Man returns his late grandfather's overdue library books... 116 YEARS after they were borrowed

By SHANNON MCGUIGAN, NEWS REPORTER Published: 19:17, 29 July 2026 | Updated: 19:28, 29 July 2026 A man has returned his late grandfather's overdue library books 116 years after they were borrowed. Avid reader Walter Griffith Owen checked out Paradise and King Lear over a century ago, in 1910, and failed to return them one week later. The books were kept safely at home in his family's care while he served in both World Wars. Now, over one hundred years later, his grandson Peter O'Sullivan has returned both titles to Llanrwst Library in north Wales. The two books, by John Milton and William Shakespeare, feature a slip of paper which reads: 'This book is lent for one week. 'Should it be required for a second week, application should be made to the caretaker. Fee, one penny per week.' Had Mr Owen still been alive, he would be facing a fine of 6,032 pennies - or the princely sum of just over £25. However, Mr O'Sullivan has not been charged an overdue fee by library bosses for the books lent by his grandfather as a teenager. The items date back to 1884 and were originally donated to the Llanrwst Public Library and Reading Room by British industrialist Benjamin Armitage in the 1890s. Peter O'Sullivan has returned  his grandfather's overdue library books, which he borrowed in 1910 Avid reader Walter Griffin Owen checked out Paradise and King Lear over a century ago and failed to return them one week later Mr O'Sullivan (pictured returning the books) has not been charged an overdue fee by library bosses for the books borrowed by his grandfather as a teenager. Medi Ashton, Llanrwst Library Manager, said: 'Mr O'Sullivan was so kind to think to return the books when he found them. 'They are in excellent condition, and we hope to display them as part of our Cultural Heritage exhibition in the near future. 'As a result, Conwy Archive Service researched the locations of reading rooms and libraries in Llanrwst over the years - we were delighted to find out there have been 10. ' This will enrich the sessions we run at the library for local schools on the history and heritage of Llanrwst.' A spokesperson for Conwy Libraries added: 'We were thrilled to welcome Mr O'Sullivan to Llanrwst library in June this year; he brought with him books to return to our libraries from his grandfather, Walter Griffith Owen - loaned way back in 1910. 'Our staff were so excited to handle the books and to meet Mr O'Sullivan for a photograph, and to be involved in their family story. 'Mr Owen volunteered in the First World War and later at Mulberry Harbour here in Conwy during the Second World War. 'Conwy Archives have researched the locations of libraries in Llanrwst and have found 10 different locations around the town from 1876 onwards. 'Peek at the date stamps in the book from 1894.'