Get lost in
a good book
on February 22nd
What is Ireland Reads?
A national celebration of reading.
Throughout February and especially on Ireland Reads Day, February 22nd, we’re calling on people across Ireland to get lost in a good book. It doesn’t matter what you read, where you read or how well you read, as long as you read.
Because taking time to relax and do things you enjoy is important and reading is good for you. It relaxes your body by lowering your heart rate and easing the tension in your muscles. Studies have even shown that reading boosts your mental health by reducing stress by up to 68%.
Ireland Reads is an initiative of the Government of Ireland to celebrate the joy of reading. It is funded by Healthy Ireland and supported by public libraries and many organisations that promote reading, literacy and the arts.
All you have do is sit down for a read, for as long or as short a time as you can, and lose yourself in an adventure, a thriller, a romance, a comedy or all of the above.
So go on, get lost.
Events
Click on your province to find out about just some of the events going on near you.
Check with your local library for full listings and details.
Ulster
10 Books to Change Your Life with Dr. Kenneth Monaghan
Join us at Central Library Letterkenny at 12.30pm on Saturday 22nd February to celebrate Ireland Reads Day for our inspiring event titled “10 Books to Change Your Life with Dr. Kenneth Monaghan”.With the help of Dr. Monaghan, discover a curated selection of ten impactful books that offer fresh perspectives and practical strategies for personal growth. Whether you’re looking to overcome challenges, boost your motivation, or shift your thinking, these books provide valuable insights that can lead to lasting change.
- Where: Central Library, Letterkenny
- When: February 22nd at 12:30pm
- Audience: Everyone
- Library Service: Donegal Libraries
Leinster
Sally’s Dublin with Professor Chris Morash
Sally Rooney’s novels – from Conversations with Friends (2017), through Normal People (2018) to Intermezzo (2024) – have won her readers from around the world, with Time magazine counting her among the 100 most influential people in the world in 2022. While readers often speak of her ability to create vividly realised characters and relationships, what is often not noticed is the extent to which her novels are grounded in specific places. This is true of all of her work, but has become even more pronounced in her latest novel, Intermezzo, which is, apart from anything else, a Dublin novel. In this, the most recent of the UNESCO City of Literature Annual Lectures, Professor Chris Morash, the Seamus Heaney Professor of Irish Writing at TCD, will be mapping Sally Rooney’s Dublin, looking at how the city is perhaps one of her most compelling characters.
- Where: Dublin City Library & Archive, 139-144 Pearse Street, Dublin 2
- When: February 19th 6:30pm
- Audience: Adults
- Library Service: Dublin City Libraries
Cecelia Ahern in conversation with Sarah-Jayne Tobin
To celebrate Ireland Reads Day, join acclaimed novelist Cecelia Ahern as she chats to Sarah-Jayne Tobin about her latest novel Into The Storm, and her prolific body of work. Cecelia Ahern’s novels have been translated into 35 languages and sold more than 25 million copies in over 50 countries. Two of her books have been adapted as films and she has created several TV series. Sarah-Jayne Tobin is a content editor with Evoke.ie & DMG Media and a broadcaster on Virgin Media TV, Newstalk, and FM104/Q102.
- Where: Balbriggan Library
- When: 22nd February at 11am
- Audience: Adults
- Library Service: Fingal Libraries
Silent Book Club
Discover the joy of communal reading at the Silent Book Club! No assigned books, no pressure—just bring your favourite read and enjoy quiet, dedicated reading time with fellow book lovers. Meet new friends, relax, and escape into the pages. It’s the perfect way to connect and unwind!
- Where: Various
- When: 22nd February
- Audience: Adults
- Library Service: Kilkenny County Council Library Service
Celebrate Ireland Reads with Zainab Boladale
Join author and TV Journalist Zainab Boladale for an exciting celebration of her YA debut, Braids Take A Day, published by O’Brien Press. This event will feature an engaging talk, a reading from the book and a Q&A session, plus a fun live braiding demonstration by one of Ireland’s top braiders. This is an event not to be missed! Get your copy of Braids Take a Day at the library and read it ahead of the event!
