Ireland Reads at Sligo County Libraries

Ireland Reads at Sligo County Libraries

Throughout February and especially on Ireland Reads Day, February 28th, we’re calling on people across Ireland to get lost in a good book. It doesn’t matter what you read, where you read or how well you read, as long as you read.

Because taking time to relax and do things you enjoy is important and reading is good for you. It relaxes your body by lowering your heart rate and easing the tension in your muscles. Studies have even shown that reading boosts your mental health by reducing stress by up to 68%.​

Ireland Reads is an initiative of the Government of Ireland to celebrate the joy of reading. It is funded by Healthy Ireland and supported by public libraries and many organisations that promote reading, literacy and the arts.

All you have do is sit down for a read, for as long or as short a time as you can, and lose yourself in an adventure, a thriller, a romance, a comedy or all of the above.

So go on, get lost.

www.irelandreads.ie

Sligo Central Library

sligolib@sligococo.ie | 0719111675

Toddle Time Special: Baby Sensory Session

Friday 27th February

10.00am

Suitable for ages 0-13 months

Join us on Friday morning at 10am for a special event with Baby Sensory Northwest: Precious Early Learning for Babies.

Baby Sensory classes create calm, joyful moments for you and your little one. Through songs, cuddles, and gentle play, you’ll strengthen your bond and learn to read your baby’s cues. Each session follows their rhythm, helping you relax, connect, and enjoy the wonder of early discovery together.

Book your place:

  • Email: sligolib@sligococo.ie
  • Phone: 0719111675

Liz Weir MBE Storytelling Session

Saturday 28th February

11.30am

Suitable for ages 6+

Liz Weir MBE (author of Boom Chicka Boom) has spent her life telling stories wherever people are willing to listen. Her work spans continents and communities, bringing traditional tales and personal narratives to audiences of all ages. Recognised internationally for her contribution to storytelling, Liz believes in story as a shared human experience — one that belongs as much in everyday spaces as on the world’s great stages.

Book your place:

  • Email: sligolib@sligococo.ie
  • Phone: 0719111675

Children’s Board Games Free-Play

Saturday 28th February

2.30pm – 4.30pm

An open event for children to drop into Sligo Central Library and have fun in our Busy Bees Area playing a variety of board games!

No booking required

Sligo Library’s Thriller & True Crime Book Club

Saturday 28th February

3.00pm – 4.00pm

Enjoy true crime and edge-of-your-seat thrillers? Join us for the launch of Sligo Library’s newest book club for adults.

If you’re interested in joining contact:
  • Email: sligolib@sligococo.ie
  • Phone: 0719111675

Ballymote Community Library

ballymotelibrary@sligococo.ie | 0719111669

Lisa Cannon storytime and sing-along session

Saturday 28th February

11.00am

Children’s event.

All ages

Event for children of all ages – No booking necessary

New Book Club Launch

Saturday 28th February

12.00pm

If you’re interested in joining a new book club (for adults), please get in touch:

  • Email: ballymotelibrary@sligococo.ie
  • Phone: 0719111668
  • Message: Ballymote Community Library’s Facebook page

Tubbercurry Community Library

tubberlibrary@sligococo.ie | 0719111705

Liz Weir MBE Storytelling Session

**CLOSED EVENT**

Friday 27th February

Saturday Storytime

Saturday 28th February

10.00am

Join Tubbercurry Community Library staff on Saturday 28th February at 10am for a toddler and baby storytime!  With fun stories, floor play time, and a chance for parents to meet up as well.  Part of Ireland Reads Day 2026 – because even the littlest of readers can get lost in a good book!

No booking required.

Children’s Chess Club

Every Saturday Morning at 11.30am

Contact Tubbercurry Library for more information

Non-Fiction Book Club Launch

Saturday 28th February

12.00pm

If you’re interested in joining a new non-fiction book club (for adults), please get in touch:
  • Email: tubberlibrary@sligococo.ie
  • Phone: 0719111705
  • Message: Tubbercurry Community Library’s Facebook page

Ireland Reads Ambassadors – Sligo Central Library

Get Lost in a Good Book with Ireland Reads Ambassador Val Robus
Val is a loyal Sligo County Libraries member who regularly visits several branches and makes wonderful use of a wide range of our services. She has always been an enthusiastic advocate for the library, and we’re delighted to thank her for sharing her love of reading with us for Ireland Reads 2026.

