Welcome to Bookville Kilkenny 2026!
1st to 8th October

​'Wild and wondrous things'
This year, Bookville will embrace a theme that celebrates and explores the wild and
wondrous world we live in, inviting young and old alike to discover, question, reflect, and reconnect with the environment we share. There is still wildness in our midst, still questions waiting to be asked, and countless answers yet to be found, and who better to lead the way than the youngest most inquisitive among us!

---

​We are excited to be bringing you our 9th Bookville Festival with in-person workshops, the Bookville book, an exhibition and virtual workshops. Featuring some of the best contemporary children’s authors, illustrators and entertainers from across Ireland, the festival offers something for everyone. The programme will include creative writing, illustration, Gaeilge, music, storytelling and poetry. Have a look at our school programme and public programme for details of all events.

Booking for events opens at 10am on 9th September 

Follow us on social media and keep up to date with all things Bookville!

Meanwhile, here is a short video of the previous Bookville Festival. Enjoy!

A huge thank you to all the authors, illustrators, entertainers, library staff, teachers, children, Khans Books, the Kilkenny Book Centre, St Canice's Credit Union, the Kilkenny Education Centre, the Abbey Quarter & everyone else who have contributed to making Bookville the success it is.

Here is a flavour of school children enjoying Bookville...

Bookville is brought to you by Kilkenny Arts Office and Kilkenny Library Service supported by the Creative Ireland programme.  
This festival would not exist without our audiences and the support that you give to the festival.
We hope that Bookville will inspire children of all ages to become critical thinkers with curious minds.