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Thurles Europe Direct Centre - Multicultural Workshops for Kids in Cashel Library

Multicultural Workshops for Kids in Cashel Library took place from the 9th-13th August.  The aim was to learn about different countries, sample some traditional food and take part in some crafts and games from that country. Workshops were FREE and suitable for 7-12 year olds. During the week the featured two European Union member states -included Poland and Romania.

Letterkenny Europe Direct Centre - MacGill Summer School

The MacGill Summer School celebrates its 30th Anniversary from 18th to the 24th of July 2010. The Europe Direct Information Centre Letterkenny will feed into this years’ analysis of the political, economic and administrative systems that have allowed the Irish economy to be brought to its knees by providing relevant literature to interested parties.

Dundalk Europe Direct Centre - European Quizword at Drogheda Branch Library

This competition for Junior library users ran during July and August in Drogheda Branch Library.Entry forms were available in the Branch and the closing date was Tuesday, 31st August.

Europe Direct Centre-Killarney Library - Family Puppet Show

Family puppet show-European Folk Tales presented by [Glitter na Gig/Sean O’Laoire] on Tuesday 3rd of August 11.30 a.m

Thurles Europe Direct Centre -Lets Explore .... Cabra Wetland

On Sunday 22nd August, 3-5 p.m. at Cabragh Wetlands, Holycross, Thurles, Co. Tipperary Dale Treadwell, The Den's resident bugman, explored the wetlands.  This event aimed to show families how we are all a part of nature and how we have a role to help protect it too. We are all in this together! www.weareallinthistogether.eu. This event was  held as part of Europe’s Biodiversity Campaign and has received funding from the European Commission.

“Celebrate Bastille Day with Europe Direct Centre in Blanchardstown Library!

To celebrate Bastille Day (14th July) Blanchardstown Europe Direct Centre held an exhibition of all things French from July 12th to July 17th. The public where invited to peruse the exhibition of French Books & CDs that are available in Blanchardstown Library while enjoying the sound of French music in the air! They where also invited to interact with the Exhibition – by teling library staff all about their French travels by pinning a label to a map of France telling where they had visited, what they enjoyed the most and who they  travelled with!All where welcome to view the Exhibition!

Blanchardstown Europe Direct Centre - Focusing on Europe in the World Cup

A large exhibition entitled "Focusing on Europe in the World Cup" is was held in Blanchardstown Library. Information was provided about the European teams participating in the 2010 World Cup. There was also a display of library materials (Books & DVDs) relating to football and the World Cup. A TV and comfortable seating area was provided showing the World Cup matches.

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Europe Direct Thurles: French Camp a Success!

Europe Direct Information Centre at Thurles Library held a very successful French camp for kids during July. 37 children, from 5 to 12 years, attended the camp for one hour each day from 12th to 16th July. Under the tuition of French native, Fanny Healy Bernard, they got to grips with their “un, deux, trois” whilst taking their own ‘Tour de France’. On Wednesday 14th July the group celebrated Bastille Day with croissants and jus d’orange in our specially decorated Community Space. At the end of the week, the children performed some French songs for their parents. Also, each child was rewarded with their own ‘Passeport pour mon Tour de France’ and a goody bag, courtesy of Europe Direct.

The French Camp was organised by Europe Direct Thurles Library and received funding from the European Commission. We hope this French camp will give children the language learning bug. Languages are for everybody. They help to break down personal as well as national barriers, and enable us all to play a greater role in a modern, multicultural Europe. You can find language learning materials at your local library.

Eddie Lenihan wows at Thurles Library

Europe Direct Thurles welcomed Kerry native, and well-known story teller, Eddie Lenihan, to the library on Monday 21st June. On the day, Eddie held two sessions – one for pupils from Moyne and Littleton national schools and one for Thurles Education Centre. Eddie, who tells tales of myth, magic and mystery, kept the audience enthralled for the morning. On the day he told tales from Irish lore and Traveller culture, that he has gathered from other storytellers for almost 30 years. Thurles Education Centre is a training centre for Travellers from across county Tipperary. On the day, the group were captivated by Eddie’s talents, as he told stories about piseog’s and other superstitions, many of which they knew already. In fact, Eddie went away with a few new stories to tell himself!

Pupils from St. Kevin’s N.S.Littleton

This event was held by Europe Direct Information Centre as a celebration of Irish culture. Europe is proud of its cultural diversity and aims to preserve and support this diversity and to help make it accessible to others. Based in Thurles Library we are your one-stop shop for all your European Union information needs. This action has received funding from the European Commission.

