Kilkenny residents urged to banish lockdown blues … with a good book

Kilkenny County Council has co-launched an innovative new reading campaign to help people’s mental well.

‘Ireland Reads’ aims to get people in Kilkenny and the rest of the country to get stuck into some great books between now and a national day of reading, which will take place on Thursday, February 25.

The council’s library service have teamed up with libraries nationwide, publishers, booksellers, authors and others for the campaign, which is all part of the Government’s Keep Well initiative. This part of the campaign aims to celebrate reading and all the benefits it can have for wellbeing and enjoyment.

A new website – www.irelandreads.ie – has been set up where people can pledge to read on the day and see how much time has been pledged so far.

Kilkenny’s library service will be hosting a range of events over the coming weeks, including talks from authors Rick O’Shea, Liz Nugent, Donal Ryan, Una Mannion, Alan Nolan, Nicola Pierce and Liz Weir.

Launching the campaign, County Librarian Josephine Coyne said: “This is wonderful opportunity for people of all ages to take some me time and engage with a book.

“Many activities which we may have taken for granted are not available to us, but these resources are all available free online and any time to library members,” Ms Coyne added.

For more information about ‘Ireland Reads’, visit: www.kilkennylibrary.ie.