All about Ireland Reads
Published on 5th February 2025
Ireland Reads is a campaign to get the whole country reading during February in the lead up to a national day of reading on Saturday, February 22.
If you want to read a magazine, a newspaper or a comic, that’s great too!
Why is reading important?
Research shows that reading for pleasure is really important for all of us – no matter our age. For children, of course, it has a huge positive impact on their cognitive development and literacy. For adults, studies have found that reading for pleasure enhances empathy, understanding of the self, and is effective in combatting loneliness. Reading offers a way to escape and keep mentally active, and to lift our mood, and it doesn’t have to be a solitary experience – you can read with your kids of course, or you might use reading to connect with friends and family. Maybe through a book club, or just swapping recommendations.
Discover book titles for Adults
How can people join in the campaign?
It doesn’t matter how long you read for or what you read, it doesn’t matter whether you’re an avid reader, a reluctant reader, a lapsed reader or a new reader, this campaign is for you.
Get a book recommendation at irelandreads.ie
Attend an event
Libraries all over the country will be running Ireland Reads initiatives and events throughout February in the build up to Saturday, February 22. Visit your local library on Ireland Reads Day to take part in an event or just to see what’s on offer there – we think you might be surprised by what's on offer.
Share on social media
Tag us on social media with the hashtags - #GetLost and #IrelandReads. Share what you will be reading or where you will be reading.
Who is involved in the campaign?
The Ireland Reads campaign is run by public libraries and part of the Healthy Ireland programme.
There's a fabulous competition for secondary schools! For more information please click on the link below.
Campaign partners
Ireland Reads campaign partners are the Adult Literacy for Life (All), Age Friendly Ireland, Arts Council of Ireland, Children’s Books Ireland, the Laureate for Irish Fiction, the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA), National Library of Ireland, RTE Supporting the Arts.
2025 Ambassadors
Our 2025 Ireland Reads ambassadors are:
- Oliver Callan
- Patricia Forde, Laureate na nÓg
- Rita Ann Higgins
- Marian Keyes
- Paul Lynch
- Manchán Magan
- Melatu-Uche Okorie
- Rick O'Shea
- Dave Rudden
- Sarah Webb