The Westmeath Libraries podcast

As is usual we have had lots happening around our libraries in Westmeath, pottery classes, arts & crafts, crime prevention talks, and fighting words workshops. All events were very well attended, and we'd like to thank everyone who came along and participated.

Listen to hear what's happening next, including the Teddy Bear's hospital in Athlone, Creative writing starting this month in Mullingar & Athlone, as well as our regular events such as craft meet-ups, book clubs and more.

We had some microphone issues for this episode, apologies, but if you miss any details please visit our website at www.westmeathculture.ie

Welcome to the October 2026 episode of our library podcast. September saw the return of all our school visits, and we've h lots of activities in the libraries to welcome everyone back.
We also welcomed the Swedish ambassador to Ireland to Athlone & Mullingar Libraries, as part of our celebrations to mark Ireland's EU presidency. September also saw Culture Night events and Libraries Open Day events taking place, so lots to talk about.

For October we have our Unplugged series of events, where we encourage people to have a digital detox and enjoy some hands on activities like pottery, creative writing, and printmaking. These are booking out quickly so make sure to register your place today. All events can be found on our website at www.westmeathculture.ie and then simply click on the events link.

The Aidan Heavey Library is also hosting a number of LWETB workshops on various topics, such as "What is AI", a look at jury duty and more. 
Other events across the county include our Weird Westmeath exhibition in Mullingar during the month of October, Hallowe'en arts and crafts, storytimes and more. 

Welcome to our July podcast, where our hosts Rory and Colm are joined by Caroline from Kinnegad Library to take a look at library news and events around the county.
Some events mentioned include:
Summer Stars, Scams and Cyber security, Sound Connections with Music Generation, Lego free, Murder mystery, Book Clubs, Chair Yoga with Sports Partnership, VEX robotics, Warhammer sessions and much more.
You can see all our upcoming events on our website.

We were also very lucky to be joined by Westmeath Heritage Officer Melanie to chat about Heritage Week in August. There a huge variety of events happening in Westmeath, including events, workshops, and childrens events. There is sure to be something for everyone so remember to pick up the Heritage Week booklet once it is available in your local library.

In today's episode Colm and Rory get together to chat about all things libraries. 
Colm talks about the events in Athlone including

• Exhibition of Jim Fitzpatrick art
• Reimaging of the Siege of Athlone
• Summer reading continues with Summer Stars

In Castlepollard we have

• upcoming workshops with Anna Browne
• a look back at Kind Kids Club visit for Cruinniú na nÓg
• arts and crafts for children
• Children's book club has just finished reading JRR Tolkien's The Hobbit next up is Danny Chamion of the World by Roald Dahl

Other upcoming events include: 

A children's chess tournament on the 20th July
Cybersecurity and fraud awareness talks in Mullingar & Castlepollard libraries
Moate Library are hosting a series of workshops on a regular basis over the summer, if you are interested please sign up today or contact the library on 090 6481888
Lots of Lego free play events happening around the county
Face-painting and origami in Castlepollard on 14th July
Are you interested in joining an Age-Friendly bookclub that meets during the day? Contact [email protected] or 044 9332199 if this sounds like something you'd like to join.
VEX robotics workshops in all our libraries *all are booked out**

A full rundown of events, as always on westmeath.spydus.ie and click on events. Or if you would prefer sign up to our whatsapp channel and get daily updates  

Sarah, Colm, and Rory get together to chat about some upcoming events across Westmeath Libraries this month. With the Junior and Leaving cert exams underway all our libraries are having a lot of visits from hard-working students, and some not so hard-working as well.

Find all our events at Westmeath.spydus.ie and click on the events link 

In May we celebrated Bealtaine and older people's "Lust for Life" and creativity. There were drop in information sessions, poetry, history, and art exhibtions and more.

Upcoming events include

• Castlepollard children's book club will be discussing Tolkien's the Hobbit
• Cruinniú na nÓg events in all our libraries on 6th June 2026
• Launch of Little Library Book Bags - all children starting school can pick up their free bag from their local library
• Summer Stars - launching in June 2026
• Athlone's Love to Read bookclub is starting back - aimed at adults with Down's Syndrome. Ask for more details
• Athlone are hoping to start some Teen book clubs, contact them if you are interested.
• Anna Browne is running a series of gardening and biodiversity workshops across the county. 

We would also like to take this opportunity to wish Sarah the very best in her future. This is her last podcast for Westmeath Libraries, thanks for all your hard work.

Sarah and Rory chat about recent events around Westmeath Libraries, and on what's happening soon around the county.

Kinnegad Library have been enjoying Spring Into Storytime events, and some great Lego sessions including a Master workshop with Maynooth Lego society. There will be more Lego events coming soon, so remember to stay tuned to our website for updates - www.westmeathculture.ie
Kinnegad also had some lovely arts and crafts activities, and a creative writing workshop with Lorraine Murphy.

In Castlepollard Library it has also been a busy time, with lots of craft activites with children, Spring Into Storytime events, and also celebrated Irish Astronomy Week, Seachtain na Gaeilge and much much more.

Coming soon our libraries will have: More Spring into Storytime events, Parent & Toddler storytimes, book clubs, Gardening & Sustainability workshops with Anna Browne, Bealtaine events, crafting and more.

This month's podcast also features an interview with Rose Flynn former principal of the Kinnegad girls school, and Mags Flynn with Kinnegad Town team. They chated to Sarah about the history of Kinnegad, and especially the lovely building that today houses Kinnegad Library, and the LWETB

Sarah, Rory, and Colm chat about what's happening in Westmeath Libraries.

Topics this episode include the reopening of Aidan Heavey Athlone, and their brand new sensory Cubbie. Call in and ask staff if you are interested. Remember you can see all our events on our website at https://westmeath.spydus.ie.

We also chat about some events that have just happened, including leprechaun bookmarks for St. Patrick's Day in Castlepollard Library, Robotics in Kinnegad, Seachtain na Gaeilge events and much more.

Upcoming events in our libraries include

• Spring Into Storytime events, including competitions, story times and more
• John Broderick programme of events in the Aidan Heavey Library, Athlone
• A Gathering of poems on 21st April
• Creative Writing with Lorraine Murphy on 28th March
• Hidden Hearing mobile clinic on 8th April
• Build your own Straw Rocket - 26th April, celebrating Astronomy Week

Thanks for listening, and we'll see you next month

Colm, Sarah and Rory chat about another busy month in Westmeath  Libraries.

From Fighting Words to visits from the Argentinian Amabassador, you never know what you'll come across in your local library.
You'll find more details on all our events at www.westmeathculture.ie

Welcome to our first episode of 2026, we hope everyone had a great Christmas & New year. In today's podcast Colm, Rory,  and Sarah chat about library events, past and upcoming. As well as looking back at some library related statistics from 2025, including the most popular book in Westmeath Libraries.
Some of our upcoming events include making St. Brigid's crosses out of pipecleaners, new book clubs, and the Aidan Heavey Library is planning to reopen in February.

Remember you can find all our events on our website at www.westmeathculture.ie