Group from Thurles Education Centre

Thurles Schools Know Their Stuff about Climate Change

Europe Direct Information Centre in Thurles Library held a Climate Change competition for primary schools in the Thurles area. We asked pupils and their teachers to discuss climate change in the classroom, to find out what it’s all about and to suggest ways we can help combat it. And what a response we got! Altogether, 17 primary schools entered the competition, with our judges given the difficult task of choosing winners from almost 600 entries.

The entries can now be seen on display in Thurles Library, so do pop in to see what the next generation thinks of climate change. Congratulations to everyone who took part, and their teachers, for doing their bit to save our planet!

The winners in each category are:

Junior Infants – 1^st Class:1^st Prize: Anna Ryan, Scoil Mochaomhóg Naofa, Two-Mile-Borris. Click here to see winning entry! Highly commended: Shane Maher, St. Theresa’s N.S., Borrisoleigh; John Paul Curran, St Michael’s N.S. Holycross. Click

2^nd to 4^th Class: 1^st Prize: Claire Egan, St. Joseph’s N.S. Ballingarry. Click here to see winning entry! Highly commended: Sarah Ryan, Kilcommon N.S.; Katie Taylor, Scoil Angela; William Ryan, Inch N.S.

5^th & 6^th Class: 1^st Prize: Lorna Ryan, Scoil Treasa Naofa, Borrisoleigh. Click here to see wining entry! Highly commended: Caolainn Munroe, 6^th Class, Leugh .N.S.; Aedín Hogan, St. Treasa N.S. Borrisoleigh

The prize giving party took place on Wednesday 16^th June when Tipperary hurler, Lar Corbett, was on hand to present prizes to the children. Prizes were as diverse as the entries, ranging from an MP3 player to a bicycle to having a winning picture printed on a t-shirt for the winner and her class mates. Climate change is one of the biggest issues facing the world right now and you can learn more about what Europe is doing about it at Europe Direct in Thurles Library. This schools competition was run as a Europe Direct Information Centre event and has received funding from the European Commission.

For more information please contact Ann Marie Brophy, Executive Librarian, Thurles Library.

Phone: 0504 29720

Email: ambrophy@tipperarylibraries.ie

Dundalk Europe Direct Centre - English Language Classes

A ten week course of English Language Classes

every Thursday evening from 29/04/10 to 01/07/10.

Certificates presented to all participants on the final night.

Dundalk Europe Direct Centre - Exhibition on Travelling in Europe

During the month of June an Exhibition entitled"Travelling in Europe" was on display in Dundalk Branch Library. This colourful display provided information on travelling throughout Europe during the Summer of 2010.

The display was accompanied by travel guides on a variety of European countries,  brochures and information leaflets.

Letterkenny Europe Direct Centre - Spanish Holiday Language Classes

Europe Direct Letterkennny recently hosted spanish holiday language classes in Central Library. Over a five week period in June the general public were invited to take part in a 1 hour session each Thursday to help them to learn the basics of the spanish language. Due to phenominal demand we put on a second course on Saturday mornings. The classes were very successful.

 

Ballinasloe Europe Direct Centre - 3 Rivers Storytelling Festival

The 3 Rivers Storytelling Festival,now in its third year,took place from the 2nd to the 24th June  in the East Galway library catchment area,with some events in Athlone also.

The festival focused on bringing storytelling to communities in the East Galway area and thus,to make stories and storytellers accessible to both children and adults who might not normally get an opportunity to enjoy this form of the arts.the line up of visiting storytellers this year included:SPUD and YAM,Melissa Barker,Liz Weir,Suse Weiss,Mairin Mhic Lochlainn,Liz Warren,Sue Brown and Danielle Allison.

Libraries in Ballinasloe,Portumna,Loughrea,Eyrecourt,Killimor,Woodford,Athlone,Moate  hosted visiting storytellers for storytelling sessions in English and Irish. Susa Weiss visited from Germany as part of Europe Direct Ballinasloe’s continuous programme to promote the arts and culture of European Countries.

For more information contact local libraries for details of storytelling sessions.

Details of libraries at www.galwaylibrary.ie

Killarney Library - Quiz on the European Union

 

Letterkenny Europe Direct Centre - Ulster Scots Songs & Stories

Letterkenny Europe Direct Information Centre was host to a morning of Ulster Scots songs and stories with Joe Lynch on Tuesday 8th June. Over 50 Pupils participated in a fun packed exploration of a local language tradition which highlighted how Ireland has forged links with other European countries before the European Union ever existed.

