Ireland’s reputation as a land of storytellers is renowned, with a rich tradition of verbally sharing our tales and expressing our stories through the mediums of music, art, and dance. Not only do we boast of legendary scribes of yesteryears like Yeats, Wilde or Beckett, but our present authors are equally celebrated. They have taken up the literary baton and have continuously dazzled the world. The inclusion of two of our authors on the Booker shortlist of 2023, with Paul Lynch emerging as the eventual winner for his book ‘Prophet Song’, was indeed not unexpected.
Although known for our storytelling, we are also a nation of ardent readers and avid listeners. Many have questioned whether the rising trend of social media and digital platforms has led to a decrease in reading. However, my stance remains the same every time – no matter what technological advances we face, the thirst for reading will always persist. This is further evidenced by a report from Nielsen Bookscan that revealed more funds were spent on books in Ireland in 2023 than any previous years.
The proliferation of literary festivals across Ireland stands as proof of our affinity for storytelling and listening. Our inherent inquisitiveness compels us to discover the minds behind these stories. Similarly, authors are keen to discover who their readers are and what drives them to their stories. Additionally, many attendees are looking for the inspiration, and perhaps the bravery, to start writing themselves. This core mission is embodied by the Dublin Book Festival – connecting authors with readers, sparking new narratives, and creating a community of storytelling enthusiasts.
Our complimentary programming for families has had to expand over the years due to a growing demand from our younger attendees. These festivities attract families in large numbers to meet their favourite authors and illustrators and fully immerse themselves in the festival. These young enthusiasts represent our future readers, and rather than dwindling numbers, I have witnessed their growth and flourishing interest.
In my childhood, my mother would take my four siblings and me to our local library every week. I distinctly recall seeing her head to the adult section leaving us to our own, meandering through the rows of books with an unusual leisure, a contrast to her usually brisk and uninterrupted motions we were accustomed to in our five-child household. Meanwhile, I’d accompany my siblings to choose my preferred book, still able to recollect the quiet whispers and the scent of manuscript. The sound of the stamp adorning the back of each book, and the librarian stacking them up always delighted me.
Libraries in Ireland are extremely advantageous, often serving as sanctuaries and birthing grounds for many contemporary authors. An event I take great pleasure in arranging during our annual festival is the Dublin City Libraries Readers’ Day. A distinctive pattern I’ve noticed is the consistent return of certain attendees over the past decade, coupled with the gratifying sight of fresh faces. This time, we present two remarkable new novelists — Estelle Birdy and Colin Barrett, who figures in the Booker Prize longlist — to converse with Kevin Power. Renowned writer Catherine Dunne will interact about her writing journey and latest novel with Neil Hegarty, while Tana French and Lucy Foley will provide an exciting session for all the thriller enthusiasts as they converse with Declan Burke.
Dublin City Libraries will cater to our schools’ programme and the Dún Laoghaire library will curate several events, inclusive of a session with the author Sinéad Gleeson and the poet Michael Longley.
With the Dublin Book Festival, we aim to spotlight Ireland’s community of writers, illustrators, artists, and publishers who diligently facilitate these books’ journey from creation to publication. Over the span of five days, we will foster community bonding through events such as the unveiling of Silver Threads’ life-writing journal for mature writers, and ATD Ireland’s showcase of their anthology, ‘Creative Pathways to Participation’, which comprises poetry, writing, and art revolving around topics like activism, poverty, hopes, and sustainability.
The Dublin Book Festival carefully weaves elements of the world around us into its programme, with a focus on raising awareness about our environment. With the assistance of Taighde Eireann-Research Ireland, the festival showcases authors who deeply delve into topics such as climate issues and the environmental obstacles that we face. Upcoming author Eoghan Daltun will present his forthcoming book, The Magic of An Irish Rainforest, while Richard Nairn and Donal Magner will tackle the concern of dwindling forest cover. We will also learn about Patsy Peril’s quest to conserve our wild salmon population. These books offer us valuable insights and potentially innovative solutions to some of the world’s pressing issues.
The Dublin Book Festival is a celebration of words and literature in all its facets. The sense of elation I experience as the festival unfolds is indescribable. From authors engaging with their readers and scribbling autographs, to youngsters running out of the Dublin Castle with newly acquired books, chatting animatedly about their encounter with an author. The hum of crowd in the festival’s bookshop and the powerful, emotional moments during the events – all contribute to the festival’s unique experience. It is deeply moving to see attendees, who share my lifelong devotion to reading, subject to such overwhelming emotions. My eternal appreciation to my mother who instilled this love of literature in me from a young age.
I am Julianne Siron, the proud director of the Dublin Book Festival.