Bookville a huge success in Kilkenny

What an amazing week teenagers and younger children had at Bookville Festival 2018.
Over 2,500 children and families took part in free Bookville events across the city and county from October 9 to 16.
This year, 30 participants including authors, storytellers, yoga teachers, musicians, illustrators and artists showcased events for families and children from 0 to 12-year-olds.
This wonderful festival is a result of the combined forces of Kilkenny Library Service and Kilkenny Arts Office both attached to Kilkenny County Council.
The venues included library branches in Callan, Castlecomer, Ferrybank, Graignamanagh, Thomastown, Urlingford, Loughboy, City Library, the Arts Office in Dean Street and the Parade Tower at Kilkenny Castle.
The festival team were delighted that so many creative figures joined them to become part of this fun filled festival, which will also have long lasting educational, social and cultural benefits for young people.
Headlining
Some of the headlining authors and artists included Shane Hegarty (Darkmouth fantasy series), Sarah Webb (Blazing Trail and A Sailor went to Sea) and Alan Nolan (Fintan’s Fifteen series).
Not forgetting Peter Donnelly (The President’s Glasses).
There was ‘Messy Play’ with Eilis O’Toole where babies and toddlers learn about their world through sensory play.
“Yoga Storytelling” with Nicola Foxe was another huge hit.
Bookville also hosted book making and creative writing with Sheila Jordan and Anna Jordan, and a group of young people produced animated films with CreateSchool.
Margaret Maxwell
On Thursday last Margaret Maxwell, Director of Kilkenny Education Centre and Mary Mulholland, director of services at Kilkenny County Council visited the Bookville exhibition by Dan Leo on Dean Street, Kilkenny alongside 3rd class from St. Canice’s Co Ed primary school.
Margaret Maxwell, KEC, said it was aprivilege for KEC to work with the Arts Office to raise awareness of the exhibition.
She praised the accompanying education pack which supported students to closely observe and discuss art as they saw it in Dan Leo’s work and respond creatively to it both during their visit and back in their schools.
They are learning not just about art but also about living things, both real and mythical, and their habitats which provide the inspiration for much of Dan Leo's work in outdoor spaces.’
Dan’s work was central to the successful Bookville experience and the inquisitive children immersed themselves in the world he created.
Everyone is already looking toward the 2019 festival and the fun, learning and excitement being brought to children and families across Kilkenny.