Eoin Colfer hopes to Hook young readers

Laureate na nÓg Eoin Colfer will launch Once Upon A Place, a nationwide tour of storytelling, this Friday, October 10th, on the Hook Peninsula, Co Wexford.

The best-selling author of novels such as the Artemis Fowl series and Benny and Omar grew up near Hook Head and many of his stories were inspired by the area. "I'm pleased to be able to start this new initiative on home ground," Colfer said. "My priority as Laureate na nÓg is to bring stories to children all over Ireland, particularly those in remote areas that might not normally receive visits from writers, so where better to start than in that magical place, the Hook?"

In the first event, Eoin Colfer, Grainne Clear and writer-illustrator PJ Lynch will be telling stories to schoolchildren from three primary schools in Co Wexford in the landmarks of Hook Head Lighthouse and Loftus Hall, the inspiration for Eoin's Fowl Manor in the Artemis Fowl books.

The Once Upon A Place programme has three strands: the first brings stories to children all over Ireland, reaching places that might not normally be prioritised eg schools that are not part of a writers in schools scheme, remote communities that may not have had a visiting storyteller before, or youth/reading groups that may not have funding to access visiting artists. Eoin’s second focus is on fantastic places: extraordinary settings in which to stage very special and memorable storytelling events to spark children’s imaginations and bring the magic of story and of books to young people. In a third strand, Eoin is editing an anthology of original short stories written by well-known Irish writers for children as well as other prominent Irish personalities from the worlds of literature, music, comedy, TV and sport.

Once Upon A Place will take place over the next 18 months, during the remainder of Eoin’s term as Laureate na nÓg, an initiative of the Arts Council with the support of The Department of Children and Youth Affairs, Children’s Books Ireland, Poetry Ireland and The Arts Council of Northern Ireland. The honour was established by the Arts Council to engage young people with high quality literature and to underline the importance of children’s literature in our cultural and imaginative lives.

Arts Council director Orlaith McBride said: “The Arts Council is thrilled with the breadth, reach and quality of this tour, which will engage children and young people from all across the country in a series of inventive and inspiring events. Eoin Colfer has very quickly placed his unique stamp on Laureate na nÓg and his tenure will undoubtedly leave a lasting and real impact on children and adults alike. We couldn’t be prouder of this initiative.”

Sixteen events will take place in 16 counties, involving groups and venues from all over the island of Ireland. As well as visiting schools and other groups in Clare, Kilkenny, Laois, Leitrim, Mayo, Waterford and Westmeath, Eoin and a team of top-class storytellers will also be bringing the story tour to:

The Gothic mansion of Duckett’s Grove, Carlow, with Gaelscoil Eoghan Uí Thuarisc as part of Seachtain na Gaeilge 2015

A steam train which will travel up the North Dublin coast, in partnership with Fingal County Libraries with the support of Iarnród Éireann

The Mass Rock in Castlemaine, Kerry and the slopes of Knocknashee, Co. Sligo

The Glucksman Gallery in Cork