Bookville is a festival for families and children aged 0-12 years of all abilities.

Managed by Kilkenny Library Service and Arts Office, this collaboration of key stakeholders enables the ongoing development of the project to include increased participation in culture and creativity within the school system, promoting participation among young people of varying ages and abilities, and from different social and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Approximately 18,500 people, both young and old, participated in the 2023 event.

"It was such a wonderful experience for all teachers and children and has inspired more reading, writing, and interest in literature. Thank you!"

13,000 Bookville activity books were distributed to every primary school child in County Kilkenny and all eight library branches.

50 workshops were facilitated for primary school groups and the general public, attended by more than 1,000 participants.

A multi-disciplinary festival, Bookville routinely features some of best contemporary children’s authors and illustrators from Ireland and the UK.

Events include reading, writing, storytelling, comedy, illustration, drama, music, visual arts, and activities incorporating Irish, Ukrainian, Polish and Irish Sign Language.

In 2023, increased accessibility was achieved through online videos and virtual workshops.

Testimonials

Online activities

“Please offer (Bookville activities) online again next year… it was such a wonderful experience for all teachers and children and has inspired more reading, writing, and interest in literature. Thank you!”

Library workshop

“We had three workshops with a relatively new children’s author, Celina Buckley. Also a teacher and a talented artist, I thought Celina facilitated excellent sessions. She was well organised and was able to cater for all age groups. I think our Bookville festival is a great opportunity for new authors such as Celina to gain experience in working with schools and groups, and promoting their books. As a public library, it is really important that we can support new authors in this way.”

Exhibition

“Loved your exhibition! Had an idea that you could put all the processes in a sandwich-shaped book, or even a fold-out book where you can see the broader context within the object. Anyway, keep going – loved it.”