BOOKVILLE SCHOOLS PROGRAMME
October 10th to 16th 2024
October 10th to 16th 2024
The Bookville Programme of events for schools and booking details will be available here on
2nd September. Follow us on social media so you don't miss out!
Meanwhile, here is a flavour of our 2023 Bookville programme...
2nd September. Follow us on social media so you don't miss out!
Meanwhile, here is a flavour of our 2023 Bookville programme...
VIRTUAL WORKSHOPS via ZOOM
VIRTUAL WORKSHOP via ZOOM
Creative writing with JUDI CURTIN
Creative writing with JUDI CURTIN
Judi Curtin
Judi Curtin is one of Ireland’s favourite children’s writers. She is the best-selling author of the Alice and Megan and Eva series, Time After Time, Stand By Me, You’ve Got A Friend and the Lily at Lissadell series. Stand By Me was named Children’s Book of the Year (Senior) at the Irish Book Awards. Her books have been published in German, Portuguese, Spanish, Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian, Russian, Serbian, Welsh, Czech and Turkish, and in Australia and New Zealand. Judi grew up in Cork and now lives in Limerick, where she is married with three children.
VIRTUAL WORKSHOP via ZOOM
Escape room with CHRISTOPHER EDGE
Escape room with CHRISTOPHER EDGE
Christopher Edge
Christopher Edge is an award-winning children's author whose books have been translated into more than twenty languages. His novel The Infinite Lives of Maisie Day won the STEAM Children's Book Prize and his last four novels were all nominated for the prestigious CILIP Carnegie Medal. Before becoming a writer, he worked as an English teacher, editor and publisher - any job that let him keep a book close to hand - and he now lives in Gloucestershire with his wife and family, close to his local library.
VIRTUAL WORKSHOP via ZOOM
Bi- lingual poetry with AÍNE NÍ GHLINN
Bi- lingual poetry with AÍNE NÍ GHLINN
Áine Ní Ghlinn
Áine Ní Ghlinn is a bilingual Irish journalist, poet, playwright and children's writer. She is the former Laureate na nÓg, 2020—2023, the first to write exclusively in Irish.
VIRTUAL WORKSHOP via ZOOM
Funny stories with HELEN RUTTER
Funny stories with HELEN RUTTER
Helen Rutter
The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh is Helen Rutter's first novel. She lives just outside Sheffield and has worked as an actress for many years. The idea for this story came from her son, Lenny, who has a stammer: she wanted to write the book that he would love to read, starring a child like him. She hopes that children will be able to relate to feeling unheard, different from the rest and unable to find their voice.
VIRTUAL WORKSHOP via ZOOM
Storytelling & Drawing with CHRIS HAUGHTON
Storytelling & Drawing with CHRIS HAUGHTON
Chris Haughton
Chris Haughton is an illustrator and author originally from Dublin who now lives in London. One of the most exciting new voices in children’s literature, Chris is the acclaimed picture book creator of A Bit Lost, Oh No, George!, Shh! We Have a Plan, Maybe and many more.
His seven books have been translated into many languages around the world. He also made an iOS app, HAT MONKEY and a virtual reality experience LITTLE EARTH.
His seven books have been translated into many languages around the world. He also made an iOS app, HAT MONKEY and a virtual reality experience LITTLE EARTH.
IN-PERSON WORKSHOPS
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
Illustrating History with ALAN DUNNE
Illustrating History with ALAN DUNNE
Alan Dunne
Alan Dunne, the renowned and award-winning freelance illustrator from Ireland, is known for his critically acclaimed work in children's and young adult publications, graphic novels, editorial pieces, advertising campaigns, postage stamps, museums, restaurants, and restaurants and visitor centres. His unique style is distinctive and considered, blending digital and traditional processes with occasional paper-craft for added flair. In his work, Alan places great emphasis on storytelling and historical research, bringing his carefully researched characters and intricate details to life.
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
Storytelling with BARNSTORM
Storytelling with BARNSTORM
Jo Hennessy
Barnstorm Theatre Company in Kilkenny has pioneered theatre for children and young people for over 30 years. More than 700,000 children, young people and adults have had their imaginations sparked in the course of our work. We believe in the transformational potential of theatre, engagement with the local community, collaborations and partnerships; in pushing boundaries and offering opportunities to others to develop their practice.
Jo Hennessy, Participation & Education Officer with Barnstorm, has an extensive background in Drama Teaching and Education at both secondary and primary level. Jo is a trained actor and director who is passionate about bringing theatre to different facets of the community. Jo is responsible for facilitating Barnstorm’s education and participation programmes and is currently facilitating the Adult Theatre Club, Curriculum support materials, Creative Clusters, and Professional Development opportunities for Educators. Jo strives to develop new connections and community-based initiates and relationships.