Dundalk Europe Direct Centre - The Pied Piper of Hamelin

To Celebrate Europe Day Louth County Libraries hosted a series of Workshops in conjunction with Encore Productions, a local Theatre group for adults with intellectual disabilities. A programme of workshops ran in Dundalk, Drogheda, Ardee and Carlingford libraries, which commenced on Friday 7th May. The theme was "The Pied Piper of Hamelin" and the story recreated through writing, poetry, song and improvisation workshops. This classical European tale was re-imagined in the contemporary context, looking at the experiences of the rats as well as the human protagonists, issues of economics and the life of the town and how decisions made affect the lives and destinies of all its citizens. Performing alongside the actors were the children from Clermont Minor choir who sang the childrens songs in the production. During the workshops the actors presented the story of the pied piper and then focused on a scene or element of the story. The pupils assisted in writing songs, poems and lines of dialogue and description through a lively interactive workshop. Workshops ran to Friday the 28th May.

Blanchardstown Europe Direct Centre - Sustainable Energy Workshops

A series Sustainable Energy Workshop took place in Blanchardstown Library over the period 31/05/2010 - 04/06/2010.  Local school children  attended one of three daily workshops. The workshops, given by Sustainable Energy Ireland, consisted of a presentation which covered the topics of energy sources, climate change and what we as individuals can do to reduce the amount of energy we use.  Children had the opportunity to take part in fun energy experiments - for example, making a battery out of a lemon!

Europe Direct Centre Blanchardstown also displayed relevant leaflets so that the participating children could take information back to their schools which highlights the European Unions response to climate change and a more sustainable way of living.

For Information on this event, please contact Enid Bebbington, Blanchardstown Library (Ph. 01 890 5576) or email enid.bebbington@fingalcoco.ie

Audience: Invited classes from schools in the Dublin 15 area.

Blanchardstown Library - Events to Celebrate Europe Day

To celebrate Europe Day, the Europe Direct Centre at Blanchardstown Library held a junior and an adult quiz for all Eurovision song contest fans and admirers! Entrants got the chance to test their knowledge of the Eurovision and win some great prizes!

They also held a Eurovision exhibition (5th - 29th May) with a dazzling array of Eurovision stars and facts were on display!

Dundalk Europe Direct Centre - ECO-UNESCO Environmental Education Workshop Programme

ECO-UNESCO, Ireland's environmental education and youth organisation, held a two day workshop in Dundalk in conjunction with the ED Centre. This two day workshop took place in Dundalk Library on 18th & 19th May, 2010. This programme tailored to suit local transition year pupils and  two themes were organised for the workshops. Day 1 Energy Education Day 2 Waste Education The aim of these workshops was to raise environmental awareness, understanding and knowledge of the environment among young people. The workshops also aimed to promote the protection and conservation of the environment and the personal development of young people through practical environmental projects and activities.

Dundalk Europe Direct Centre - My Place in Europe

Louth County Libraries hosted a display to celebrate Europe Day. The display, entitled "My Place in Europe" ran from 11th-15th May in Ardee Library. It was based on projects completed by the local primary schools and secondary level school in Ardee. The projects were based on the students interpretation of their place in the European Union and included letters to European penpals, written pieces about the local community and a visual display detailing European capitals, flags, national dishes and phrases in various languages.

World Biodiversity Day

World BiodiversityDay  -22nd  Mayhttp://ec.europa.eu/environment/biodiversity/campaign/index_en.htm

Prize winners celebrate Europe Day at Europe Direct, Waterford

The Waterford Europe Direct Information Centre at Central Library was a hive of activity last Saturday afternoon (8 May) as the Deputy Mayor of Waterford Cllr. Cha O’Neill and the talented young prize winners celebrated Europe Day with library staff at a special ceremony.

The two lucky winners of the ‘Where I am from…’ poetry competition and ‘Colour a Superhero’ colouring competition Mollie Crawford and Yuriy Eliyashevskyy were presented with their bicycles by the Deputy Mayor. There were also nine runner-up prize winners.

Cllr. Cha O’Neill told the prize winners all aged between 8 and 11 who were assembled with their proud family and friends; “There were a lot of entries, 481 to be precise, and the standard was very high!  So you should all be very proud to be one of the best entries here today”.  The Where I am from…’ poetry competition celebrated the diversity of the class room community and ‘Colour a Superhero’ encouraged children to name and colour a climate change fighting superhero.

City Librarian, Jane Cantwell explained; “The Waterford Europe Direct Information Centre, run here from Central Library is a contact point for all queries on the EU for the South East Region. The Centre aims to promote informed debate and active European citizenship by providing EU information tailored to meet the needs of the local community”.

The Europe Direct Information Centre also thanked Declan Pierce from The Comixstop for creating the artwork and O’Mahonys Bookshop for sponsoring books for the runner-up prizes.

You can contact the Waterford Europe Direct Information Centre on 051 849975 or by email europedirect@waterfordcity.ie. The Centre is also on facebook at www.facebook.com/eudirect.

