Portarlington Women’s shed meet at the Community Centre every Thursday morning for the next few weeks. Starting time 10.30am. New members always welcome 🥰

See poster for details

A reminder of an up coming event promoted by Castletown ICA Guild for your diaries…….Its their Annual Christmas Fair to be held on Sunday the 27th November 2022. It’s a Christmas Fair not to be missed.

See post for details..€20 per cat offer…might be useful to cat owners.

Spink Knitting Group The knitting group in Spink resume activities on Thursday next, November 3rd from 10.30am in Headens Lounge. New members are most welcome so if you enjoy knitting and a chat in a comfortable and cosy setting please come along and join us.

To view post, click link: https://www.leinsterexpress.ie/news/local-news/954667/laois-community-alert-group-urge-vigilance-and-tips-for-winter-criminals.html

NCBI -Portarlington Pre Loved Boutique is looking for Volunteers. A fantastic opportunity to be part of the circular fashion drive. Preloved is the new NEW. Be part of a dynamic team in Portarlington. You can help choose and present the fantastic gems to be found in our fab donations. Roles available for everyone – Treasure hunters , Window artists , tea drinkers , book lovers , film buffs , cashiers , steamers and pricers !!! Everyone brings something different to the role and all extra training will be provided. This is a great opportunity to get involved in a totally new way of charity shopping! Meet new friends, learn new skills, great for your CV. For more information or to apply, please see the link below: https://www.i-vol.ie/volunteer-opportunity/?ID=a004G00000nFjnC

One County, One Book is an initiative that encourages people in Laois to read and discuss the same book together in their communities, libraries, workplaces and schools. The book chosen for this month is Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan, which has just recently been shortlisted for the prestigious Booker Prize. The library service has a large number of copies available to the public to request in branches, in addition to online through our Borrowbox app. We are currently working with book clubs and schools across the county to ensure that as many people as possible get a chance to read. Claire Keegan will also be visiting Laois for the upcoming Leaves Festival in November to take part in readings and workshops, with more information available here. We have recently started lending the Codema Home Energy Saving Kits in our branches for a two-week period. With 5 easy-to-use tools and 6 practical exercises, this kit allows you to get a better understanding of the energy usage in your home, problem areas that may need your attention and ways to improve energy efficiency. The kits are available in Portlaoise, Portarlington, Mountmellick, Abbeyleix, Mountrath, Rathdowney and Durrow – contact the libraries directly to request a kit. Click here for more information. Laois Libraries has a very active social media presence on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Twitter and TikTok. Follow along for updates on all library events, watch videos of our storytimes, baby book clubs, crafts and book reviews, and much more. Click on the icons below to take a look! As always, our range of free online services are available including eBook, eAudiobooks, newspapers, magazines, language classes, online courses and more. For information about these services, please contact your local library or visit https://laois.ie/departments/libraries/. Laois Libraries Online Book Club reads one book a month chosen from the BorrowBox collection. Join us on the last Wednesday of each month when questions are posed for discussion on our Book Club Facebook page. You can join the group via this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/315513126404037. New members are always welcome. Here are some of the free events, activities and clubs taking place in our libraries throughout November – contact the libraries directly for more information or to book a place! Abbeyleix Library – Call 057 8730020 or email abbeyleixlibrary@laoiscoco.ie Staying Connected @ the Library – If you are interested in learning more about your smartphone, tablet, iPad or laptop, register your name with the library for the upcoming series of classes taking place on Friday mornings at 11am. Classes will run on 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th November. Kids Coding Workshop – taking place on Thurs, 10th Nov at 5pm. Do you have a child interested in computer coding, gaming and other applications? Register your interest by calling or emailing the library. Geology Workshop – a children’s workshop on rock and fossil identification will take place on Sat, 19th Nov at 12noon. Learn about different Irish rock types, try to identify samples and take a look at Irish fossils! The session will be followed by a short art and craft session. Register your interest by calling or emailing the library. All welcome! Lego Freeplay – Lego freeplay sessions for children take place every Thursday evening from 4pm-5pm. All welcome! Junior Chess Club – the junior chess club is up and running in Abbeyleix Library! Join us in the library every Saturday morning at 10am to test your logic skills and battle it out with other chess enthusiasts. Adult Book Club – meets on the last Thursday of the month at 6:30pm. Next meeting takes place on Thurs, 24th Nov. Knitting Group – the group meet every Tuesday morning at 10:30am. All levels of skill are welcome to come along for chats and tea. Art Gallery – the gallery is hosting an exhibition by Abbeyleix Photography Club for November. The exhibition contains a mix of photographs taken by enthusiasts from landscapes, animals and portraits taken locally. A launch of the exhibition will take place on Thurs, 3rd Nov at 6pm. All welcome! Durrow Library – Call 057 8736090 or email durrowlibrary@laoiscoco.ie Eating As We Age Talk – As part of Healthy Ireland, join Laura Mahony from LM Nutrition on Tues, 1st Nov at 6:30pm as she discusses healthy eating as we age. Call or email the library for more details. Booking advised. Halloween Craft Table – come along to the library for a special Halloween themed kids craft table on Weds, 2nd Nov from 11am-1pm. Adult Book Club – The club is currently reading the One County, One Book pick of Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan. Next meeting takes place on Tues, 8th Nov at 6pm. All welcome. Lego Creation Competition – Calling all master builders! Join us in the library on Wednesdays from 2pm-4pm for a different Lego building challenge each week. Booking advised. • On 2nd Nov, have fun at a free play Lego session. • On 9th Nov, join forces with one another to create “The Great Wall of Lego”. • On 16th Nov, join forces to create a big MEGA race course. Irish Circle – the Irish Circle group will meet up in the library on Tues, 15th Nov, Tues, 22nd Nov and Tues, 29th Nov at 6:30pm. Call or email the library for more details. Storytime and Craft – Join Amy in the library on Weds, 23rd Nov at 2:15pm for a reading of Barry, the Fish with Fingers and a special craft. Call or email the library for more details. Santa Letter Workshop – Come along to the library for a Christmas workshop to write your letter to Santa on Weds, 30th Nov from 2pm-4pm. You will also get a chance to post your letter in the special library post box for delivery to the North Pole! Booking advised. Mountmellick Library – Call 057 8644572 or email mountmellicklibrary@laoiscoco.ie Kids Cooking Workshop – join Deirdre Doyle from the Cool Food School for this special Halloween themed cookery workshop on Thurs, 3rd