Nationwide celebrations as Ireland Reads Day returns

Head of Libraries Development for the Local Government Management Agency, Stuart Hamilton said: “Ireland Reads Day 2026 presents a really exciting programme of nationwide library events, from lively story-times and creative workshops to inspiring author talks, readings, and community and family‑themed celebrations. These events reflect the heart of what libraries do best: bringing people together, sparking curiosity, and making reading accessible and enjoyable for everyone. I’d encourage people of all ages to visit their local library this Saturday to be part of the celebrations, and take a moment to Get Lost in A Good Book for Ireland Reads Day 2026.”  

People are encouraged to check what their local library has to offer via social media and website channels and visit their local library on the Day. Events across Ireland are listed on www.irelandreads.ie.

Some of the many events taking place in counties across the country include: 

Carlow 

Interactive Storytime with Wibbly Wobbly Wendy, Carlow Library, Tullow Street, Carlow, 11am to 12pm

Target Audience: Children Age 0-6 & their families.

Cavan 

Launch of Cavan Library Service Book Club Sets, Johnston Central Library, Target Audience: Adult Readers

Cavan plans to launch its book club sets, with members of their existing book clubs. The aim is to provide sets to support both library and non-library based book clubs. 

Clare 

Author Dara Waldron will read from and discuss his book ‘A Sheep Dog Named Oscar: Love and Companionship in Rural Ireland’, Edna O’Brien Library, Scariff, 12pm. Target Audience: Adults.

Cork 

Blarney Library: Open Taster Kids Book Club Session, 2.15pm, Target Audience: Children aged 7 – 10; The City Library, Grand Parade, 11am: Author Reading Event – Nadine Hughes Campbell; City Library: Fantasy writer and game designer Gareth Hanrahan in conversation, 3.30pm, Mayfield Library: Readings by members of the public at 3pm; some will read from their own work, others from a favourite; City Library: Mystery Mingle – participants are each given a mystery book, they unwrap them together, read the first chapter, then turn to the person beside them and say whether they liked the book or not, 1.30pm; Carrigaline Library: Billy O’Callaghan, author visit, 12noon.

Donegal

Ireland Reads - A Family Celebration! Families are invited to visit all five branches (Central Library Letterkenny, Carndonagh Community Library, Buncrana Community Library, Bundoran Community Library, Leabharlann Phobail na Rosann), to celebrate the joy of reading. Arts and Creativity workshops with authors, illustrators and artists will take place; Central Library Letterkenny: Family friendly literacy workshops with award-winning illustrator Kim Sharkey, 11am-12noon and 1pm-2pm, Target Audience: Families.

Dublin

Dun Laoghaire Rathdown’s Lexicon is hosting 'Discover Irish Kids Books Tea Party', from 1-3pm. Family friendly event and all are welcome: Balbriggan Library: Leon Diop: Mixed Up, 3pm-4pm. Leon Diop founded Black and Irish, an organisation working on behalf of black and mixed-race people in Ireland in 2020. Target Audience: Adults & Teens. Book at balbrigganlibrary@fingal.ie or phone: 01 870 4401; Tallaght Library: Launch of D24 Reads. Can you read 24 books in 12 months? Launch of the D24 Reads Adult Reads Challenge for 2026 at 12noon; Skerries Library: Wanda Broom and Magical Mayhem with Ciara Geraghty, 2pm-3pm. Target Audience: Children aged 8+. Booking:skerrieslibrary.library@fingal.ie or phone: 01 890 5671; Blanchardstown Library: Fairytales and Fiction Workshop with Deirdre Sullivan, 2pm-3pm. Target Audience: Teens aged 13-16; Booking: blanchlibrary@fingal.ie or phone: 01 890 5560; Rush Library: Rewind: An Anthology: 2:30pm-4pm. Indie authors Ireland was founded by Claire O'Connor in 2023 and is now a collective of over 200 independent writers sharing their writing, editing and publishing experiences. Claire, along with two of the contributors, will discuss the organisation, the book and indie writing in Ireland. Target Audience: Adults. Booking: rushlibrary@fingal.ie or phone: 01 870 8414

Galway 

Readings by Rita Ann Higgins accompanied by the Ballybane Library Creative Writing Group at Ballybane Library, 3-4pm, Target audience: Adults.