Colour a Superhero Competition

First Place: Yuriy Eliyashevskyy, Mount Sion N.S.  Second Place: Julia Cyfer, Waterpark N.S.  Third Place: Hannah Dalton, Our Lady of Mercy N.S.  Runners Up: Lance Baylon, St Mary’s N.S. Ross O’Donovan, Gael Scoil Phortláirge and Niamh-Anni Bent, Gael Scoil Phortláirge.

‘Where I am From’ Poetry Competition

First Place: Mollie Crawford, St Ursula’s N.S.  Second Place: Queen Aisha Ganiyn, Our Lady of Mercy S.N.S.  Third Place: Brooklyn Quinn, Ballygunner N.S.  Runners Up: Grace McGrath, St Ursula’s N.S. and Gopika Suresh Vadackal, St Ursula’s N.S.

For more information contact Sinead O’Higgins 051 849975 or email europedirect@waterfordcity.ie

Dundalk Europe Direct Centre - Cookery with a European Flavour

To further celebrate Europe Day and the Bealtaine Festival, the Europe Direct Centre Dundalk hosrted a cookery demonstration in Dundalk Library at 2.30pm on Thursday, 13th May.

Local chef Pat Kerley demonstrated his cooking skills and prepared a three course meal with selected European dishes. All attendees werel invited to sample his mouthwatering recipes!

 

Dundalk Europe Direct Centre - Organic Gardening

Local gardener Pamela Whitaker hosted an information session on organic gardening at 11am on Wednesday, 12th May 2010.The organic approach to growing recognises that all living things depend on one another and that all are inter-related.

Pamela gave a talk on our responsibilities regarding how we should treat the soil and the environment to safeguard it for future generations. She demonstrate her practical skills by planting a small vegetable garden beside the library building.

Letterkenny Europe Direct Centre - 'Can Europe take the lead in dealing with Climate Change?'

As part of the Europe Day celebrations at Letterkenny, EU Direct Centre, held a talk entitled ‘Can Europe take the lead in dealing with Climate Change?’. It was aimed at schools and the general public on key issues regarding sustainability, climate change, the future and how you can make a positive difference? On the 7th May the centre hosted the event. The event had a New Zealand flavour, but with direct relevance to Ireland and how we can meet our responsibilities where climate change and the future is concerned. We were delighted to welcome Tony Kearney who hosted the event. Earth Whisperers (Short Film) was shown which was filmed in spectacular locations around New Zealand and shows a special group of New Zealander's who are out to prove that a shift in consciousness can help heal the environment. There was a discussion about the issues raised by the film during which Tony talked about issues facing Europe and Climate change.

Killarney Library - 'A day in the life of an M.E.P'

Europe Direct Information Centre-Killarney Library as part of [Spring Day for Europe] hosted a talk by Sean Kelly , M.E.P on Monday 10th of May. Post Primary school students were invited and all who attended found the session very informative, light refreshments were served and media coverage was arranged.

Carraroe Europe Direct Centre - Europe Day Celebration

Blanchardstown Library - Events to Celebrate Europe Day

To celebrate Europe Day, the Europe Direct Centre at Blanchardstown Library held a junior and an adult quiz for all Eurovision song contest fans and admirers! Entrants got the chance to test their knowledge of the Eurovision and win some great prizes!

A Eurovision exhibition (5th - 29th May) is also running at the moment with a dazzling array of Eurovision stars and facts are on display!

Entry forms for the Eurovision quiz competition will be available at Blanchardstown Library from Wednesday 5th May. The closing date for the competition is Saturday 29th May.

For further details contact the Library at 8905563 or email blanchlib@fingalcoco.ie

Killarney Library - Spanish for holidaymakers

Spanish for holidaymakers, was held over 4 Saturday mornings from 11.00 a.m to 12.30p.m beginning on 10,of April, 17th and 24th of April, and finally on the 8th of May

 

Dundalk Europe Direct Centre - The Pied Piper of Hamelin

To Celebrate Europe Day Louth County Libraries hosted a series of Workshops in conjunction with Encore Productions, a local Theatre group for adults with intellectual disabilities. A programme of workshops ran in Dundalk, Drogheda, Ardee and Carlingford libraries, commencing on Friday 7th May. The theme is "The Pied Piper of Hamelin" and the story will be recreated through writing, poetry, song and improvisation workshops. This classical European tale will be re-imagined in the contemporary context, looking at the experiences of the rats as well as the human protagonists, issues of economics and the life of the town and how decisions made affect the lives and destinies of all its citizens. Performing alongside the actors shall be the children from Clermont Minor choir who will sing the childrens songs in the production. During the workshops the actors shall present the story of the pied piper and then focus on a scene or element of the story. The pupils will then assist in writing songs, poems and lines of dialogue and description through a lively interactive workshop.