- Where: Deansgrange Library
- When: 22nd February – 2:30 to 4pm
- Audience: 13 to 15 years of age
- Library Service: dlr Libraries – Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council
We Seldom Talk About the Past with John MacKenna
Author John MacKenna will be reading from his book of short stories. He will be happy to talk about the stories, about choosing the particular stories that went into selected stories and about the influence of the landscape of County Kildare on these stories and of course he will be happy to answer any questions.
- Where: Newbridge Library
- When: Tuesday 18th February at 6.30pm
- Audience: Adults
- Library Service: Kildare Library Service
No booking required – refreshments will be served.
In Conversation with Amanda Cassidy and Andrea Mara
Join bestselling authors Amanda Cassidy and Andrea Mara for an afternoon of conversation about their writing journeys, creative processes, and the inspiration behind their gripping novels. This engaging event offers a unique chance to hear their insights, ask questions, and connect with two of Ireland’s most exciting authors. This is a free event, but booking is essential.
- Where: Portlaoise Library
- When: 22nd of February at 3pm
- Audience: Adults
- Library Service: Laois Libraries
Ballymahon Scribblers Open Mic Session followed by meet the Author Patricia Gibney
As part of Ireland Reads Ballymahon Library presents their creative writing group “Ballymahon Scribblers” who will hold an open mic session reading some of their work to date, from 11am to 12pm. We will break for some refreshments and we will then welcome Author Patricia Gibney who will read an excerpt from one of her best selling novels followed by a Q&A session with the audience.
- Where: Ballymahon Library
- When: 22nd February 11.00 am – 1.30 pm
- Audience: Adults
- Library Service: Longford Library Services
Gerry Daly Author Workshop
In this interactive and fun event join illustrator and author Gerry Daly on an adventure to explore the wildlife of the Atlantic Ocean and the Skellig Islands. There are many creatures to meet from the Puffling picture book series, about a curious and very helpful little puffin chick. Books include the bestselling Where Are You, Puffling?, Puffling And the Egg, and It’s Too Dark Puffling. Gerry will also introduce Finn, a baby humpback whale learning to sing from Finn’s First Song – A Whaley Big Adventure. Children will love this event with puppets, draw along illustrations of characters from the books, and engaging reading sessions.
- Where: Dunleer Library at 11am and Dundalk Library at 2:30pm
- When: 22nd of February
- Audience: Children under 10
- Contact Dunleer Library at 041-6859016 and Dundalk Library at 042-9353190 to book
Donal Ryan interviewed by Nicola Cassidy
An Post Book of the Year award winner, Donal Ryan will be interviewed by fellow author, Nicola Cassidy.
- Where: Trim Library
- When: 22nd February at 3pm
- Audience: Adults
- Library Service: Meath County Council Library Service
An Evening with Donal Ryan
Join us for an evening with award-winning author Donal Ryan as part of our Ireland Reads programme at Offaly Libraries! Donal’s book, ‘Heart, Be at Peace’ was recently awarded An Post Irish Book of the Year 2024. His work has been published in over twenty languages to major critical acclaim.
- Where: Tullamore Library
- When: 25th February 6:30pm
- Audience: Adults
- Library Service: Offaly Library Services
To book your place, please contact Tullamore Library on 057 9346832 or e-mail tullamorelibrary@offalycoco.ie
Ireland Reads at Rathcoole
South Dublin Mobile Libraries are joining the fun at Rathcoole community centre for a special Ireland reads community day. The Mobile library will be there from 12noon to 3pm. Come visit us, join the library and enjoy the celebration.
- Where: Mobile Libraries at Rathcoole Community Centre
- When: 22nd February 12 to 3pm
- Audience: Families
- Library Service: South Dublin Library Services
Family storytime with author and illustrator Terence Casey
Join author and illustrator Terence Casey for a fun filled storytime! Terence and his family keep a range of birds and animals. He teaches art to secondary school students and has written three books about his many feathered and furry friends. His most recent book is called Animal Adventures from beneath the Hill.
