Kildare Library Service celebrates 100 years
Sam and Ella Dooley at the library celebration
KILDARE County Council’s Library Service celebrated 100 years of public library provision in the county with a special event at Naas Library and Cultural Centre on Saturday 4 July.
The event also included the official Kildare launch of 'The Story of Us: Census 1926' exhibition. The event brought together public representatives, invited guests, cultural partners, library staff, local history contributors, performers and members of the public to celebrate the centenary of Kildare Library Service and reflect on the important role libraries continue to play in communities across the county.
Proceedings opened with a musical tribute by Eoghan Burke, who performed , a tribute to John Devoy from Greenhills, Kill who was central to the Catalpa Rescue in 1876. This year marks the 150 anniversary of the rescue.
To mark the anniversary, visitors also had the opportunity to view an accompanying John Devoy exhibition featuring facsimile documents and photographs courtesy of the National Library of Ireland.
A commemorative booklet and poster were also available, courtesy of Kildare County Council and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.
The event also included addresses from the Cathaoirleach of the County of Kildare, Tim Durkan; Joe Boland, Director of Services, Kildare County Council; Gillian Allen, County Librarian, Kildare County Council and Zoë Reid, keeper of public services and collections at the National Archives of Ireland who all reflected on the significance of the 1926 Census, the evolution of Kildare Library Service and the enduring role of libraries as inclusive community spaces.
Presented in partnership with the National Archives of Ireland, 'The Story of Us: Census 1926' celebrates the public release of the 1926 Census records and offers visitors an opportunity to consider both national history and local family stories.
The Story of Us: Census 1926 is on display until Tuesday, 28 July 2026.
Gillian Allen, County Librarian, Kildare County Council, said: “It was a wonderful occasion, a great way to celebrate the 100 years of libraries under Kildare County Council and the launch of the 1926 Census exhibition. Kildare is only one of ten locations where the exhibition will be on display so it is a great opportunity for people from Co. Kildare to visit Naas Library and Cultural Centre and experience the beautiful building and amazing services on offer and the Census and Devoy exhibitions.
"We have other events planned in July which will complement the exhibitions and the birthday celebrations but most importantly we want to say thank you to our patrons and staff, past and present, who have made this such a wonderful service.”
The John Devoy exhibition will remain on display at Naas Library and Cultural Centre until Tuesday, 28 July 2026.
