Bookville festival to return to Kilkenny

The festival is approaching its ninth edition and will feature over 60 workshops

Published 19th Aug 2026, 11:00 BST Updated 19th Aug 2026, 11:02 BST The launch of the ninth Bookville Festival The festival is approaching its ninth edition and will feature over 60 workshops Sign up to our Kilkenny Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Kilkenny Live within your account.

Bookville, a Kilkenny festival of books for families and children, celebrates its ninth year in 2026 with events from October 1 to 8.

Taking place in libraries across the county, Bookville promises a fabulous programme of free events for primary school children and the general public.

This year, Bookville will embrace the theme of Wild & Wondrous Things, celebrating and exploring the wild and wondrous world we live in, inviting young and old alike to discover, question, reflect and reconnect with the environment we share.

The Bookville Festival once again features the hugely popular activity book, which will be delivered to over 12,500 primary school children around Kilkenny county.

Over the seven festival days there will be 60 workshops given by 31 children’s authors, illustrators, artists, musicians and entertainers, covering creative writing, comedy, music, illustration, Gaeilge, storytelling and poetry.

There will also be a Bookville exhibition and a comedy and show suitable for the whole family.

County Librarian Josephine Coyne said: “Bookville continues to bring new surprises every year. In this, its ninth year, we will be welcoming families on board our story telling train which will tour the streets of Kilkenny City and we will be showcasing our brand new library in Thomastown with a family show by an award winning comedian.”

“The varied programme ensures wide reach and engagement with more children, schools and families than ever before. The library service is delighted to be a part of this festival, inspiring local children to be involved in the world of books,” she added.

With a focus on nature and the environment, the Bookville festival will feature many children’s authors and illustrators, such as Paddy Donnelly, Eve McDonnell, Patricia Forde (former Children’s Laureate), Chris Judge, Éanna Ní Lamha and Richie Conroy (as Gaeilge).

Bookville is always proud to support our local talent and this year the programme includes workshops by Blaise Butler, Tom Duffy, Sheila Jordan, TADA! Theatre and film school, the National Reptile Zoo, Music Generation and the Acorn Project.

Bookville is delighted to present Signals, an exhibition at the Mayfair library from October 1 to 20. The exhibition will be self-guided for the general public, with schools required to pre-book their visits.

According to Kilkenny Assistant Arts Officer Kathy Conlan, “Signals encourages us to listen more closely to the rhythms of the Atlantic Ocean and the stories it tells, inviting audiences of all ages to listen, observe and connect with the powerful natural forces that surround.”

“This beautiful exhibition brings us on a journey of exploration, presenting a new way to see the sea and an opportunity to reconnect with the largest part of Ireland - the Atlantic Ocean.”

Bookings for all workshops will open at 10am on Wednesday September 9 and pre-booking is essential on www.bookvillekilkenny.com .