Bookworms descend on Graignamanagh
Niamh Conaghan and Betty Payne dip into their new books at the festival
THOUSANDS of bookworms and literature lovers from across the world descended on the banks of the Barrow last weekend for the annual Graignamanagh Town of Books festival.
Over three days, visitors were able to experience a wide range of events as the town transformed into a hub of bookshops, exhibitions, talks, workshops, music, poetry and more.
The festival committee said it was “absolutely delighted” with how the festival was received.
“The town was buzzing throughout the weekend, with visitors exploring our bookshops, enjoying the events and activities, meeting friends and discovering everything Graignamanagh has to offer,” said Mary Whelan from the festival committee.
The committee expressed its thanks to all those who attended the festival, in particular the locals who volunteered, exhibited, traded, hosted an event or helped to make the weekend a success. “It was a fantastic community effort,” they added.
The festival opened on Friday 21 August with an official launch and drinks reception in Abbey Lane, followed by a conversation with Edward Hayden, award-winning RTÉ documentary maker Frank Shouldice and author Patrick Doherty which set the tone for the weekend.
Highlights over the following two days included a craft fair in Abbey Hall, an exhibition called at Duiske Glass, open studios and mill talks at Cushendale Woollen Mills and poetry readings beside the River Barrow.
There was also plenty of street entertainment, including Dee the stilt walker, performances by Beat on the Street and an appearance by Planet Vortex.
In the local library, Waterways Ireland and Graignamanagh Historical Society ran a workshop on the placenames and history of the Barrow navigation, connecting local stories with the area's waterways heritage.
A particular highlight, held as part of national heritage week, was a heritage event at O'Driscoll's Bar in Tinnahinch, celebrating Carlow and Kilkenny's traditions of blacksmithing and stonecraft. Heritage researcher Shem Caulfield spoke on the history of local blacksmiths, while O'Driscoll's opened its forge to the public for the day. Master stonecutter Martin Matthews also presented ***Stories in stone***, sharing the skills and traditions of the region's stonecraft.
The festival committee thanked the volunteers, premises owners, traders, performers and community groups who contributed to the weekend, along with main sponsors Blacknight Solutions, Kilkenny Co Council and St Canice's Credit Union.
