Meet Some of Our Library Clubs
Mullingar All Star Club
The All Star Book Club for adults has been meeting monthly in Mullingar Library since May 2022. During the meetings, everyone gathers to catch up and share their thoughts on the books, with library staff serving as facilitators. Before the club started in 2022, library staff took part in a preparatory training session with Down Syndrome Ireland and two future members of the club, Fintan and Monica. This was hugely beneficial for staff and helped the members develop a sense of ownership of the club from the beginning.
The club has since fostered new friendships among members and library staff, and experience has been incredibly successful, with a significant boost seen in members’ confidence, independence, and feelings of empowerment.
“I enjoy reading and preparing for the book club. I take the roll call and write down the date for the next meeting. It’s good to express yourself and explore new books.”
Monica
The Trinity College Dublin Club
The club at Trinity College Dublin is made up of students from the Trinity Centre for People with Intellectual Disabilities programme and meets monthly as the Jammers Book Club.
“Clubs are important for cohesion and belonging and we are delighted that the library has become a welcoming space”, says club facilitator Geraldine.
As well as reading, the club has also started experimenting with fun crafting sessions including an end-of-term activity where they designed and threaded their very own books!
Watch founding member Niamh speak about the club here.
Celbridge Library Teen Club
The Strawberry Jam club consists of a group of students from St. Raphael’s Special School in Kildare. What began as a monthly book club has grown into a much-loved programme, with teachers incorporating the club into their Junior Cycle curriculum. The students enjoy their monthly sessions so much that the group gathers at the library every two weeks. The club is also working with the library to design their own children’s book – more to come on this in the future!
Kells Reading Kids Club
The Reading Club in Kells Library is our first library club exclusively for our younger members! Started in September 2025, the children meet monthly with facilitator Rachel to listen to a story read by librarian staff.
Each child is also encouraged to read aloud a piece that they have practiced over the month, with the meeting finishing with a fun crafting session that everyone gets to take home!
How To Get Involved
To check if there is a club near you or to find out about starting one, please contact Sinéad Flynn, Head of Adult Education, Self Advocacy and Community Engagement, at sinead@downsyndrome.ie or 086 103 5335.