This exciting project will see members of the Longford Writers Group to produce a Christmas anthology of stories and poems for children. A book launch will take place in Longford or Edgeworthstown Library in December. Local writers and a number of illustrators from Longford and surrounding counties will take part. There will be a competition for children from Co. Longford national schools to provide illustrations for the book. The book is aimed at children aged 5–12.

The anthology will document people’s cultural memories and traditional ideas of Christmas in a creative way. Although Christmas was, and remains, a religious event, it has many cultural connotations in Ireland. There are now many faiths in Ireland, but many of these recognise Christmas as an Irish cultural event and celebrate certain aspects of it.

The project will educate individuals and communities about Christmas traditions, as well as highlighting the importance of storytelling and poetry in Ireland’s cultural legacy. It will support creativity among local writers and illustrators, and among children in Co. Longford national schools. The book will contribute to the well-being of both young and adult readers, including parents, guardians and teachers, and will engage communities in preserving and celebrating their cultural heritage. Holding the launch in December will further reinforce the significance of Christmas as a shared cultural tradition.

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.