culture
Dublin Libraries Launch Book Clubs Across Six Branches for Diverse Readers
Readers in Dublin can join scheduled gatherings at sites from Ballyfermot to Finglas that focus on everything from crime novels to Irish-language titles.
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How we reported this
Dublin City Libraries continue to run regular book clubs at branches including Ballyfermot, Ballymun and Cabra, giving local readers fixed dates to meet and discuss titles without needing to organise groups themselves.
The listings on the libraries' own site show that many of these sessions happen on the same weekday each month, such as the third Tuesday at Ballyfermot or the last Monday at Ballymun. Several branches note that popular groups have waiting lists, which points to steady demand from people who want an affordable way to talk about books with others in their area.
Options for different ages and interests
Ballymun Library runs an Evening Book Club on the last Monday, a separate Murder Book Club on the first Wednesday and a Science Fiction and Fantasy group on the third Wednesday. It also offers Baby and Toddler sessions on weekday mornings during term time. Cabra Library holds a First Wednesday meeting at 7pm and a Points of View group at midday on the second Wednesday. Central Library schedules Page Turners on the first Monday, a Science Fiction slot on the second Tuesday and a Short Stories club on the third Tuesday, plus an Irish-language club called Club Leabhair on the first Tuesday.
Further east, Coolock Library hosts both a Saturday Adult Book Club on the last Saturday and a Tuesday Adult Book Club on the last Tuesday, while its Junior Book Club meets once a month on Saturday mornings for ages 8-12. Dolphin's Barn runs the Grand Canal Book Club on the second Monday. Donaghmede has a Thursday Book Club and an Easy Readers group on the last Thursday. Drumcondra's main book club meets on the last Tuesday, and Finglas runs Bookends on the last Saturday plus an Adult Book Club on the first Thursday, with both taking a break in July and August.
How to join
Anyone interested should email the branch directly or check the library page for current titles and any changes to dates. The listings note that most adult groups meet in the branch itself and that new members are welcome at several locations, including Coolock. Contact details such as ballyfermotlibrary@dublincity.ie or centrallibrary@dublincity.ie appear alongside each entry, making it straightforward for Dublin readers to get on a waiting list or confirm details before turning up.
These programmes sit on the Dublin City Libraries site at https://www.dublincity.ie/library/blog/book-clubs-dublin-city-libraries, which was first posted in November 2024 and remains the clearest public record of what is available at each branch.