Waterford City and County Libraries

13/10/2026

Behind Closed Doors: Waterford’s Magdalene Laundry
📍 Ardkeen Library
📅 Tuesday 27th October
⏰ 6:30pm

For 140 years, a Magdalene Laundry operated behind closed doors in Waterford, its true history obscured by silence and institutional secrecy. Run by the Good Shepherd Sisters from 1858 onwards, this institution became synonymous with exploitation, forced labour and systematic abuse.

In recent years, survivors have come forward to reveal the harsh realities of life inside this institution, challenging the narratives of redemption and reform that long dominated public perception. Join us for this informative and moving talk on the history of Waterford's Magdalene Laundry with historian, author and podcaster Fin Dwyer.

13/10/2026

Great costumes coming in for our Costume Swap this Thursday!

Drop off open from 10am and Swap starts at 3:30pm.

13/10/2026

Please note that all branches of Waterford City and County Library Service will be closed on Wednesday, 14th October 2026, due to nationwide Industrial Action.

Waterford City and County Council wishes to advise that due to planned nationwide industrial action all Waterford City and County Council buildings, including libraries, facilities and amenity sites will be closed to the public on Wednesday, October 14th.

The Council will have contingency arrangements in place to support the continued delivery of essential services. However, delays and changes to normal service arrangements should be expected.

Fire services and emergency homeless services will not be affected by this industrial action.

Members of the public can continue to contact Waterford City and County Council by calling 0818 10 20 20. Please note that, during the period of industrial action, all calls will be redirected to the Council’s out-of-hours/emergency services numbers.

Waterford City and County Council regrets any inconvenience this may cause and appreciates the public’s understanding.

13/10/2026

Fréamhaca (Fray – ava – ka) is an Irish language word meaning roots. At Garter Lane Arts Centre, we believe that all artists living and working in Waterford should be connected to and rooted within the local arts ecosystem.

Garter Lane Arts Centre would like to hear from artists and creatives living and working in Waterford and the South East who are migrants or from an ethnically minoritised background with a view to getting to know our neighbours and creative community better.

We intend to learn more about the barriers facing artists with a view to potentially supporting a network or facilitating a space to share and create together.

If you have any questions or feedback, please email Sinéad at [email protected] with Fréamhaca in the subject line.

For more information and to participate, please scan the QR Code on screen or see here - https://garterlane.ie/events/freamchaca-roots/

Garter Lane Arts Centre is supported by the arts council of Ireland.

13/10/2026

We're getting ready for spooky season in Carrickphierish Library!

Pop in and check out our ghost stories, scary movies and witchy books for all ages!

13/10/2026

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13/10/2026

South East Technological University SETU Faculty of Education and Lifelong Learning SETU Education and Lifelong Learning Sing Ireland Waterford City and County Council Waterford Learning City Waterford Arts Waterford City and County Libraries fans

12/10/2026

Author Event✍📖
Ardal O'Hanlon and Antti Toumainen in Conversation!

🕐4:00pm
📆Monday, 19th October
📌Carrickphierish Library

Waterford Libraries welcome authors Ardal O'Hanlon and Antti Tuomainen Author who will be in conversation with Mary Conway, Waterford City & County Librarian, for a very special Writers at Waterford Libraries event in partnership with Murder One, Ireland's International Crime Writing Festival.

Free Event - Booking Required
Contact Carrickphierish Library on: 051 849696

Ardal O’Hanlon is one of the world’s best-loved stand up comedians. He has written an acclaimed bestselling novel, The Talk Of The Town, which was included in the book, 1001 Books You Must Read before you Die and in 2022 released his second novel, Brouhaha.
His latest book A Plot to Die For was published in April this year.

Antti Tuomainen is one of Finland’s most acclaimed and award-winning crime fiction writers.

Murder One

12/10/2026

🎃Halloween Costume Swap at Ardkeen Library!👻

Is your house cluttered with old costumes from Halloween past? Fancy turning your pirate into a princess? Or your small skeletons into spooky spiders?

Why not swap them for a new-to-you costume?

🔶From October 1st: Drop off KIDS costumes at Ardkeen Library and recieve a ticket . (Costumes must be clean and in wearable condition)

🔶Thursday October 15th: From 3:30 - 4:30 come to our Boo-tiful Bootique to choose a new-to-you costume

Swap, don't shop, and join us for a sustainable Halloween and cut the costs of dressing up this year!