Kerry 

Shipwreck: 12 Famous Shipwrecks from Around the World with author Deirdre Laide, Killarney Library, 11am; Deirdre also hosts the same event at Killorglin Library at 2.30pm. Target Audience: Children 7-11.

Kildare 

Tanya Sweeney in conversation with Emer McLysaght about her debut novel, 'Esther Is Now Following You'!” at Kildare Reads Podcast, Target Audience: Adults

Kilkenny

Children’s illustration workshop from 2-3pm, facilitated by Linda Fahrlin at the Mayfair Library, Parliament Street, Kilkenny, target audience is children aged 8-12.

Laois 

Laois Libraries are calling for people to not only read this Ireland Reads Day but to come to their local library to borrow a book! In appreciation of those who do, we will hold a draw for a hotel voucher at Laois Libraries.

Leitrim 

Brian Leyden - Books that Brighten our Lives at Manorhamilton Library at 11am; Target Audience: Adults

Limerick

Children’s Story Time in Watch House Cross Community Library at 10.30am. Suitable for younger children - all are welcome.

*Create your Own Bookmark from 11am-4.00pm at the same venue. A fresh set of craft materials will be provided. Suitable for children of all ages. This is a self-guided activity so grown-up assistance may be required

Longford 

Launch of the Granard Booktown festival; John Connell and Ronan O’Toole will speak about the programme and the joy of reading at Granard Library from 11am. All welcome.

Louth 

An audience with award winning author Nicola Pierce at Drogheda Library, 3pm. Contact Drogheda Library to register: 041-9876162. Target Audience: Adults.

Mayo 

Launch of a Design-A-Bookmark competition to celebrate 100 Years of Mayo Library, providing colouring/design stations and blank bookmarks in all 14 Mayo branches; entries encouraged from all ages. Competition will run until the end of April

Meath 

STEAM Story Sessions  in all Meath Libraries; Target Audience: 3-6 years. Each of the stories is paired with a fun, hands-on STEM activity that brings the story to life. Book your place at any of the 14 branch libraries at: www.meath.ie/council/events/ireland-reads-steam-storytime-sessions

Monaghan

Teddy bear Sleep Over; branches across County Monaghan, Friday Feb 27-Saturday, February 28.

Offaly 

Silent Book Club, The Space @ Tullamore Library, 2-4pm, Target Audience: Adults. Discover the joy of communal reading - no assigned books, no pressure, just bring your chosen read and enjoy quiet, dedicated reading time with fellow book lovers, meet new friends, relax, and escape into the pages. 

Roscommon

A Game Design Workshop for teens and adults at Castlerea Library. Everyone will leave with the foundation for creating their own board games; Ballaghaderreen Library – a presentation by The Barn Owl Project where they will bring a beautiful barn owl to the library with themed book displays to compliment it.

Waterford

Thirty-minute magic show and have a balloon animal made for you afterwards. Children must be accompanied by a Parent or Guardian. Venue: Ardkeen Library, 10:30am, suitable for children aged 3-8; Central Library, Lady Lane - Writers at Waterford Libraries author event with award-winning Irish novelist and journalist Edel Coffey at 3pm. Target Audience: Adults 

Westmeath

Celebrating Ireland Reads with Illustrator Shannon Bergin (Illustrator Workshop) at Kilbeggan Library, 11am; Target Audience: children aged 4-10.

Wexford

How they made your favourite book cover stand out: an illustrated talk with Emma Byrne, who will discuss what is involved in bringing a book to our shelves, the artists and questions involved, with examples of well-known covers, taking place at Gorey Library at 4pm. Suitable for adults.