguarding older people against elder abuse.
Elder abuse can take many forms, physical, financial, neglect or psychological. Empower yourself and others in your community and learn how to identify elder abuse and learn what supports are available.
If you have any concerns about elder abuse regarding yourself or an older member of your family, a friend or someone in your community call into our information pop up session at your local library.
All are welcome to attend.
Safeguarding Information session dates
Library | Date |
Urlingford Library | May 2nd 11am |
Loughboy Library | May 23rd 12 pm |
Castlecomer library | May 16th @ 12pm |
Mayfair | May 30th @ 10.30 am |
Ferrybank Library | May 7th @11am |
Graiguenamanagh Library | June 19th @11am |
Age Friendly Digital Ambassador
We now have library staff trained as Age Friendly ambassadors who can offer help with getting started on our Borrow Box library app which allows you to download eBooks and eAudiobooks. All of our branches carry age friendly formats like large print and audio books.
For further details contact Karyn in Castlecomer Library 056 4440561
Door to door service
Our door to door service was established during the Covid pandemic with great success and we are delighted that we can continue this personalised service. Our delivery driver will drop books of your choice straight to your door - if you know someone who is over 65yrs living in County Kilkenny and would like to avail of this service, please contact your local library.
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The Magic Table
The Magic Table consists of a series of interactive games that are projected on a table. The games are formulated with the intention to trigger a sense of reminiscence among players in order to encourage stimulation socially, cognitively and physically. As light simulations, games are projected onto a table and include gardening, fishing and popping balloons. The light games encourage players to reach out towards them and the lights subsequently respond to their hand and arm movements.
The Magic Table also include games for people with autism, these games are described as being more directly educational.
Loughboy Library is home to the first installed Magic Table in Kilkenny, Castlecomer and Graiguenamanagh Libraries host portable tables that can be lent to outside institutions for a period of time whose users may benefit from its use.
Details on using the tables are available on request from the three libraries.