Weather Myths: Talk and Q and A with Joanna Donnelly, Carlow County Library

What to Expect

Carlow County Library opens Heritage Week with meteorologist Joanna Donnelly giving an illustrated talk on the story of Irish weather and meteorology, followed by an open question and answer session. The library’s own framing is that the talk mixes science, storytelling and humour to make weather accessible and enjoyable, which is the register Donnelly is known for from her broadcast work.

Two identical hour-long sessions run on the Monday, at 11:00am and 1:00pm, so the numbers are spread across the day. The question and answer element is the part worth turning up for: Irish weather is a subject everyone in the room already has opinions about, and a working meteorologist taking questions on myths and forecasting tends to produce a livelier hour than a straight lecture. Admission is free but Carlow County Council states that advance booking is essential.

Good to Know

• Monday 17 August 2026. Session one 11:00am to 12:00pm, session two 1:00pm to 2:00pm.
• Venue: Carlow County Library, Tullow Street, Carlow Town. Phone 059 912 9705.
• Free of charge.
• Advance booking is essential. Email nshannon@carlowcoco.ie and state which session you want.
• Organised by Carlow County Council, phone 059 917 0300, as part of National Heritage Week 2026.
• The venue is fully wheelchair accessible and accessible by public transport.
• Heritage Week runs across the county from 15 to 23 August, with talks, walks and workshops in all four library branches.

Getting There

Carlow County Library is on Tullow Street in the centre of Carlow Town, so it is a short walk from the Shopping Centre and Potato Market car parks and from Carlow Castle on the river. Carlow railway station on the Dublin Heuston to Waterford line is about ten minutes on foot. Bus Eireann and JJ Kavanagh services from Dublin, Kilkenny, Waterford, Tullow and Bagenalstown stop close by. Street parking on Tullow Street is metered on weekdays.