Jo Hennessy, Participation & Education Officer with Barnstorm, has an extensive background in Drama Teaching and Education at both secondary and primary level. Jo is a trained actor and director who is passionate about bringing theatre to different facets of the community. Jo is responsible for facilitating Barnstorm’s education and participation programmes and is currently facilitating the Adult Theatre Club, Curriculum support materials, Creative Clusters, and Professional Development opportunities for Educators. Jo strives to develop new connections and community-based initiates and relationships.
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
Sensory friendly movement & music with JESS ROWELL
EXCLUSIVE EVENT FOR CHILDREN WITH ADDITIONAL NEEDS
Sensory friendly movement & music with JESS ROWELL
EXCLUSIVE EVENT FOR CHILDREN WITH ADDITIONAL NEEDS
Jess Rowell
Jess Rowell is an inclusive dance, artist, movement facilitator and maker of multisensory dance theatre experiences. She has performed, collaborated and directed work in both professional and community contexts for over 13 years. Inclusivity is at the heart of her practice and she is committed to making dance accessible by facilitating projects that engage young people, adults and artists with intellectual disabilities.
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
Irish history with ANN MURTAGH
Irish history with ANN MURTAGH
Ann Murtagh
Ann Murtagh lives in Kilkenny with her husband and two dogs. As well as The Sound of Freedom, she wrote The Kidds of Summerhill (2021) and The Climbing Boys (2023), also published by The O’Brien Press. She believes historical fiction is a great way to shine a light on the amazing lives and times of children in the past. Ann loves exploring history and sees possible stories at every turn!
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
Nature tales with ARRAN TOWERS
Nature tales with ARRAN TOWERS
Arran Towers
Arran Towers, as Tallest Smallest Theatre, offers a range of performance, storytelling and workshop options encompassing: puppetry, circus and nature connection crafts. Arran, based in Cork, has appeared nationwide in schools, libraries and art festivals and even twice in Glastonbury! As well as performing, Arran is a trained, and working, Forest School practitioner and currently is creating arts based school resources for the Green-Schools flag programme.
IN-PERSON COMEDY
Comedy show with SHELF
Comedy show with SHELF
SHELF - Ruby & Rachel
SHELF, winner: Best Kids' Show, 2023 Leicester Comedy Festival. Over one million views on BBC Three. Five star rating from Guardian, Scotsman, Skinny, FunnyWomen.com.
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
Story time with DUNCAN BEEDIE
Story time with DUNCAN BEEDIE
Duncan Beedie
Duncan Beedie is a children’s author and illustrator from Bristol, UK. He's been obsessed with drawing ever since he could hold a felt tip in his clammy little fist, and has fond memories of sprawling out on his parents’ living room carpet for hours on end, filling sketchbooks with doodles.
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
Singing with MUSIC GENERATION KILKENNY Musician Educators
BARBARA KELLY & CLARE KILKENNY
Singing with MUSIC GENERATION KILKENNY Musician Educators
BARBARA KELLY & CLARE KILKENNY
Clare Kilkenny & Barbara Kelly
Barbara Kelly and Clare Kilkenny are vocal tutors with Music Generation Kilkenny since September 2019. They both teach on the Music Generation Kilkenny ‘Vocal Programme’ and ‘Music Makers Programme’ in primary schools across Kilkenny and deliver vocal workshops in the community. More recently they co-facilitates the ‘Kilkenny Youth Choir’, a very popular new Music Generation Kilkenny initiative.
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
Art with CELINA BUCKLEY
Art with CELINA BUCKLEY
Celina Buckley
Celina Buckley is an artist, author, illustrator and teacher from Co. Cork, Ireland. Her first picture book is a retelling of The Salmon of Knowledge published in 2019. It was used for a storyboarding lesson on RTÉ’s Home School Hub programme in 2020. She competed as a finalist on SKY Landscape Artist of the Year 2023 (UK and Northern Ireland). Buckley received an Agility Award from the Arts Council which helped make her ‘DOCKLANDS’ solo art exhibition possible, November 2022. Her work has been selected for exhibitions in GOMA - Waterford, Ranelagh Arts - Dublin, Cill Rialaig and K-Fest - Kerry, BeFramed - Cork.
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
Samba drumming with MUSIC GENERATION KILKENNY Musician Educator THOMAS DUFFY
Samba drumming with MUSIC GENERATION KILKENNY Musician Educator THOMAS DUFFY
Thomas Duffy
Thomas Duffy is a Musician Educator with Music Generation Kilkenny delivering samba workshops to children and young people in schools and in the community. Thomas is a percussionist, visual artist and performer specialising in AfroBrazilian Percussion for almost 25 years.
