12 March 2021
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Cork County Council Library and Arts Service continues to mark Seachtain na Gaeilge, culminating in a range of activities for St. Patrick’s Day in Cork County.
Library branches across the county will decorate their windows, with two very special window displays in Bandon and Mitchelstown Libraries.
Bandon Library will be working in partnership with Bandon Brownies this March to help them achieve their all-important Book Lover’s Badge. Although Covid restrictions have made achieving this Journey Badge a little different this year, Bandon Brownies have risen to the challenge by getting creative, designing colourful posters that will decorate the Library windows. Colourful, imaginative scenes from some of the books they have loved, drawings of their favourite literary characters, and pictures describing what it is that they love about their local Library will form part of the artwork on display.
Bandon Brownies traditionally march in the local St. Patrick’s Day parade which cannot take place this year. Instead, one of the Brownies Leaders living locally will film the route for the troupe and the exhibition in the Library’s windows will play a key feature. The exhibition will be on display until April 10th.
Mitchelstown Library Writers Group, who meet virtually every Friday, have submitted short stories for a window display in Mitchelstown Library. The stories include fond recollections of Irish culture, tradition, song and dance through the years in North Cork and beyond. The short stories will be exhibited for the month of March.
The Council’s Library Service will also deliver a series of videos by Manchan Magan, based on his book “Thirty-Two Words for Field’ as well as a podcast by the Local Studies Department, all about St. Patrick.
Mayor of the County of Cork Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley welcomed these alternative celebrations saying,
“Bandon Brownies and the Mitchelstown reading group are two examples of the many ways in which communities throughout the county have used creativity to continue to support one another. It has been truly inspirational to see residents both young and old find new ways to come together and share in our heritage. I invite everyone to celebrate creativity, community and heritage for this year’s Seachtain na Gaeilge and St. Patrick’s Day. Although we have experienced many challenges over the past year, we have much to celebrate and brighter days ahead to look forward to.”
Craft packs for children can be requested to accompany our recent video showing you how to make a St. Patrick’s Day wreath. To avail of a pack, email corkcountylibrary@corkcoco.ie.
