March brings warmer days, spring showers, greener grass and, of course, St. Patrick’s Day! There is a certain mystical aura that surrounds the emerald isle of Ireland, and many people will be celebrating that on March 17th this year! Whether you’re fascinated by Ireland, planning a trip, or just looking to get into the St. Paddy’s spirit, SCPL has you covered!
Programs: We’ve got a few programs that you can attend this month in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day! One program you don’t want to miss is the McTeggart Irish Dancers! The award-winning Kentucky McTeggart Irish Dancers have been teaching and performing Irish dance in Kentucky since 1995. This is a free program! Then bring your little one, and find the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, at our Storytime on March 16th. Hear stories, sing songs, and then make a rainbow craft! If your children are too old for storytime, how about signing them up for our Tween St. Patrick’s Day Minute-to-Win-It program?
Books: We’ve certainly got spirit when it comes to Irish themed literature! We have over 1,000 books that are either about Ireland, set in Ireland, have Irish characters, celebrate Irish culture and history, or just pertain to the isle in general! With so many books it can be difficult to know where to start, so how about coming into the library and checking out our St. Patrick’s themed book displays? These books are handpicked by our staff and you’re sure to find something that interests you! Still not sure what you’re looking for? Tune into Bookends! Our monthly virtual episode where Librarian Jessica shares her latest favorite reads! This month she picked her favorite romances, mysteries, and more, that feature Ireland! You can watch Bookends on our Facebook page or YouTube.
DVDs and CDs: Maybe you don’t have time to read these days. Hey, even if we’re a library, we understand. That’s why we’ve got more to offer than just books! You can find wonderful Irish bands and musicians in our CD collection and discover wonderful stories, documentaries, and travel guides in our DVD collection!
Friend’s Bookstore: Are you looking to add some Irish themed books to your permanent collection? Come visit the Friend’s Bookstore here at the library! You can find a small collection of books about or set in Ireland. Included in this limited collection are travel guides, the perfect companion if you are planning a trip to the emerald isle! Funds from the Friend’s Bookstore go to benefit our library, so you can get great books for great prices, and feel good about your purchase!
Genealogy: Did you know that during the mass emigration from Ireland, a large number of Irish people settled right here in the Bluegrass? In fact, much of what we consider Appalachian Culture has its roots from the Irish (and the Scots). You can even see their presence still today in the beautiful cobblestone fences around Scott County and beyond. If you’re interested in learning more about the history of the early Irish in America, visit our Kentucky Room. Specifically, if you’re looking to explore your own family history, you can find genealogy records in the Kentucky Room collections or visit our E-resource, Ancestry. There are many free features to explore with your library card!
No matter how you’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day this year, we wish you a happy spring filled with the luck of the Irish!
“Always remember to forget
The things that made you sad.
But never forget to remember
The things that made you glad.”
– Irish Blessing