All about Ireland Reads
Published on 1st February 2024
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 24th.
Irish libraries have teamed up with publishers, booksellers, authors and others for the campaign which aims to celebrate reading and all the benefits it can have for wellbeing and enjoyment. The campaign is asking everyone to, Get lost in a good book, during February and especially on February 24th, Ireland Reads day. 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
The Ireland Reads website offers book recommendations, suited to a person’s interests and the time they have available. There are more than 1,500 recommendations for all ages from librarians all around the country.
Simply enter your favourite genre of book and the website will offer up a suggestion AND work out how long it will take to complete – so you can set yourself a reading challenge!
The website allows you to share a book recommendation with friends and family or on social media.
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 24th. 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.
As well as all public libraries, partners in the campaign include RTÉ Supporting the Arts, Bookselling Ireland, Publishing Ireland, Childrens Books Ireland, the National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA), the Arts Council, and the National Library of Ireland.
A number of campaign ambassadors are on board to help promote the campaign, including:
- Paul Lynch, author and Booker Prize winner
- Marian Keyes, author
- Patricia Forde, Laureate na nÓg
- Liz Nugent, author
- Melatu-Uche Okorie, author and academic
- Rick O’Shea, RTE broadcaster
- Dave Rudden, author
- Colm Tóibín, author and Laureate for Irish Fiction
- Sarah Webb, author
How can people access books?
Library members can borrow from 13 million items or choose from and download from thousands of eBooks, audiobooks, newspapers, and magazines online.
We’re also encouraging people to support their local bookshops. You’ll find a link to a map of bookshops on IrelandReads.ie
Can schools get involved?
We would love schools and teachers to get involved. You can download a resources pack to help promote Ireland Reads in your school at irelandreads.ie