Day-long Tour 4: East

Wexford County Public Library Service and Arklow Public Library Service

 

Type of Library: public

Total Distance Return Trip: 272 km

Meeting Point: Convention Centre Dublin

Price per person: € 15

Discover some of Ireland’s finest public libraries along the east coast.

Wexford Public Library is a modern building nestled in a historic site adjacent to the ancient walls of the Wexford town. It is the main public library for County Wexford serving a population of more than 50,000 people. This library is a community hub offering a range of services from a varied event programme to a children’s library, genealogical and digital services. Wexford is the birthplace of award-winning authors John Banville and Colm Toibin as well as Eoin Colfer, author of the Artemis Fowl children’s series. Literature and culture are integral to the people of Wexford and the library is situated in a cultural spine adjacent to the National Opera House – home of the acclaimed Wexford Festival Opera.

Arklow Public Library, which opened in 2016, has 950 square metres of floor space, over two floors. It adjoins Arklow Municipal Council and is a great example of how the library service and local authority work together. The lending collection is on the ground floor, while the first floor hosts a dedicated community room, reference room, exhibition area and IT area. A further visitor attraction is a replica copy of the Book of Kells, which is on display.