Wednesday, 21 February 2024
Ireland Reads celebration of reading back for 2024: Libraries throughout Donegal are taking part in Ireland Reads a campaign to get the whole country reading this month in the lead up to a national day of reading on Saturday, February 24th.
Irish libraries have teamed up with publishers, booksellers, authors, and others for the campaign, which is part of the government’s Healthy Ireland programme and aims to celebrate reading and all the benefits it can have for wellbeing and enjoyment.
The campaign is asking everyone to ‘Get Lost in a Good Book’ during February and especially on Ireland Reads Day, Saturday, February 24th.
Join an Ireland Reads event
Events for all ages to celebrate reading, books and literature are planned throughout Donegal.
Donegal Literature and Landscape Symposium
Buncrana Community Library will host a very special event called Donegal Literature and Landscape on Ireland Reads Day, Saturday 24th February at 3.00pm. Inspired by the Booker Prize win of Donegal author Paul Lynch, a host of the county’s most talented poets, novelists, artists, musicians, and historians will come together to discuss the way the unique and rugged landscape of Donegal has influenced their own work.
The Donegal Literature and Landscape symposium is free and open to everyone, but booking is essential. To book a place please contact Buncrana Library on 074 9361941.
An Tiarna George Hill agus Pobal Ghaoth Dobhair
The author Cathal Póirtéir will be interviewed by Dónall Ó Cnáimhsí in Leabharlann Phobail Ghaoth Dobhair at 6:30 pm on Wednesday 21st February about his fascinating new book An Tiarna George Hill agus Pobal Ghaoth Dobhair.
War Peace and the Derry Journal. In Conversation With Pat McArt
You are invited to Carndonagh Community Library on Saturday 24th February at 10:30 a.m. for a conversation with Pat McArt and his fascinating recollections from 25 years as editor of The Derry Journal.
Family Literacy Talk with Adele McElhinney.
Visit Bundoran Community Library at 10:30 am on Friday 23rd February for a talk on the importance of reading at home and family literacy with Adele McElhinney, Regional Literacy Coordinator Donegal ETB.
Reading Ambassadors
Keep an eye on Donegal County Library social media for posters featuring well-known Donegal writers.
Read DL
Donegal’s own countywide celebration of books and reading – Read DL – will be launched on 22nd February. Keep an eye on Read DL on social media for a host of events around the county.
Family Literacy Events
Visit Twin Towns Community Library where Children can pick up an Ireland Reads worksheet to design their own Book Cover that they can create at home from Monday 19th February.
Visit Bundoran Community Library to Get Lost in a book and take part in a fun family arts and crafts session on Saturday 24th February
Visit Central Library Letterkenny where children can collect their ‘Create your own Story’ worksheets to create their own little story on Saturday 24th February.
IrelandReads.ie
The Ireland Reads website also offers book recommendations suited to a person’s interests and the time they have available. There are more than 1,500 recommendations from librarians all around the country for all interests and reading levels.
You can also recommend a book to a friend through the website.
Donegal County Library hope we can get the whole county reading this month, especially those who might not be avid readers right now. If you don’t read or you haven’t read in a while, this is the perfect time to give it a try.
A number of well-known campaign ambassadors are on board to help promote the campaign, including Booker Prize winner, Paul Lynch, Marian Keyes, Colm Tóibín, Rick O’Shea, Liz Nugent and more. You can find out what reading means to them and why they support the campaign at www.irelandreads.ie.
For more information including booking information and event times visit www.donegallibrary.ie or follow @DonegalCountyLibrary on Facebook and @DonegalLibrary on Twitter and Instagram.
