Top author to speak at Tullamore library event

Highly-acclaimed author Donal Ryan is set to speak at an event in Tullamore Library on Tuesday, February 25, at 6.30pm.

Donal’s book, ‘Heart, Be at Peace’ was recently awarded An Post Irish Book of the Year 2024.

His work has been published in over twenty languages to major critical acclaim.

It comes as Offaly libraries urge locals to ‘get lost in a good book’ on Saturday, February 22, as Ireland Reads Day comes to libraries nationwide.

Award-winning author and Ireland Reads ambassador, Marian Keyes, feels strongly about the transformative power of reading, which she discovered as a child.

“I was an anxious, lonely child, but when I read my first Enid Blyton book, The Twins at St Clare’s, my mind was blown,” she said.

“Suddenly, I had a gateway to another world – to infinite worlds.

“I was able to escape the discomfort of being me by immersing myself in the lives of others. Since then, reading has been my saviour. The ability to read is my superpower.”

Ireland Reads is a great way to rediscover Offaly libraries and all the services they have to offer, according to Stuart Hamilton, Head of Libraries Development at the Local Government Management Agency. (LGMA)

“Some may be pleasantly surprised to learn that library fees were abolished in January 2019 and all previous fines were removed,” he said.

“This means that you can return to your library with a clean slate – even if you forgot to return that last book."

For reading recommendations and to see a list of events taking place in libraries in Offaly and across the country, visit www.irelandreads.ie.

Led by Libraries Ireland, the campaign is an initiative of the Government of Ireland and is part of the Healthy Ireland programme.