- Where: Moate library at 10am and at Athlone library at 12pm
- When: 22nd February
- Audience: Families
- Library Service: Westmeath Library Services
Fun and Fantastical Tales to celebrate ‘Ireland Reads’
Join Helena the Storyteller for a morning of fun and fantastical tales to celebrate ‘Ireland Reads’! With weird and wonderful characters, games and spooky plot-lines, this energetic and interactive show will bring both children and grown-ups to the edge of their seats and up on their feet.
- When: February 22nd at 10:30am and 11:30am
- Audience: Age 5 and up
- Library Service: Carlow County Library
Family Favourite Books with Children’s Author and Book Whisperer, Eve McDonnell
Join nationally renowned, local author, Eve McDonnell as she explores our favourite Irish children’s books and tells the story of how she grew up to write some of them herself! Whether your family is full of bookworms or a few of the book-shy, this chat will serve inspiration and recommendations for children of all ages. This family friendly event is suitable for families with children from 0-18 and children are welcomed to bring a list of books they have enjoyed or things that interest them to share with Eve, she may even know what book they would love to read next!
- Where: Gorey Library
- When: 22nd February at 2:30pm
- Audience: Families
- Library Service: Wexford Library Services
Family puppet show with McCormick Puppet Theatre
Family Puppet Show with McCormick Puppet Theatre. The show includes stories with dragons, princesses, leprechauns and much more!
- Where: Blessington Library
- When: 22nd February at 3pm
- Audience: Families
- Library Service: Wicklow County Council Library Service
Connacht
Meeting Rita Ann
Rita Ann will share her personal experience of books and what reading means to her. She will read from her own work and invite audience members to read from either their own works or pieces they have read which have a personal significance for them.
- Library Service: Galway Public Libraries
- Where: Ballybane Library
- When: February 22nd 3 to 3:45pm
- Audience: Adults
Song-along and Storytime with Lisa Cannon
Join in with Lisa Cannon in Sligo Central Library for songs, stories, and lots of fun.
- Library Service: Sligo Central Libraries
- Where: Sligo Central Library
- When: February 22nd 10am and 11:30am
- Audience: Families
Launch of ‘A Cold Wind from the Lake’ – New and selected poems by Kevin McManus
‘A Cold Wind from the Lake’ is a new poetry collection by Kevin McManus and is published by ShadowScript Publications. Kevin is from Carrigallen, Co Leitrim and is an acclaimed author and poet known for his gripping historical fiction and crime novels. Kevin draws deep inspiration from Ireland’s rich cultural heritage with a talent for weaving intricate plots and creating memorable characters. This launch event is a free open event and all are welcome.
- Library Service: Leitrim Library Service
- Where: Mohill Library
- When: February 22nd 11am
- Audience: Everyone
Read-A-Loud
Everyone is invited to come along and read from their favourite book, sharing the joy of reading with others. All ages welcome!
- Library Service: Mayo County Library
- Where: Ballina Library
- When: February 22nd 10am to 4pm
- Audience: Everyone
Munster
Guess The Title Of The Book
Paddy our Library Book Monster loves books but unfortunately he also loves eating them! He has eaten one of our books here and we need your help to figure out which one! Call in to us this February, take a guess and be in with a chance to win a prize!
- Where: Browns Road Library Lisduggan
- When: All of February 2025
- Audience: Children 5 to 12 years
- Library Service: Waterford Library Service
Teddy Storytime and Create Your Own Bookmark
Teddy Storytime in Ardkeen Library on Saturday 22nd of February at 10:30am. Bring your favourite teddy along to enjoy some special stories. Suitable for all ages and all welcome. No need to book so come along and introduce your teddy to the magic of Storytime.
Create your own Bookmark in Ardkeen Library. Running for the whole week from Monday February to Saturday February 22nd, drop into Ardkeen Library and create a bookmark. There will be colours, bookmarks, and stickers galore for you to design and build a special bookmark. Best of all you can take home your bookmark to use when reading your stories.
