Booksellers to descend on Graignamanagh for 20th Town of Books Festival

Over 25 independent booksellers will descend on Graignamanagh for the 20th anniversary of the Graignamanagh Town of Books Festival in the riverside South Kilkenny town.

The internationally renowned festival is now in its 20th year, and is a must for anyone who wants to pick up a bargain in new, second-hand, antiquarian, children’s and specialist books, the organiser say.

This year’s programme will include an artisan food and craft element at the Abbey Hall, literary events an outdoor cinema, face painting and Plein Air Art and much more, lots of fun for all the family.

This much-anticipated event will take place from August 18 to 20 and promises to bring together book enthusiasts, authors, and local residents for a memorable celebration of literature, community, and culture.

Supported by Kilkenny and Carlow County Councils and Blacknight, the Town of Books Festival aims to highlight the rich literary heritage of Graignamanagh and create a vibrant platform for local artists, authors, and book lovers to come together and share their passion for the written word.

With a range of exciting activities and events, attendees will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of books and explore the unique charm of the rural Irish town located on the banks of the River Barrow under Brandon Hill and the Blackstairs Mountains.

“We are incredibly proud of the collaborative efforts that have gone into planning the Town of Books Festival,” said member of the Festival Committee Mary Whelan.

“We have worked tirelessly to curate a diverse and compelling program that will captivate attendees from near and far. It is our hope that this festival will continue to grow each year, becoming a staple in the literary calendar of Ireland.”

Every available space in the picture-postcard town is turned into a bookshop for the event, which has drawn big names and renowned collectors to the Kilkenny town down through the years.

Committee member Margaret Whelan outlines how it has become a nationally-recognised festival — and a fantastic opportunity for independent booksellers to showcase their stock to a captive audience.

“The physical size of Graignamanagh lends itself to hosting a festival like this. Entire families can walk from one end of the town to the other in comfort and in safety and peruse the books and activities on offer at the various hubs around the town,” she says.

APPRECIATIVE
“We are also incredibly appreciative of the support that we get from local businesses and volunteers alike for the weekend. We couldn’t do it without them.

“Make sure to join us in Graignamanagh, for this important anniversary!”

For further information, check out IrelandsBooktown on Facebook, and www.graiguenamanaghtownofbooks.ie or call 087-9270624.

See upcoming editions of the Kilkenny People and KilkennyLive.ie for all the pictures from the special weekend.