Services and Programmes

Cork Lives

Throughout November, join us in a series of readings by the biographers of prominent Cork people, from the world of politics, sport, literature and dance, accompanied by an exhibition on of books on Cork People all month.

Central Library, Grand Parade

Big Book Swap

Saturday, 7 November at Central Library, Grand Parade

Exchange books you no longer need for others you haven’t read yet.

Michael Holroyd on the Craft of the Biography

Tuesday, 10 November at 7.30p.m.
Central Library, Grand Parade
Free but ticketed

Critically acclaimed author Michael Holroyd was born in 1935. His first book was a biography of the writer Hugh Kingsmill, published in 1964. The publication in 1967 and 1968 of his biography of Lytton Strachey was hailed as a landmark in contemporary biography and, six years later, his biography of the painter Augustus John confirmed his place as one of the most influential modern biographers. The four volumes of Holroyd's life of Bernard Shaw appeared between 1988 and 1992 to critical acclaim.  His most recent book A Strange Eventful History (2008) is the story of two theatrical dynasties - those of Ellen Terry and Henry Irving.

An Amazing Cork Life: Mary Pike – Abducted Heiress

Thursday, 26 November at 7.30p.m.
Douglas Library

For The Readers’ Senate in Douglas Library on Thursday 26 November, there will be a talk on the story of the abduction of Mary Pike in Cork in July 1797. Mary Pike, a wealthy heiress, whose family owned Bessborough House, was kidnapped by Sir Henry Brown Hayes (son of Attiwell Hayes, brewer, miller and owner of the Cork Glasshouse Co.) and forced into a marriage ceremony at his home in Vernon Mount in Cork. She was subsequently rescued by her family. After his trial in 1801, Sir Henry was transported as a convict to Australia where he spent 12 years. He was later pardoned and returned to Cork. He died in Vernon Mount in 1832. Mary Pike died in the same year, having suffered severe mental illness for some time.
Anne Mercier, who has done extensive research on the subject both in Ireland and Australia, will give an in-depth account of this fascinating story, with background information on all the principal characters and locations, which should be of notable local interest.