Bookworms to descend on ‘town of books’ for literary festival

BOOKWORMS from all over Ireland are set to descend on a “town of books” next month when it hosts its ninth annual festival devoted to the written word.

A book and treasure trail through the town of Graiguenamanagh in Co Kilkenny will be among the highlights of this year’s Town of Books Festival taking place from September 16 to 18.

Booksellers from around this country, and also Britain, will be offering thousands of special, bargain, rare and specialist books during the festival, which has established itself as one of the premier events of its type in Ireland. Organisers say it’s not all about books with music, talks, walks, demonstrations, craft and food, while full advantage will be taken of the towns idyllic location on the River Barrow.

One of the talking points of the festival will be a secondary schools debate on the theme, The paper book is dead, Kindle is King, while other events include a talk on his kayaking adventures by journalist and author Gary Quinn; a demonstration by well-known local chef and author of best-selling cook book, Food To Love, Edward Hayden; and a talk by Shirley Lanigan, author of 100 Best Gardens in Ireland.

Specialist book dealers visiting the town this year include Maurice Regan of Paulstown Books with lots of volumes on Irish interest and history. One of his most expensive and unusual books is Switzerland and Bavarian Mountains, published in the 19th century and valued at €225.

Wellread Books from Waterford are coming back this year with antiquarian books of all types. Local ones include Book of the Galtees and the Golden Vale, and a collection of Sinn Féin and war of Independence pamphlets.

Chairman of the festival, John O’Shea, said Graiguenamangh will be turned into the books capital of Ireland over the weekend.

“There will be a fantastic atmosphere in Graiguenamanagh during the festival when the streets of our town are full with people, young and old, strolling with books in hand, nipping in and out of the bookstores.”

“There is huge potential to develop Graiguenamanagh as a permanent mecca for book lovers everywhere,” he said.