Collectors set to head to ‘Town of Books’ Festival in Co Kilkenny

Organisers of a unique bookselling festival in Co Kilkenny next weekend hope to attract thousands of visitors – including new as well as established collectors – to one of Ireland’s most charming autumn cultural events.

The three-day Graiguenamanagh "Town of Books" festival begins on Friday, September 11th and continues throughout the weekend.

Book dealers from all over Ireland will set up pop-up bookshops offering rare, antiquarian, second-hand and children’s books as well as posters, postcards and other paper collectibles. Free book valuations are also available.

Fringe

Fringe activities include readings, a children’s art competition and guided walks to sites of historical interest including Duiske Abbey and the monk’s sculpture trail.

The town is a two-hour drive from Dublin (via the M9) and is a focal point on the Barrow Line riverside walk and cycle trail (about 7km) to the 7th century monastic site at St Mullins and was shortlisted among the top 5 in the Irish Times "Best Day Out in Ireland" awards earlier this year.

Festival spokesman Martin O'Brien said traditional bookfairs "usually constitute a row of tables in a hotel ballroom but in Graiguenamanagh the whole town is involved with booksellers taking over whole shops and "the event continues to catch the imagination of the book-buying public".

The aim of the festival is to appeal to families and to encourage children to take an interest in books while also attracting traditional book collectors.

A new feature of the festival this year is an Antiques Roadshow-type event on Sunday, September 13th, 2pm-4pm when experts from Sheppard's Irish Auction House will offer valuations of art and antiques.

The valuations are free but a donation to local charities (€5 for a single item, €10 for three items) is recommended. The venue for the valuations is the Boat House, Graiguenamanagh.

graiguenamanaghtownofbooks.com