Get Lost in a Good Book with Ireland Reads Ambassadors Dawn and Arthur
February 28th is Ireland Reads Day, but our library users have been sharing with us how they love to read every day of the year.
Dawn, a member of our Sligo Library Book Club, has shared with us some wonderful photos of how she and her son Arthur like to ‘Get Lost in a Good Book’!

Dawn said:
I have a soon-to-be three-year-old, and he’s had a library card since he was just a few months old. I bring him to the library often (usually a few times a month), and he loves books and gets excited to take the books home. He particularly likes reading science/factual books about fish or, more recently, dinosaurs – we just finished reading one about the Great Barrier Reef and are now making our way through one about weird sea facts. We usually go to Ballymote on Thursday evenings – the train set is also popular.
But I read a lot too – usually about 120 books a year. Between BorrowBox audio/ebooks and physical library books (most of which are holds), I think library books comprise 65-80% of my books each year. I read every day, and mix up my media/genre/book type depending on mood/life.

Thank you, Dawn, for sharing your and Arthur’s love of reading, and for the lovely photos reminding us that it’s never too early to fall in love with libraries and books!

Get Lost in a Good Book with Mercy Primary School 2nd Class and teacher Niamh Middleton!

Téigh ar strae I leabhar maith le Ciorcal Comhrá Lár Leabharlann Shligigh.

Get Lost in a Good Book with Ireland Reads Ambassador Wayne O’Connor
Wayne is a familiar face across all Sligo County Library branches, bringing creativity, imagination and energy to our art, gaming and storytelling events. His sessions are always fully booked and hugely enjoyed by the children who attend.
A dedicated library member, Wayne also visits regularly with his daughter, making the most of everything the library has to offer. We’re delighted to thank him for sharing his enthusiasm for reading and creativity with us for Ireland Reads 2026.

Get Lost in a Good Book with Ireland Reads Ambassador Joe Keaney
Well known and well-loved around Sligo, Joe spent many years as part of the Sligo County Libraries family before retiring. We couldn’t resist inviting him back to help us spread the Ireland Reads message.
We promise…it’s all about getting lost in the right way!

Get Lost in a Good Book with Ireland Reads Ambassador Edel Weston
Edel is a regular library customer and an avid reader who makes great use of our inter-library loan system. Thanks so much for sharing your love of reading with us for Ireland Reads 2026, Edel!

Get Lost in a Good Book with Ireland Reads Ambassador Clodagh Plunkett & St. Michael’s Book Club
Thank you to St. Michael’s Book Club member Clodagh Plunkett, who took the time to talk to us about her love of books and the library. What a lovely tale of being introduced to the library at an early age, carrying that enjoyment for reading throughout her life, and passing a love for reading on to her own children.

Get Lost in a Good Book with Ireland Reads Ambassador Jonathan Price
Jonathan regularly visits Sligo Library and is also a member of our Down Syndrome Book Club. He has been known to pop in to a few of our storytimes as well! Thank you for sharing your love of the library with us for Ireland Reads 2026, Jonathan.

Get Lost in a Good Book with Ireland Reads Ambassador Emilee Jennings
Emilee is a regular visitor to Sligo Library with her children, and she also treasures the chance to take a little time for herself while she’s here. Even in the busyness of family life, she keeps reading part of her nightly routine and has passed that love of books on to her children. Inspiring a lifelong love of reading starts at home, and we’re so delighted to see it in action. Thank you for sharing your story with us, Emilee.

Get Lost in a Good Book with Ireland Reads Ambassador John Colleary

We’re delighted to welcome comedian, actor, and writer John Colleary as a brand-new member of Sligo Libraries! He generously took the time to chat with us about his joining experience and shared that he’s especially looking forward to diving into our audiobook collection.

Welcome, John!  We hope you make the most of all our services and enjoy many great listens ahead!

Looking for some reading recommendations?