One Kilkenny town is set to become a booklover's paradise this weekend

The picturesque town of Graignamanagh is set to celebrate the 22nd anniversary of the Town of Books Festival, taking place from August 22-24.

The festival committee has announced that Blacknight will once again take the lead in 2025 as the main sponsor. Blacknight, is not just about domains and hosting; it’s also passionate about stories, knowledge, and the magic that happens when you open a good book.

Set on the banks of the enchanting River Barrow, the festival has become a literary haven for book lovers and a cultural highlight for locals and visitors alike. In recent years, the committee has welcomed guests from all over the world, including Seattle, Washington DC, South Africa, Finland, Texas, England, Scotland, Wales, and France.
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First held in 2003, the Town of Books Festival has grown from strength to strength over the past two decades. The three-day celebration attracts booksellers, avid readers, collectors, artists, and enthusiasts from across Ireland and beyond.

This year’s programme includes the ever-popular food and craft market at Abbey Hall, live music, poetry readings, face painting, and a variety of other family-friendly activities.

The festivities begin with a festival launch and drinks reception at 7pm on Friday, followed by a special event at 8pm featuring local TV personality Edward Hayden in conversation with two distinguished guests:

Pat Marry
The Making of a Detective:
When he retired in 2018, Pat Marry had been instrumental in solving dozens of serious crimes, including many murders. But as a newly qualified garda in 1985, Marry had no idea how to become a detective. He quickly realised he would have to learn on the job to step forward and prove he had what it took.

Beau Donnelly
The Woman Who Fooled the World:
Beau is an award-winning investigative journalist and co-author of the best-selling book The Woman Who Fooled the World, the true story behind Netflix’s Apple Cider Vinegar.
He has worked for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald in Australia, and for The Times and The Sunday Times in Ireland.

CUSHENDALE
Cushendale Woollen Mills will present a beautiful exhibition titled A Vintage Yarn: Stories of Irish Fashion and Design throughout the weekend.

Miriam Cushen will collaborate with Naomi Fitzgibbon of Vintage Finds You, Irelands premier curator of vintage fashion. Naomi’s archive includes couture pieces rarely seen outside museums featuring works by Irene Gilbert, Ib Jorgensen, Mary O’Donnell, and Pat Crowley.

With support from Creative Kilkenny, the Town of Books Festival will host 70 Plein Air artists this year, including many of Irelands top painters. En Plein Air — the act of painting outdoors — was popularised by the Impressionists, who sought to capture nature directly.

This year’s paint-out competition will be judged with the support of the Butler Gallery, Kilkenny. The top prize, valued at €500 in web hosting and design, is generously sponsored by Blacknight (T&Cs apply).

Visitors will enjoy watching the artists work throughout the weekend and are invited to attend the exhibition on Sunday evening, where they can vote for the Peoples Choice Award. The Town of Books Festival is incredibly well supported by the local community and businesses, and takes pride in being an inclusive and welcoming town.