Library

New, just for the ladies; “The Lace Makers of Glenmara” by Heather Barbieri. Kate Robinson is traveling through Ireland, the homeland of her family. She is seeking an elusive something in her life after a broken love affair and the loss of her dear mother. Always in Kate’s mind is her mother’s words, “You can always start again, all it takes is a new thread”.

On a very rain drenched evening, Kate lands in the seaside village of Glenmara, a long forgotten small village on the west coast. Her first acquaintances are Bernie and Aileen, two of the ladies of the town who make and sell lace at the fair. The author introduces us to Bernie, recently widowed; Aileen, who has forgotten what it is like to be young; Oona, Moira, Colleen all lace makers with their own outlook on life. There is Sullivan Deane, who faces his own tragedy.

The local priest, Father Byrne, watches his parish like the old priests of years past. He is sure the Lace Makers Society, who meet more often now that Kate has arrived, is up to something sinful.

The author has depicted real characters, real feelings in this story. One can follow the story and the ladies easily and feel for them, understand their strife and their loves.

Our WSIA Club members have been involved in the wonderful events leading up to the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Included in those happenings are many, many practice sessions at the Club for the young marchers. To the parents of the young children: Sometimes it is difficult for younger siblings to stay occupied while their brothers or sisters are practicing. Why not stop in the McNeeley Library next to the Pub bar and check out some of the reading material we have for them? The Library has material for all ages of children. We have many lovely picture books for the very young. The Library is not open on Sunday, but if you are in the Club Friday evenings or monthly meeting night, we are open. Please ask the librarian on duty to assist you. Your membership card is all you need to check out material.

The McNeeley Library extends their congratulations to the WSIA honorees for 2013: Joe Kilbane, Man of the Year; Marge Flynn, Woman of the Year; Megan Stefancin, Queen and Dan Chambers, parade co-chair with Timothy Leahy. Kevin McGinty, Grand Marshal; Una Ellis, Mother-of-the-Year; Pat Lavelle, Hibernian of the Year.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all.

Children’s Book Review submitted by Laura Reagan Gigliotti

“The Ink Garden of Brother Theopane” by C.M. Millen

During the Dark Ages, monks in medieval monasteries painstak-ingly copied the Bible and other scholarly works by hand, writing on parchment or vellum with inks made from boiled tree bark. The Brothers used bark from the trees to make brown ink. This chil-dren’s book is about a young monk, Brother Theopane, who helps at the monastery in the mountains of Ireland. He grew tired of copying books and started experimenting to create colored ink. He went into the woods to collect bark, berries, leaves and roots. He began making beautiful colors and pictures. Soon the other monks were using his ink to illustrate their manuscripts. It is beautifully illustrated in a style reminiscent of the scribes of the Middle Ages. The simple poetry and thought in the book are based on an actual research of monk’s writings and informal art-work.

Reading this book introduces children to the work of the monks, their habits and creativity in producing different colored inks from nature. One will find scenes of Ireland and her animals.

“The Mother’s Story” by Julia O’Donnell Book review by David Conley The mother of Daniel O’Donnell tells the story of her life in Ireland, raising Daniel and his four siblings. Julia McGonagle was born in 1919 in Owey, off County Donegal, a remote island off the northwest coast of Ire-land. They had to take the ferry to reach a hospital; the children took the ferry to attend school. She spent her young years doing hard labor as a child, such as picking potatoes in Ireland or gutting fish on the ports of Scot-land. She married her beloved, Francie, and had five children. They were a close-knit family. He worked hard and was forced to leave the family for long periods of time to work on the farms in Scotland. But the strenu-ous lifestyle took its toll on him. While still in her for-ties, Julie became a widow, left to raise her children alone. She knitted sweaters to support her family. The relatives in America sold the sweaters, sending the mon-ey back to Julie in Ireland. Then God smiled on her, as two of her children became famous in the world of mu-sic. Both daughter Margo and son Daniel became well known names at the top of the music charts in Ireland; and Daniel enjoys great success in the States. This is a heartwarming story of overcoming adversity, keeping humor in her life, inspiring the children to be the best, and living to see the fruits of her labor. Many of our younger people today could well benefit from this book showing the difference in their abundant lifestyle vs. a sincere struggle just to get through the day. Stop in the McNeeley Library to check out the book.

The Story of Mayo by Rosa Meehan

Whether you are from County Mayo, have family still living there, have visited there while touring Ireland, or just have a curiosity about this very popular part of Ireland; you will enjoy this most enlightening book published by Mayo County Library.
The book describes the people, their culture and work, the land, history, landscape and archaeology. You will discover stories of the people and the political struggles as well as their talents in the arts and sports. Along with wonderful reading, there are many photos from the first train in Mulranny, the Bacon Factory in Castlebar, paintings by local artists to the Holy Mountain of Croagh Patrick. The fascinating story of Grace O’Malley, Pirate Queen, is on page 48. There is an area in the beginning of the book, page 6, written in the Irish language.

Stop in the library any Friday evening, or on regular meeting night and check out this coffee table book. It is available for loan to our members.

A Blessed Christmas from McNeeley Library Committee

McNeeley Library extends to everyone a very Thankful and Happy Thanksgiving. As you start the Christmas shopping tasks, may we suggest a brick for the walkway in honor of that special person? The people honored by the bricks can enjoy it while they are still living. See any librarian for a form to com-plete. The cost is $50.00 per brick. Book review submitted by Laura Gigliotti: Fiona McGilray’s Story, A Journey from Ireland in 1849, by Clara Pastore. Journey to America is a historical fiction series for younger readers. This is the first book in a series by the author on young girls emigrating from their home countries to America. Twelve year old, Fiona, and her family face hard-ships, as many families did during the potato famine. After losing her sister, Fiona’s parents decide to send her and her brother to their relatives in America. In the middle of the night they flee their homeland, heading to Boston. It is a grueling, long voyage, on-ly to arrive in America unable to find their relatives. They live alone in a basement room, finding enough work to survive. This is an introduction for young people to the strug-gles the Irish faced in 1849 during the famine. The story incorporates Irish history and culture. The journey includes sadness, happiness and love of fam-ily, emphasizing survival and determination. Don't forget Sat., Nov. 10th at 2:00 pm in the Abbey Room, Judge Kenneth Callahan will speak about "The Irish in the Civil War". Young people hearing this talk will learn much about their ancestors and the Civil War. Older people will remember history or hearing about history from their older family mem-bers. No charge. Light refreshments served.

WORD HAS IT

WORD HAS IT