Little Laois boy from Brazil who loved reading remembered with new library in Portlaoise

A tribute to a young Brazilian boy who grew up in Laois and passed away following a sudden heart condition has been unveiled at the Laois Partnership Company headquarters.

The LABRAS Little Library is a community library located just outside the offices on New Road, Portlaoise. It features a selection of children’s books written in Portuguese. Besides encouraging children to embrace the written word though the joy of reading, the initiative is designed to promote Portuguese as a heritage language.

The library is named after Antony Perissato de Aguiar, who tragically lost his life aged just seven after developing a heart condition while playing on a bouncy castle.

The library was launched on Friday, October 3, with guests from the Embassy of Brazil in Ireland, along with representatives of the Laois Brazilian Support Association (LABRAS) and members of the local Brazilian community.

Welcoming everyone to the event, Community Development Officer Cassia O’Neill, who is originally from Brazil but lives in Ireland, explained that the little library is more than wood and paint.

“It’s a space where stories will live, where our children can connect with their roots, and where our community can continue to grow together. The library is a symbol of belonging, connection, and shared culture and care,” said Casa.

CEO of Laois Partnership Company Caroline Lydon said she was delighted that so many people from both the Brazilian community and other communities have chosen to make Laois their home. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Some of the attendees at the launch. Pic: Laois Partnership

“We truly believe that makes our communities and our society a more rich, vibrant and creative space for everybody to be in, and for our children to grow in and develop,” said Ms Lydon.

She echoed Cassia’s remarks in recognising the little library as being more than just a collection of books, describing it as a symbol of the shared importance both Irish and Brazilian communities place on children, family, education, development and growth.

Special guest, João Marcelo Costa Melo, Second-Secretary for the Embassy of Brazil to Ireland, said it was a brilliant initiative, as one of the Embassy’s priorities is to promote the Portuguese language in Ireland and establish it as a heritage language. He said that the Brazilian community in Ireland has grown rapidly in recent years, with the last census in 2022 revealing that the number of people speaking Portuguese in Ireland was 44,000.

The little boy in whose honour the library was founded was remembered by LABRAS committee member Patricia Diotto, who described Antony as a very special little Brazilian who loved Ireland deeply.

“He left us far too soon at the age of seven, leaving wonderful memories and a space in our hearts that will always hold him dear,” Patricia said. MORE BELOW PHOTO.

Some of the books in the library. Pic: Laois Partnership

She said that Antony adored reading, which is why the library is dedicated to “our guardian of children’s books here in Laois”.

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Friends of the family, Daniela and Augusto Cocuzzi also shared their memories of Antony, explaining that his parents have now left Ireland to start a new life. In an emotional tribute, Daniela said that Antony was a very special boy who, despite his Brazilian roots, “in another life, was born in Ireland”.

The little library was designed by Marcelo Homem and Franca McManus, with the project supported by the Laois Volunteer Centre and Livros for Kids, both of whom supplied the books. It now sits outside the offices of Laois Partnership Company as a fitting memorial to a wonderful little boy who touched so many hearts.