Dundalk Europe Direct Centre - Europe in Pictures - A Junior Quiz

Europe in Pictures- A Junior Quiz A picture quiz  took place in Drogheda Library, on Tuesday 4th May, 2010. This was aimed at younger library users and a prizegiving ceremony followed.

Blanchardstown Library - On the move living, learning and working anywhere in the EU

On the move living, learning and working anywhere in the EU' is an information display which highlights the opportunities available to all EU citizens at different stages in their lives. Home can be anywhere in Europe now - France, Sweden, Portugal or Estonia for example, and for any purpose: volunteering, travelling, studying, working or retiring. Getting the facts on travelling or moving abroad can be time consuming, so staff at the Europe Direct Centre, Blanchardstown Library brought all the information together in this display. It includes pamphlets, factsheets, booklets and details of helpful websites - all the information needed to make that move! The information displayed ran from 1st - 30th April.

Waterford’s Europe Direct Information Centre - Inspiring Change Workshop

On Saturday 24 April Waterford Europe direct centre hosted the Inspiring Change workshop with Alan Caldwell .

The Inspiring Change workshop is part of the Waterford Festival of Architecture. Alan Caldwell specialises in community planning, regeneration and a low carbon future.  He published Inspiring Change, Creating a Successful Development Trust in 2009, and now offers ‘Inspiring Change Events’ to communities across the UK and Ireland. The common theme of these events was bringing innovative examples of community regeneration and low carbon futures to excite and provoke. Feedback was given on a pilot Community Workshop held as part of festival with “St Herblain Park” community, facilitated by Noel Walshe, Neighbourhood Development Officer, Hugh O’Brien, Waterford City Council Planning Officer and Anne Harpur, Architect.

The Waterford Europe Direct Information Centre at Central Library was delighted to host this important event promoting the EU's priority of protecting, preserving and improving the world around us. Full details of the festival can be found at www.wfa.ie

Waterford Europe Direct Centre - Creative Students for Waterford City

An Exhibition of work from students of WIT Department of Architecture held on Friday 23 April

One of the aims of the Department of Architecture at WIT is to explore the potential of vacant sites around the city. Some of these projects are on display in this exhibition.

They vary in scale, complexity and function and are the work of some very hardworking students from architecture and architectural technology.

Ballinasloe Europe Direct Centre - East Galway Art Trail - 24th March - 21st April

Europe Direct Ballinasloe ,in conjunction with 4 other libraries in the East Galway area, was involved in this socially inclusive project,which concentrated on bringing art ,in various forms ,to disadvantaged areas.

Various forms of art worked by professional artists was on exhibit in the public spaces in the ED Centre /libraries.One artist exhibits in each space.The spaces were generally in outreach areas and for many,it is their introduction to many of the art forms exhibited.

Libraries involved in this are ED Ballinasloe,Portumna Library,Eyrecourt Library,Woodford Library and Eyrecourt Library…all in County Galway.

The ED Centre at Ballinasloe Library provides information on all aspects of EU policy free of charge and concentrates specifically on promoting the European Unions Communication priorities for the current period 2009-2012.

Blanchardstown Library - Traditional Easter Egg Painting

A traditional Easter egg painting session for children with John Carpenter. The participants made papier mache eggs, and paint them, replicating a European tradition, popular in such countries as Poland, Ukraine and Lithuania at Easter time.

This event took place in 6 different libraries in Fingal:

This event introduced children to traditions popular in other European countries.

Killarney Library - Climate Change Public Lecture

Public Lecture [Climate change-a European Union Perspective], Speaker: Professor John Sweeney, N.U.I Maynooth, held on Tuesday 13th of April at 7.00 p.m. Professor Sweeney is at the Geography Dept in Maynooth where his research area is climatology and climate change in particular. He is a member of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and was also one of the contributing authors and editors of Fourth Assessment Report of the IPCC which was published in 2007.

Europe Direct Information Centre Leabharlann na Ceathrún Rua ‘An Organic Approach’

Exhibition of Plants and Books and a talk on how to sow your own fruit and vegetables

By: Nuala Ni Chonghaile

Friday 19 March, 11.00 – 1.00p.m

Blanchardstown Europe Direct Centre -European Flags workshops

A series of European flags workshops where held in branch libraries in Fingal during the month of March for children aged 5 - 12 years. The children learned about the history of flags from different European countries and how they got their colours and patterns. They designed their own flag. The workshops took place in Blanchardstown, Howth, Baldoyle, Balbriggan, Swords and Malahide Libraries.

