Ireland Reads is back this February and we’re all looking forward to joining in by getting lost in a good book or two this month. Ireland Reads is a campaign to get the whole country reading this month in the lead up to a national day of reading on Saturday the 24th.
Kildare Libraries have teamed up with libraries nationwide, publishers, booksellers, authors, and others for the campaign, which aims to celebrate reading all of the benefits it can have for wellbeing and enjoyment.
So, how can you get involved? It’s simple – Get lost in a good book!
Not sure what to read? No problem!
So, you’re on board for a good read, but you don’t know where to start? Good news, we’ve got you covered! If you head over to the Ireland Reads website, you’ll find a handy book recommendation tool. It’ll ask you how long you’d like to read for during the day and what kind of books you enjoy, then it’ll recommend a title for you – Simple! There are more than 1,500 recommendations from librarians all around the country, including Kildare librarians, so there’s bound to be something for you.
You are of course also welcome to pop into your local library and ask the staff there for recommendations too, or you can browse through some of our book reviews right here on our blog.
Do we have to read a library book?
Nope – you can read any book at all! If you have books sitting at home that you just haven’t found time to read yet, now’s your chance. If you want to visit your local bookshop and do some shopping, go for it. If you want to read an eBook or listen to an eAudiobook, fantastic (and in case you didn’t already know, we have the perfect app for you! BorrowBox has loads of great eBooks and eAudiobooks, all free with your library card!)
On Ireland Reads day, it doesn’t matter what you read, where you read, or for how long – all that matters is that you read!
Ireland Reads Events
Libraries all over the country will be running Ireland Reads initiatives and events throughout February in the build up to Saturday, February 24th.
Take a look at the events that we have planned for Kildare Libraries:
Booker Prize Winner Paul Lynch in conversation with Eithne Shortall
Join us for Ireland Reads on Thursday, 22nd February at 7pm in Naas Library and Cultural Centre as we welcome Paul Lynch, winner of the 2023 Booker Prize for Prophet Song, for a conversation with journalist and bestselling author, Eithne Shortall.
Paul Lynch is the prize-winning author of five novels: Prophet Song, Beyond the Sea, Grace, The Black Snow, and Red Sky in Morning. He was awarded The Booker Prize 2023 for his esteemed novel Prophet Song. He has won the Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year and the French booksellers’ prize Prix Libr’à Nous for best foreign novel. He has also been shortlisted for UK’s Walter Scott Prize, the US’s William Saroyan International Prize, and France’s Prix Jean Monnet for European Literature and the Prix du Meilleur Livre Étranger, among other prizes. Libération has called Lynch “one of today’s greatest Irish writers”. He lives in Dublin with his wife and two children.
Eithne Shortall is the author of five bestselling novels. Her work has been translated into 11 languages and nominated for numerous awards. She has won best page-turner at the UK’s Big Book Awards and been selected for BBC Radio 2’s prestigious book club. Her latest novel, The Lodgers, was nominated at the Irish Book Awards last year. She is a former arts writer with the Sunday Times Ireland and now writes a weekly column for the Business Post newspaper.
This event is in partnership with the Irish Writers Centre. All welcome. No booking required.
Where: Naas Library & Cultural Centre
When: Thursday 22nd February, 7pm
Booking: No booking required. All welcome.
Storytelling and Monster Doodle workshop with Author Tatyana Feeney (for ages 4-8)
Join Tatyana Feeney who will be reading from her new book, Mr. Wolf Goes to the Ball. This will be followed by a monster doodle allowing all to create fabulous monsters in celebration of Ireland Reads in Maynooth Community Library. All children attending this workshop accompanied by a parent /guardian.
Where: Maynooth Library
When: Saturday 24th February, 12pm
Booking: Booking required, click here to book through TicketTailor.
Write Your First Detective Story with author Fiona Sherlock (for ages 9+)
Calling all young sleuths! Join us for an exciting 60-minute workshop where primary school children will embark on a thrilling adventure into the world of crime fiction. Get ready to unlock your creativity and craft your very own detective story!
Where: Celbridge Library
When: Saturday 24th February, 11am
Booking: Booking required, click here to book through TicketTailor.
Ireland Reads Saturday Morning Storytime (ages 2-5)
Join us for a delightful Saturday morning storytime in honour of Ireland Reads! It’s an excellent opportunity to kick-start your weekend with children aged 2 to 5, and we welcome older siblings of all ages to participate. No prior booking is necessary, so come along!
Where: Celbridge Library
When: Saturday 24th February, 10am
Booking: No booking required
Designing Your Own Characters with Margaret Suggs (ages 7-10)
Characters can be so much fun to design! In this hands-on creative workshop, we’ll look at a few familiar characters and find out what makes them work. Then based on Mags’ new book, The Moth and The Moon, we’ll design our own moons (which are a good warm-up) and then moths (which are a bit more complicated).
Margaret Anne Suggs is a Director for Illustrators Ireland and Administrator of the Silent Book Collection for IBBY Ireland. She served as the Chairperson for the International Jury at the 2023 Bratislava Illustration Biennial. Mags has two picture books releasing this spring – The Dandelion’s Tale (Graffeg) and The Moth and The Moon (Beehive). She can usually be found scribbling in a sketchbook.
Where: Newbridge Library
When: Saturday 24th February, 11am
Booking: Booking required, click here to book through TicketTailor.
Helena Duggan Writing & Illustration Workshop (ages 8-12)
To celebrate Ireland Reads, get your pencils and paper ready as Helena Duggan takes you to the land of Whizdom. In this workshop, you will discover a mysterious land, meet a peculiar guide and be given a magical key before you are whisked off to the place of your dreams without ever leaving your seat!
Where: Leixlip Library
When: Saturday 24th February, 2pm
Booking: Booking required, click here to book through TicketTailor.
Storytelling and Illustration with Gerry Daly (ages 6+)
Gerry Daly is a children’s author and illustrator living by the beautiful sea in Dublin. He hasn’t seen any whales from his window, but saw many off the coast of West Cork. Join Gerry in Athy Library for an Ireland Reads storytelling and illustration adventure from his newest book with Erika McGann It’s Too Dark Puffling.
Where: Athy Library
When: Saturday 24th February, 11.30am
Booking: Book required, contact Athy Library on (045)980555 or email athylib@kildarecoco.ie.
One last thing!
Don’t forget to pick up an Ireland Reads bookmark in your local library, featuring colourful illustrations by Tara O’Brien. You can see more of her beautiful artwork on the Ireland Reads website or by checking out her website here.
Go to www.irelandreads.ie for full information and to get a recommended read or share a recommendation with friends and family!
Kildare Library Service 
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