- Where: Ardkeen Library
- When: February 22nd at 10:30am
- Audience: Children 5 to 12 years
- Library Service: Waterford Library Service
What we make and what we love
To mark Ireland Reads Day 2025, Limerick City Library are delighted to host members of Limerick’s Writepace writing group who will talk about how their writing group was set up and how they support and nourish one another’s writing. They’ll each do two short readings, one from a book they’ve recently loved, and the other an extract from their own creative work. They’ll finish with questions and answers from the audience and some advice on how to set up and run a writing group. They’ll feature several members of the group including writers Sarah Moore Fitzgerald, Grainne O’Brien, Dan Mooney, Eoin Devereux, Sheila Killian, Noel Harrington, Pippa Slattery, and Laura Keohan. Refreshments will be served.
- Places are limited so booking is essential.
- Where: Limerick City Library
- When: February 22nd at 1pm
- Audience: Adults
Toy Sleepover in the library
Drop your toy to the library on Friday 21 February, tuck them in and read a story. They will be well looked after by the librarians, and will be ready to be collected at our “All About Toys” storytime, on Saturday 22 February.
- Where: Killorglin Libarary
- When: Drop off from 12:00 pm Friday 21 February; “All About Toys” Storytime 11.00am Saturday 22 February.
- Audience: Children
- Library Service: Kerry Libraries
Author visit with Leona Forde
Leona Forde is the author of the Milly McCarthy series. The illustrated books follow the antics of a madcap young Irish girl called Milly who is a magnet for chaos. An Irish female version of the Wimpy Kid.
- Where: Kinsale Library
- When: 22nd February at 11am
- Audience: 7-12 years of age
- Library Service: Cork County Library
Open Reads for Ireland Reads
At 3pm we invite all comers of all ages to descend upon the library to read a piece from their favourite writing. Be it prose, poetry, reportage or rap, you are welcome to celebrate Ireland Reads Day at your library at Mayfield. Please give us forewarning of your piece so that we can schedule it, and remember, there will be a time limit of 5 to 10 minutes
- Where: Frank O’Connor Library
- When: 22nd February at 3pm
- Audience: Everyone
- Library Service: Cork City Libraries
Email the library to find out more or call 021 4924935
Trio of Crime: Cosy, Mystery and Captivating Thrills With Gill Perdue, M.A. Purcell and Kitty Murphy
Join author of our panel of authors for a lively discussion on all aspects of crime fiction.
- Where: Shannon Library
- When: 22nd February from 12 to 1:30pm
- Audience: Adults
- Library Service: Clare Libraries
Our Partners & Ambassadors
Thanks to our incredible partners and ambassadors who are helping to get Ireland reading for Ireland Reads!
Rick O’Shea
RTÉ Broadcaster and Irish Independent books columnist
Before 2014 I used to read maybe fifteen or twenty books a year, my priorities and my concentration were elsewhere. Then, that year, I decided I would try to read 100 books. I knew I was capable of that, right? By the last few days of December I finished the last one and every year since then I've read 70 or 80 a year, so many of which wouldn't have made my life a better place if I hadn't erased the social media apps from my phone permanently and concentrated on something that made me so much happier every year.
Best of luck this year, I hope it's the start of something long term.
Rita Ann Higgins
Poet and Playwright
"A word after a word after a word is power." – Margaret Atwood
Reading brings about a freedom with no comparisons. I was twenty-two before I read a book from cover to cover. Being a slow reader, I struggled with the words on the page. After a while, words became familiar. Words became a comfort to me. Words were creating pictures. I could see Catherine and Heathcliff on the Moors.
Reading opened the door to a land of sounds and syllables. Getting into other people’s lives through books was mind blowing. I found myself thinking about characters while I was away from the book. I feel privileged to be able to read, I feel it’s a right as well - a human right. Never be afraid of words. They are as tough as old boots. Words are yours for the reading.
Paul Lynch
Author
We live in a time when reading has become more difficult than ever. That smartphone in your pocket pokes its way into thought and will not leave you be. Our attention spans have been shattered by life in a modern world and sometimes it seems we do not know ourselves anymore. What are we to do?
