a whole new world

Dublin Digital Day Event, Grafton Street, Friday, 8th March.

Create a digital memory, using your old photographs, on Digital Dublin Day, Friday 8th March. 

Do you have some old photographs of Dublin or Dubliners lying around at home? Perhaps a snapshot of friends meeting under Clery's Clock? Or photographs that show Dublin shops, pubs or other buildings in the background? Read more »

The Business Information Centre has a book display on What's new in the EU. I believe that it is well worth seeing (not only because I was partly involved in collating it) but because it coincides with the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU, it promotes the services we provide here and has booklets and handouts on offer, including European Union maps, all right up-to-date and free of charge to take with you.    Read more »

Looking at the list of the most borrowed adult fiction titles in our libraries in recent weeks, even I was surprised at the level of dominance of thrillers and crime fiction. It must be true to say that crime holds an endless fascination for readers the world over. I would venture that over 50% of the top 20 adult fiction titles are in the thriller/crime category. The following is a listing of the most popular of those, and for me it is noticeable that two Scottish authors feature at the top: Read more »

Spring is on the way! Time to shake off the winter blues and plan a holiday, as it’s one of the nicest times of year to travel. While travel guides are great for practical advice on where to stay, what to eat, and what jabs you need, travel writing brings a much more personal and human view of countries and cities. The best ones  are great for bringing to life places you might not have considered visiting, and  make you want to pack up and head off straightaway. Read more »

Today, the 11th February, marks the 23rd anniversary of the release from prison of South African anti-apartheid campaigner Nelson Mandela in 1990. Mandela had been held in prison for 27 years. He was awarded the Freedom of the City of Dublin in September 1988, which, due to his then incarceration, was accepted on his behalf by Adelaide Tambo, wife of the then leader of the African National Congress (ANC).  

Right: This photo shows Nelson Mandela accepting the Freedom of the City of Dublin from the then Lord Mayor, Sean Haughey, on the 1st July 1990, almost two years after it had been awarded to him. View larger version in our online Image Gallery.

Mandela was however able to send a message to the people of Dublin through his solicitor Mr. Ismail Ayob. It was the first such communication from Mandela to the outside world in twenty-six years. Mandela's message noted that he regarded the Irish 'as the original freedom fighters'. Read more »

What are you entitled to?  Are you unemployed? What courses may assist you? If any of these questions rouse your interest please read on.

The Business Information Centre will host a 2-hour session in the Central Library where a representative from the INOU (Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed) will be in attendance.  He will answer any short queries of a general nature on site, and if you have more personal queries, he will arrange a private meeting at base for these.

This session will be held on Tuesday, 19th February, from 2.30pm - 4.30pm, and all are welcome. As ever it is free to attend!