Ireland Reads

Posted on 12/02/2025 by fionaconlonmckenna

Stuart Hamiliton of Ireland Reads LGMA.

Irelands Read’s is a brilliant initiative by the Government and Healthy Ireland supported by our public libraries to encourage us all to read during the month of February.

The Irish Library Borrowing figures for 2024 have just come out and I am so delighted to be top of the list of Irish authors on it.

The ever popular comic series of ‘Dog Man’, and ‘Bunny and Monkey’ take the top slots but it is great to see that ‘Under the Hawthorn Tree’ is still the most borrowed book by an Irish author. It is no surprise to see that Children’s books dominate the list as we have the best young readers and bookworms in the world. The top 37 titles are children’s and young peoples. The list is compiled by 330 Irish libraries and 23 mobile libraries, which have more than 13 million books to borrow. They also have eBooks and audio books to borrow with ‘Under the Hawthorn Tree’ topping the overall eBook list

There will be a big call out on Saturday 22^nd of February for everyone, whatever your age or interests to Get Lost in a Good Book. It doesn’t matter where you read, or what you read as long as you read.

Reading is good or us and relaxes us and reduces stress by believe it or not 698%.

So let’s get reading!

A VISIT TO BALLYMUN BOOK CLUB

Posted on 07/12/2024 by fionaconlonmckenna

Marita with The Balymun Book Club

Everyone knows by now that libraries are one of my favourite places so it was a real treat to be invited along to the lovely library in Ballymun to meet and talk to their Book Club.

They are a great bunch of young readers and the junior Book Club is run by librarian Caitriona O’Doherty. They had all just finished reading my book The Blue Horse so we had plenty to talk about. I was thrilled to hear they had also enjoyed reading Fairy Hill last year. They meet every month and read everything from newly published children’s books to old favourites and the classics, perfect for these brilliant bright bookworms. Over Christmas and New Year they will be reading The Wind in the Willows.

Ballymun library is a very special place and right at the heart of the community, with Writers Groups, art groups, and book clubs including a Murder one, study space and all kinds of events to encourage people to use the library. My friend librarian Sarah Conroy showed me around and Peter O Reilly, the senior librarian, is justifiably proud of their mission to get everyone reading, and using the library.

Peter O’Reilly, Caitriona O Doherty, Marita and Sarah Conroy in Ballymun Library

Ballymena Bound to Visit Slemish College

Posted on 28/10/2024 by fionaconlonmckenna

Marita with Librarian Paula Agnew and English Teachers from Slemish College

October is always a busy month for Children’s Writers and I found myself Ballymena bound to visit Slemish College Secondary School. Hearing all about its marvellous library which has become the heart of the school I really felt I had to come and visit it.

Librarian Paula Agnew has made the library a very special place for all the students, who told me how much they use it and go there even during lunch breaks. I’m not surprised as its array and display of books would put many a bookshop to shame.

I met all the lovely teachers from the English Department and talked to groups of students, many of them brilliant readers with some really keen to write and create their own books.

The fact we were in the large library made it extra special as libraries are one of my favourite places.

Traveling back to Dublin on the train I was a tired but happy writer and was absolutely thrilled with the beautiful gift of a hawthorn print that the school presented me with.