We can win back our attention by reading more books. Find a nice chair and turn your phone off. Even better if you can put it in a cupboard or a safe. Can you read for 20 minutes without needing to turn it back on again? Good. Now try for half an hour and repeat. Push through the urge to distraction and remember that what you practice grows stronger. Remember, too, that the smartphone is not so smart after all. You might ask, what is it really doing for you?
Social media is designed to reflect a version of yourself back to you. When we read, the inner lives of others become known. We see into other worlds, other times, and think and feel in a way that only great writing makes possible. The best writers take you to soaring heights (and depths) from which you can see the world anew. Consider, too, that whisper in the ear from another writer as an invitation to be still in yourself, to sit with that deeper part of the self from which the best ideas come free and inner wisdom becomes known. In the tumult of modern life, we need again to be still and listen. Let reading be your compass.
Paul Lynch is the Booker Prize-winning author of Prophet Song
Manchán Magan
Author and Documentary Maker
Reading means the world to me. Literally. It has opened my mind to new experiences, new vistas, new conceptions, new ways of being in this world and connecting with the Otherworld.
It has been the greatest teacher in my life, apart from my own inner voice. And one of my greatest sources of entertainment. And libraries have been the great enabler of my access to reading. They are temples of mind-expansion, or mind-relaxation and mind-distraction. I feel so indebted to libraries and to the books they house.
Dave Rudden
Author
It is my great pleasure to be an ambassador for the Ireland Reads campaign.
As a former teacher turned author, I have first-hand experience of the connective power of reading at any age. The magic of being transported to other worlds and other times is one thing, but what I find far more important is that very particular teleportation of stepping into other people’s heads.
Any reading is good reading, because reading reminds you that we all have our own plotlines – our own battles, our own triumphs, our own losses. I think there’s no lesson more important than that.
Sarah Webb
Author
Above everything, I’m a reader.
Books and reading mean so much to me. I could live without a lot of things, but not without books. They inform me, entertain me, help me step into other people's shoes, make me wonder. They are there when I'm well, when I'm sick, when I'm rested, when I'm tired.
They are my dear friends, my loyal companions. From old friends like Judy Blume’s Summer Sisters (a wonderfully immersive summer holiday book) or Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert (one of the best books about creativity out there), to shiny new children’s novels, I love them all!
Patricia Forde
Laureate na nÓg
Books have been my constant companion since my mother taught me to read at the the age of four. My childhood was consumed with stories and library books. I have travelled into space and under the sea. I’ve committed terrible crimes and solved convoluted mysteries, all while sitting comfortably in my own house. Most of all, as a teacher, a parent and as a writer I have seen the difference that reading for pleasure brings to the life of a child. I am delighted to support the Ireland Reads campaign.
Oliver Callan
Comedy writer and presenter
My earliest memories of being alive are all about books. I always got a book for my birthday, two days after Christmas. The first I can recall reading is The Enchanted Wood, by Enid Blyton. Three kids jump over a ditch and climb a tree from which they can visit other magical worlds at the top.
The first story that sweeps you off the ground and out of reality is always the best. I can still remember the very feeling of sitting in my parents’ bed late at night because I wasn’t allowed to keep the light on in the room I shared with the siblings. I went off into mad lands with the Saucepan man, and I haven’t come home since.
Marian Keyes
Author
I was an anxious, lonely child, but when I read my first Enid Blyton book (‘The Twins at St Claire’s’) my mind was blown. Suddenly, I had a gateway to another world – to infinite worlds. I was able to escape the discomfort of being me by immersing myself in the lives of others.
Since then, reading has been my saviour. No matter what was going on for me, books comforted me, befriended me, made me laugh, made me think, gave me a breathing space and cocooned me from the world.
The ability to read is my superpower.
Melatu-Uche Okorie
Author
I love reading because it gives me heroes. I also get to go to different places in my mind's eye, fall in love, be sad, get angry, laugh at other people's idiosyncrasies, all in a matter of minutes.
Resources For You
Want to spread the joy of reading and encourage others to get lost in a good book? Here are some beautiful posters, colouring-in sheets, videos and other resources to help you promote Ireland Reads or your local events.
Get Resources