Ireland has always been a nation of storytellers. We are famous for telling our stories through words, dance, art and music. It is not only literary giants from our past such as Yeats, Wilde or Beckett that we are known for. They certainly paved the way, but our contemporary writers have taken up the challenge and continue to take the world by storm. It was no surprise that two Irish writers were on the 2023 Booker shortlist, and indeed the overall winner, Paul Lynch for Prophet Song.
We are a nation of storytellers, but we are also a nation of passionate readers and listeners. One of the most common questions I am asked is whether I feel the increased use of social media and online platforms has resulted in a decline in readers. Each time my answer is the same – no matter what technology throws at us, people will always read. In fact, Nielsen Bookscan reported that more money was spent on books in Ireland in 2023 than ever before.
The culture of storytelling and listening is testament to the success of literary festivals around Ireland. We are an innately curious nation! We want to know who is behind the story. Equally, authors are curious to know who is reading their books and what motivates them to do so. I also think people come to get inspiration and perhaps courage to pick up a pen themselves. That is what the Dublin Book Festival is all about. Bringing writers and readers together, inspiring new stories and surrounding ourselves with people to share our love of stories with.
Our free family programme has grown over the years and we have had to increase our capacity to cater for our ever-growing young audience. Families come in their droves to meet authors, illustrators and to take part in the festival. These are our future readers and I don’t see a decline in their numbers, I have watched them grow and thrive.
As a child, every week, my Mum would bring my four siblings and me to our local library. I would watch her leave us and go over to the adult section to stroll through the aisles. With five children in the house, it was rare to see her sit still or move slowly, but I remember how slowly she moved through those aisles in the library. I would turn and follow my brothers and sisters to choose my own book. I can still remember the hushed voices and the smell of paper. I loved the sound of the stamp on the back of the book and watching the librarian pile them up together.
I don’t think we realise how lucky we are with our libraries in Ireland. These libraries have been a haven and incubator for many of our writers today. Each year at the festival, one of my favourite events to programme is the Dublin City Libraries Readers’ Day. I have watched the same people return annually for ten years. I have also seen it grow and I love to see all the new faces. This year, we have two wonderful debut novelists, Estelle Birdy and the Booker Prize longlisted Colin Barrett, in conversation with Kevin Power. Esteemed author Catherine Dunne will discuss her writing career and new novel with Neil Hegarty and those that love a bit of a thrill will be treated to authors Tana French and Lucy Foley in conversation with Declan Burke.
Dublin City Libraries will host many of our schools’ programme and Dún Laoghaire library will host several events including with author Sinéad Gleeson and poet Michael Longley.
The Dublin Book Festival is a showcase for Ireland’s writers, illustrators, artists and indeed the publishers that work tirelessly to bring these books to the light of day. Over the five days we will bring communities together in events such as Silver Threads launching their journal of life-writing for senior writers; and ATD Ireland introducing us to their publication Creative Pathways to Participation – a collection of poetry, writing and art exploring themes of activism, poverty, hope and sustainability.
I have always believed that books reflect the world around us. The Dublin Book Festival has created a strand in our programme to explore what is going on in our natural world. Supported by Taighde Eireann-Research Ireland we have authors discussing climate, our environment and the challenges we face. Eoghan Daltun will discuss his upcoming book The Magic of An Irish Rainforest; Richard Nairn and Donal Magner will address the issue of our declining forests; and we will hear about Patsy Peril’s mission to save our wild salmon. Such books are incredibly important today, as it is through such books we can learn and understand what is going on in our world and perhaps discover ways of doing things to help.
The Dublin Book Festival celebrates words and books in all forms. I can’t explain the feeling of pure joy I experience during the festival when I see it all coming together live. Authors sitting at tables, pen in hand signing a book, talking and laughing with their readers; children racing out of Dublin Castle, books tucked under their arms, talking excitedly about the author they just met; The sound of the audiences milling around the bookshop; the tears and silence during events. There is a whole array of emotions on display at the festival and it touches me deeply that the thousands of people attending have the same love of books that I have had since I was a child. A present, given to me by my mother and one I will be eternally grateful for.
Julianne Siron is director of the Dublin Book Festival