The children learned  to recognise the flags of different European countries in a fun away. They also became more aware of themselves as Europeans and how  the emblems and flags of each country are important.

EU Direct Thurles says ‘Energy – Let’s Save It!’

European Sustainable Energy Week took place from 22-26 March and Europe Direct Thurles rewarded borrowers who left the car at home and visited the library on foot, by bicycle or public transport! This took place on Thursday 25th and Friday 26th March

As individual energy consumers, we all bear some responsibility for the future of our planet. As much as half of the world’s emissions come from home heating and private transport. By taking small steps – installing insulation, taking the train not the car, and fitting energy saving bulbs – we can all make a difference. There are plenty of ways we can get involved to lessen Europe's collective impact on the environment. For more tips on reducing your carbon footprint see http://ec.europa.eu/climateaction/index_en.htm or www.sei.ie or call into the library to see our information display.

Europe Direct Information Centre is located in Thurles Library, The Source. We are your local link to Europe. This action has received funding from the European Commission.

Ballinasloe Europe Direct Centre -EU Sustainable Energy Week

EU Sustainable Energy Week took place from 22nd March to 26th March in Brussels and in other cities across Europe.Under the umbrella of the Sustainable Energy Europe Campaign,it is Europe's leading event on energy issues.

To tie-in with this and in co-operation with Sustainable Energy Ireland,Europe Direct Ballinasloe celebrated this week by providing the public with information on all forms of sustainable energy.Booklets on renewable energy in the home ect.,talks,giveawayswere given  to promote the European Union’s energy policy targets within the fields of renewable energy sources,energy efficiency,clean transport and alternative fuels.

An extensive collection of new books on the various forms of energy have been added to stock at Europe Direct Ballinasloe This project has received funding from the European Commission.

The ED Centre at Ballinasloe Library provides information on all aspects of EU policy free of charge and concentrates specifically on promoting the European Unions Communication priorities for the current period 2009-2012.

Blanchardstown Europe Direct Centre - Poland - Ireland exhibition

Thurles Europe Direct Centre - European Consumer Day

To highlight European Consumer Day on Monday 15^th March, Europe Direct Thurles had an information stand in Thurles Shopping Centre, from 12 – 2 p.m., with information on consumer rights, along with promotional material from the European Consumer Centre Ireland (www.eccireland.ie).  It is important for Irish consumers to be aware of the availability of advice and information on their rights when shopping and at the Europe Direct Information Centre in Thurles Library, we can provide just that by calling into us at Thurles Library for all your EU information needs. Check us out twitter.com/EDICThurles.  This action has received funding from the European Commission.

Ballinasloe Europe Direct Centre - “Then and Now” Exhibition

From the 2nd to 20th march 2010, Ballinasloe Europe Direct Centre hosted the European Commission exhibition “Then and Now” . This focused on the changes which have taken place in Ireland since we became members of the EU.Before and after photographs illustrate this and illustrate in a very positive way the influence the European Union has had up to now .

Blanchardstown Europe Direct Centre - Fingal ECO Week

Fingal ECO Week is an annual event which aims to raise environmental awareness among adults and children throughout the County. This year it ran from the 8th to 13th March. The official launch by the Mayor of Fingal took place in Blanchardstown Library on Monday 8th. The Library also hosted an Expo Day on the 8th, when the public visited information stands and talked to representatives from Europe Direct, Fingal Conservation Volunteers, Living Gifts, VOICE (Voice of Irish Concern for the Environment), Smoothie Bike, Global Action Plan and the Fingal County Council Environmental Awareness Team. Staff at the Europe Direct stand highlighted the European response to climate change and a more sustainable way of living, by handing out relevant leaflets and by directing people to the Europe Direct telephone and internet information services. During ECO week lots of other events took place at Blanchardstown Library including a Green Homes presentation, compost and grow it yourself workshops and seminars on the climate change campaign and environmental food matters. Local primary and secondary school teachers and students attended all the events.

Blanchardstown Europe Direct Centre - Timpeall na Cruinne / Around the World - storytelling for children

 

CSI Europe Direct at Ardee Library!

Forget CSI Miami or CSI Las Vegas, it was CSI Ardee at the recent Europe Direct Centre/An Garda Síochána initiative with the local schools in Ardee Library, County Louth. During March, the Europe Direct initiative aimed at raising awareness and provided information workshops on the Environment and Social Exclusion. This co-operative project with the local schools highlighted the issues of public awareness and social responsibility in the local community and in a broader national and European-wide context. The project covered four topics:

• CSI Europe Direct at the Library

• Road safety & responsibility of EU citizens

• Public awareness & care for the environment

• Social exclusion & cultural awareness

In the first week Sergeant Michael Kelly and Garda Aidan Hanlon of the Louth Crime Scene Unit spoke to the children about DNA, forensics, fingerprinting and the work of the crime scene investigator. Lots of gory questions were asked by the captive audience; the children (and their teachers!) had their fingerprints taken which they took home with them at the end of the session. Policing and cross-border security issues were discussed in the wider European context. During the second week Garda Barry Lynch and Inspector Paul Kiernan arrived on the scene with their mountain bikes. They told the children about the importance of road safety for pedestrians, cyclists, car drivers and passengers. Louth/Meath radio station (LMFM) turned up for the event and spoke to the children, guest speakers and library staff about the Europe Direct initiative and about road safety responsibility of EU citizens.

