Gaoth Dobhair public library officially opened by Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, Dinney McGinley T.D.

Donegal Cultural Services

1st June

Donegal’s newest public library in Gaoth Dobhair was officially opened on Friday 1st June

Donegal’s newest public library in Gaoth Dobhair was officially opened to the public on Friday the 1st of June by Minister of State for the Gaeltacht, Dinny McGinley T.D. The delegation and visitors included County Mayor Noel McBride and various elected members and local representatives.

The library located in Áislann Ghaoth Dobhair in Derrybeg, has seen a huge increase in usage since the library opened its doors to the public in October 2011. 1,230 new members have joined and have borrowed just over 14,000 items.

Speaking at the opening Donegal County Manager, Seamus Neely, said ‘ The role that libraries have in society is becoming more multifaceted, providing a community space, a learning space, allocation for cultural events, meeting place and technological hubs with the introduction of WIFI, internet, reading assistance technology and self service areas. Although their business is still based on books and information provision, the way these are made available and the activities flowing from them are changing, particularly in an electronic age.’ In his speech the Mayor, Noel McBride took the opportunity to commend the input of Údaras Na Gaeltachta, without whom the project may not have gone ahead.

The community of Gaoth Dobhair turned out in force to welcome Minister McGinley and celebrate the opening of their new facility.   The launch started with beautiful music by local musicians from An Crann Óg followed by poetry by local poet Eoghan Nellie MacGiolla Bhríde. Some users of the library had the opportunity to say a few words about what their new library meant to them before the Minister officially declared the library open. Avid library user Gráinne Ní Ghallachoir and pupil of Scoil Mhuire Doire Beaga   said “ I am very happy there is a library like this here in Gaoth Dobhair and I am sure that I will be using it forever.”

Following the speeches children were treated to storytelling and face painting. The proceedings were truly a celebration of the great new facilities that the library provides for the community of Gaoth Dobhair and surrounding areas. For more information on opening hours and other facilities please contact the library on 074 9560862 or check out the library website.

Rinneadh an leabharlann phoiblí is úire i nDún na nGall a oscailt go hoifigiúil i nGaoth Dobhair Dé Aoine an 1ú Meitheamh 2012. Is é Aire Stáit na Gaeltachta Donnchadh Mac Fhionnlaoich a rinne an oscailt oifigiúil. I measc na dtoscaireachtaí agus na gcuairteoirí a bhí i láthair, bhí Méara an Chontae Noel Mac Giolla Bhríde mar aon le roinnt comhaltaí tofa agus ionadaithe áitiúla. Tá méadú suntasach tagtha ar úsáid na leabharlainne, atá lonnaithe in Áislann Ghaoth Dobhair, ó d’oscail sé don phobal i mí Dheireadh Fómhair 2011. Tá 1,230 ball nua cláraithe ann ón am sin agus os cionn 14,000 leabhar agus ábhar eile tugtha amach ar iasacht.

Dúirt Bainisteoir an Chontae Seamus Neely ag an oscailt. “Tá an ról atá ag leabharlanna sa phobal ag éirí níos ilghnéithí, ag soláthar spás pobail, spás foghlama, ait le haghaidh imeachtaí cultúrtha, áit le haghaidh cruinnithe agus moil teicneolaíochta le WIFI, idirlíon, teicneolaíocht le cúnamh le léamh agus pointí féinseirbhíse. Cé go bhfuil a gcuid gnó bunaithe ar leabhair agus soláthar faisnéise, tá athrú ag teacht ar an mbealach atáthar a gcur ar fáil, go háirithe sa ré leictreonach."

Ina óráid, ghlac an Méara Noel Mac Giolla Bhríde an deis le hionchur Údarás na Gaeltachta a mholadh agus dúirt sé nach mbeadh an tionscadal ábalta leanúint ar aghaidh gan iad.

Tháinig slua de phobal Ghaoth Dobhair amach chun fáilte a chur roimh an Aire Mac Fhionnlaoich agus chun oscailt na háise nua a cheiliúradh. Cuireadh tús leis an seoladh le ceol galánta ón ghrúpa áitiúil, an Crann Óg, agus ina dhiaidh sin léigh Eoghan Nellie Mac Giolla Bhríde roinnt píosaí as a shaothair féin. Sular oscail an tAire an leabharlann go hoifigiúil fuair roinnt d’úsáideoirí na leabharlainne an deis cúpla focal a rá faoin mhéid is fiú an leabharlann dóibh. Dúirt Gráinne Ní Ghallchóir, dalta de chuid Scoil Mhuire, na Doirí Beaga:   “Tá mé iontach sásta go bhfuil leabharlann mar seo i nGaoth Dobhair agus tá mé cinnte go mbeidh mé á húsáid go deo.”  

Bhí scéalaíocht agus péintéireacht aghaidhe ann do pháistí tar éis na n-óráidí chomh maith.   Gan aon amhras, b’ócáid cheiliúrtha a bhí ann i leith na n-áiseanna iontacha atá an leabharlann á gcur ar fáil do phobal Ghaoth Dobhair agus don ceantar máguaird.

Chun tuilleadh eolais a fháil maidir le huaireanta oscailte agus áiseanna eile déan teagmháil leis an leabharlann ar (074) 9560862 nó seiceáil suíomh idirlín na leabharlainne.