Sligo to welcome Laureate na nÓg’s Whole Wide World Bus Tour

SCHOOL children and families in Sligo will have the chance to meet the creators of their favourite Irish books as part of Laureate na nÓg Patricia Forde’s ‘Whole Wild World’ Bus Tour when it visits the Hawk’s Well Theatre on Wednesday and Owenbeg National School in Easkey.

The route and schedule of the upcoming, first-of-its-kind tour was announced today, with Irish children’s writers and illustrators set to visit schools, libraries, bookshops and cultural venues in nine counties along the west coast of Ireland.

Taking in a total 1400 kilometres on a multicolour, 30-seater coach, the tour begins at Ireland’s most northerly point, Malin Head in County Donegal and concludes at Kinsale Library in Cork.

Patricia Forde will be joined in Sligo by authors and illustrators for workshops, readings and artist events for school groups, library groups and families.

Speaking at the announcement of the route, Patricia Forde said: “I’m very excited at the prospect of meeting young readers and writers in Sligo in April.

This tour is about igniting imaginations and ensuring that Sligo will have another generation of great writers and illustrators by bringing books and their creators to an audience that doesn’t often get a chance to meet them in their own local area. We will have exciting Irish authors and illustrators on board, hoping to inspire and to be inspired, to share stories and have lots of fun!”

Booking for school groups at Hawk’s Well Theatre can be made by contacting the theatre directly at boxoffice@ hawkswell.com. Elaina Ryan, CEO of Children’s Books Ireland said: “It’s so important that our small towns, rural communities and more remote schools get access to really exciting and memorable experiences with Irish children’s books. Patricia Forde is the first Laureate na nÓg from the west of Ireland, and her goal with the Whole Wild World Bus Tour is to make sure that young readers all along the west coast get to meet some of our most talented writers and illustrators and nurture the spark of creativity within themselves.”

Maureen Kennelly, Director of the Arts Council said: “We are thrilled to support Patricia Forde’s ground-breaking ‘Whole Wild World Bus Tour’, a pioneering initiative that will bring the magic of Irish children’s literature to communities along the ‘wild’ west coast of Ireland. This innovative journey, set against the backdrop of some of Ireland’s most breathtaking landscapes, embodies the spirit of adventure and imagination that is at the heart of storytelling.

“Through workshops, readings, and artist events, children and families will have the unique opportunity to engage with their favourite authors and illustrators, which will hopefully nurture a love of literature and creativity for years to come. We commend Patricia Forde and all the participating authors and illustrators for their dedication to entertaining and inspiring young mindthrough the power of a story told well.”