Students were transported back to the days of ration books, bare feet walking to school and homework by candlelight for the third session of the project.Michael Searson and Betty Crosbie spoke to the children about their life and experiences growing up in Ardee and about the cultural changes that have taken place. Michael spoke about his younger days in the Belgian Congo as a member of the Irish Army and of the many interesting people he encountered during his time there.

Sergeant Catherine Kealy and Garda Paddy O’Rourke then spoke to the children about social exclusion; the importance of respecting all members of the community regardless of age or nationality. She talked about the importance of obeying rules in society, why they exist and the benefits that they have for us all.Did you know that ladybirds can be cannibalistic? Or that bats are not blind? Well-known TV and radio personality Eanna Ni Lamnha kept everyone enthralled with her entertaining and interesting talk about wildlife and the environment for the final installment in the project. Garda Patricia Flynn and Garda David O’Sullivan also spoke about the dangers of littering for our wildlife and about how it can spoil our beautiful countryside. They also spoke to the children about EU directives on environmental issues.

A competition in conjunction with Europe Direct and Louth County Libraries was run during the month of March.

The theme was based on the programme of talks run during the month of February in Ardee Branch Library and the essay was entitled “My Place in Europe”. On Friday 12th March all participants got together in Ardee library for a prize giving ceremony and a presentation of certificates for all the school children who took part in the programme.

The project succeeded in raising awareness and giving information on the Environment and Social Exclusion and highlighting the Europe Direct Centre based in Dundalk Library.

Blanchardstown Europe Direct Centre - Irish Language Quiz

To celebrate Seachtain na Gaeilge/Irish language week (3rd -17th March 2010), the Europe Direct Centre at Blanchardstown Library, held an Irish language, European themed quiz on Wednesday 10th March. 11 teams from local primary schools cpmpeted for a perpetual trophy. The teams were  asked questions on a variety of subjects including sport, history, current affairs and the European Union.

Waterford’s Europe Direct Information Centre - Through a Swedish Lens

Waterford’s Europe Direct Information Centre held exibition Through a Swedish Lens to the Index Gallery in Central Library from the 2- 14 March. This beautiful photographic exhibition has been created by the National Folklore Collection and celebrates the contribution of four Swedish scholars and writers to Irish culture in the first half of the twentieth century. The photographers include the celebrated folklorist Carl Wilhelm von sydow, the ethnologists Albert Eskeröd and Åke Campbell, and the writer Harriet Hjorth Wetterström. Each went on to play a significant role in advancing the study of Irish folklore and ethnology and in cultivating Swedish-Irish relations. All four men and women were also capable photographers, and many of the photographs and correspondence with Irish colleagues are now preserved in the National Folklore Collection, University College Dublin.

The Centre aims to promote informed debate and active European citizenship by providing EU information tailored to meet the needs of the local community.

Letterkenny Europe Direct Centre - Community Information Evening

On Tuesday 9th March the EU Direct Information Centre, Letterkenny held an information evening at the Multicultural Drop In Centre at the Port House, Letterkenny. The evening will focused on information surrounding services provided in Central Library, Letterkenny, including information provided by the library as a EU Direct Centre.

The aim of the event was to provide information to people that have come from other countries and have settled here recently in the local community and to encourage a feeling of social inclusion and belonging to a community.

Blanchardstown Europe Direct Centre - Poland - Ireland exhibition

Make a Book' certificate presentation at Blanchardstown Library

One Book One Waterford Launch at Waterford Europe Direct Centre

‘One Book, One Waterford’ is a literacy initiative to celebrate 2010 the European Year of Combating Poverty and Social Inclusion. The Waterford Europe Direct Information Centre is working with the Home School Community Liaison Schemes (HSCL). The HSCL is a scheme which identifies and addresses issues in the community of participating schools. This project aims to tackle the issue of literacy in the communities.

