“For my tenth birthday my parents gave me a second-hand bicycle and Pappa sent me a second-hand atlas. Already I was an enthusiastic cyclist, though I had never before owned a bicycle, and soon after my birthday I resolved to cycle to India one day. I have never forgotten the exact spot, on a steep hill near Lismore, where this decision was made.
Half-way up I rather proudly looked at my legs, slowly pushing the pedals around, and the thought came “If I went on doing this for long enough I could get to India.”
Wheels Within Wheels: Autobiography, Dervla Murphy, 1979
Dervla Murphy, was born in Lismore Co Waterford in 1931. For her tenth birthday she received a secondhand bicycle and began planning her travels to India. In her 30s she cycled to India, Tibet, Nepal and Ethiopia, the beginning of a lifetime of travel and writing, resulting in over 20 books and journeys to Peru, Cuba, Israel, Gaza, Madagascar, South Africa, Kenya, Zimbabwe, Romania and Northern Ireland.
Dervla sadly passed away this year, on May 22 2022, in her home in Lismore.
Dervla’s father Fergus Murphy had been the first Waterford County Librarian; in recent years, she donated her beloved bike ‘Roz’ to the library at Lismore that her father had established.
“Roz” the bicycle is now on display in Lismore Library, as part of the Lismore Immrama Festival of Travel Writing taking place from June 16th – 19th. You are very welcome to visit us at Lismore Library to view “Roz” and find out more about Dervla Murphy’s life and work.
“I regard this sort of life, with just Roz and me and the sky and the earth as sheer bliss.”
Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle, Dervla Murphy, 1965
Ray Lomasney from Melbourne Australia with “Roz”. Ray has travelled to Coorg (India), the subject of Dervla Murphy’s work, “On a Shoestring to Coorg” and is a huge fan of her work. He was thrilled to find Roz in the library.
Ardkeen Library are starting a new Draughts Club for adults on Thursday mornings, the first meeting is on Thursday 15th of June at 10:30... Read More
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Join us for Family Time at your Library with our Seasonal Christmas Stories and Craft session. Let’s wear our Christmas jumpers and celebrate together!... Read More
Join us for festive Stories & Crafts in Ardkeen Library. Date: Friday 15th December. Times: Session 1 for ages 0 – 3 yrs at... Read More
Join us in Tallow Library for a Christmas themed play and music adventure with Ready Steady Play. Suitable for 0–5-year-olds. On Monday 18th December... Read More
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National Public Library Strategy 2023-2027 – The Library is the Place
Plean Forbatha na Leabharlainne 2017-2022
Library Development Plan 2017 – 2022
Ár leabharlanna Poiblí 2022 – Pobail a Spreagadh, a Cheangal agus a Chumasú
Our Public Libraries 2022: Inspiring, Connecting and Empowering Communities
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