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
Wild story making with MONKEYSHINE
Wild story making with MONKEYSHINE
Monkeyshine is an arts and Theatre company based in County Kilkenny. The company have been enchanting children and adults for 25 years with their beautiful stories and creative adventures. Their work explores themes of connection to each other and the living Earth and celebrates all that it is to be human.
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
Animal safety and drawing with ALMA JORDAN & MARGARET ANNE SUGGS
Animal safety and drawing with ALMA JORDAN & MARGARET ANNE SUGGS
Alma Jordan
|
Margaret Anne Suggs
|
Alma Jordan
Alma Jordan lives on a farm in County Meath with her husband Mark and son Eamon. After a successful career in marketing and communications, she founded the award-winning social enterprise AgriKids in 2015 to spread the message of farm safety to children in a fun and engaging way. Alma grew up on a farm in Co. Kildare, and the Hazel Tree Farm series features lots of real-life stories from her childhood, as well as moments shared by the children she meets through her work today.
Margaret Anne Suggs
Margaret Anne Suggs is a children's book illustrator and has published over a dozen books in 4 languages. In a digital world, Margaret Anne still works by hand, creating intricate, heart-felt, delightful illustrations. Raised in the US, she moved to Ireland to pursue a Master's Degree at the National College of Art and Design. She lectures part-time at Ballyfermot College, where she founded the illustration course (Higher National Diploma). She lives with her family in Co. Dublin, by the sea.
Alma Jordan lives on a farm in County Meath with her husband Mark and son Eamon. After a successful career in marketing and communications, she founded the award-winning social enterprise AgriKids in 2015 to spread the message of farm safety to children in a fun and engaging way. Alma grew up on a farm in Co. Kildare, and the Hazel Tree Farm series features lots of real-life stories from her childhood, as well as moments shared by the children she meets through her work today.
Margaret Anne Suggs
Margaret Anne Suggs is a children's book illustrator and has published over a dozen books in 4 languages. In a digital world, Margaret Anne still works by hand, creating intricate, heart-felt, delightful illustrations. Raised in the US, she moved to Ireland to pursue a Master's Degree at the National College of Art and Design. She lectures part-time at Ballyfermot College, where she founded the illustration course (Higher National Diploma). She lives with her family in Co. Dublin, by the sea.
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
Pirate Ireland with ALAN NOLAN
Pirate Ireland with ALAN NOLAN
Alan Nolan
Alan Nolan is the author and illustrator of Fintan’s Fifteen, Conor’s Caveman and the Sam Hannigan series, and he is the illustrator of the popular Gordon’s Game books written by Gordon D’Arcy and Paul Howard, as well as Animal Crackers by Sarah Webb. His new historical book, Molly Malone and Bram Stoker in Double Trouble at the Dead Zoo, the follow up to his popular novel, The Sackville Street Caper, is out now from The O’Brien Press.
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
Creative writing with BRIAN GALLAGHER
Creative writing with BRIAN GALLAGHER
Brian Gallagher
Brian Gallagher was born in Dublin. He is a full-time writer whose plays and short stories have been produced in Ireland, Britain and Canada. He has worked extensively in radio and television, writing many dramas and documentaries. Brian is the author of four adult novels, and many popular books of historical fiction for young readers including One Good Turn and Friend or Foe – both set in Dublin in 1916, Stormclouds, Secrets and Shadows, Taking Sides, Across the Divide, Arrivals, Pawns, and Resistance. Brian lives with his family in Dublin.
IN-PERSON WORKSHOP
Wildlife & heritage with EMMA-JANE LEESON
Wildlife & heritage with EMMA-JANE LEESON
Emma-Jane Leeson
Emma-Jane Leeson is one of Ireland’s leading children’s author living in Kildare beside the beautiful ‘Special Area of Conservation’ Ballynafagh Lake. Emma-Jane wrote her first ‘story about Johnny Magory’ 18 years ago for her first daughter. These stories are all based on the old rhyme “Will I tell you a story about Johnny Magory? Will I begin it, that’s all that’s in it!” which her father used to tell her every night. Each of the stories educates children on Irish heritage and wildlife in a fun way. She is currently writing the TV animation series ‘Johnny Magory’.
EJ spent her childhood outside, where she was happiest. Not a lot has changed in three decades. This love of nature and the outdoors inspired EJ to write down a few stories and bring Johnny McGory to the next generation.
EJ spent her childhood outside, where she was happiest. Not a lot has changed in three decades. This love of nature and the outdoors inspired EJ to write down a few stories and bring Johnny McGory to the next generation.