‘One Book One Waterford’ encouraged people of the same community to read the same book at the same time. The book chosen is Titanic Tragedy by Vincent McDonnell. From now until the summer the city becomes one giant book club, as the first ‘One Book, One Waterford’ gets underway. Titanic Tragedy is the story of the world’s most famous shipwreck. This school and community based literacy project was launched in St Paul’s Secondary School on Tuesday 2 March at 11am by the Mayor of Waterford Cllr. John Halligan with the book’s author Vincent McDonnell as the guest speaker.

Please contact Niamh Baldwin, Schools and Children’s Librarian or Sinead O’Higgins, Europe Direct Centre for more details. Please click here to read more.

Killarney Library - Emerging Views on Europe Exhibition

Europe Direct Centre-Killarney Library ihosted the exhibition (Emerging Views on Europe:How Europe influences the lives of citizens from the developing world) for two weeks 15-27 February. The photographic exhibition organisers, CONCORD (THE European NGO Confederation for Development and Relief) asked people in the developing world to send pictures and any views they had on the effect of aid received in their countries. This exhibition has been touring in Europe for two years.

 

Dundalk Library - Brat Bhríde-St Brigid's Festival

The Launch of St. Brigid's Festival took place in Dundalk Library on Thursday 14th January 2010 at 5.30pm. St. Brigid's Festival Celebrates Brigid of Faughart and the Celtic Festival of Imbolc in myth, landscape, folklore, spiritual customs, music, poetry and dance. The emphasis of this festival was to revisit and reclaim the richness of the traditions associated with Brigid of Faughart in ways which are relevant to our lives in the 21st Century. A crossmaking workshop for children took place in Dundalk Library on Thursday 28th January. Local classes took part in the two morning one-hour sessions. "Exploring the Magic and the Mystery of Water"- A Talk was presented by Dolores Whelan in Dundalk Library on Friday 29th January.

 

 

KILLARNEY LIBRARY-Europe Direct Centre

KILLARNEY LIBRARY-Europe Direct Centre hosted THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION REPRESENTATION IN IRELAND EXHIBITION [THEN AND NOW], [SNAPSHOTS OF CHANGE IN THE EU YEARS]

The "Then and Now Exhibition" exhibition illustrated events influencing the rise and decline of Irish Forests throughout the millennia. Exhibition ran from the 7th -29th of January inclusive.

Dundalk Library - Flukeprints-Exhibition

[Flukeprints]-produced by the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group. Exhibition detailing the activities of whales, dolphins and porpoises in Irish waters. 11th -30th of January inclusive.

 

KILLARNEY LIBRARY-Europe Direct Centre

Killarney Library Flukeprints Exhibition -produced by the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group. Exhibition about whales, dolphins and porpoises in Irish waters.Exhibition ran from the 7th -29th of January inclusive.

 

A Truly European Christmas with Europe Direct at Thurles Library

Europe Direct Information Centre, based in Thurles Library, invited Scoil Angela, Ursuline Primary School, to take part in a unique Christmas event this year. Over 60 primary schools across Europe signed up to the Christmas Tree Decoration Exchange, where schools exchange Christmas tree decorations and information packs about Christmas traditions in their country. Children are always eager to learn about other countries, and this project gave them the chance to do just that.

Sixth class pupils in Scoil Angela decided to make a decoration representative of Irish culture – the Shamrock Santa! Along with a presentation on how they celebrate Christmas at home, a parcel was then posted to 61 schools across Europe, from Wales to Greece. The school received decorations and packs from other schools, with which to decorate their Christmas tree.

The aim of this project was to educate young people in primary schools about other countries in the EU through a creative and fun activity. Each school not only learned about their own culture and traditions through making their decorations and putting together an information pack on Christmas in their region, but also find out about other cultures and traditions. Through learning about Christmas in other countries, it is anticipated that children will learn about other aspects of each country such as language, geography, history and culture, and therefore gain a better understanding of what it means to be a citizen of Europe.

You can see some of the Christmas information packs from European schools at Thurles Library, The Source. Europe Direct Information Centre is your local link to Europe. This event received funding from the European Commission.

Recital of Christmas Music at Kilarney Library

A Recital of Christmas Music from around Europe by Marina Cassidy, International Soloist and Miram O’Sullivan-Long, Flautist was held on Tuesday, 8th of December at 7.00 p.m.The recital began with background information on the Europe Direct Service and then formally welcomed all attending and introduced the performers.

The recital was excellent and included music from many countries throughout Europe, the quality of Ms.Cassidys voice and her gifted harp playing combined with her ability to interpret her material, musically and emotionally, enhanced the evening greatly. Ms.O’Sullivan-Long’s flute playing was uplifting and together they created a wonderful start to Christmas 2009.

As part of the recital Killarney library distributed song music sheets with details of some of the carols which the performers did on the night, this added greatly to the enjoyment for the audience and increased their participation at the e

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