‘TOWERS & TALES’ ATTRACTS YOUNG AND OLD

It was like old times in Lismore last Saturday as the heritage town kicked off its ‘summer’ season with a hugely successful Children’s Book Festival ‘Towers & Tales’.

As the Census figures keep telling us, there are no shortage of children in the Republic of Ireland and a good percentage of them were in west Waterford last weekend to meet up with friends and make some new ones, while, at the same time, being exposed to reading and writing. On the evidence of what festival organisers were able to serve up, the written word is not done for yet, far from it.

Given even the smallest bit of encouragement, young people will still set aside time for a book. Of course, it has to be a ‘ good book’ - from everything we’re told, the publication must have strong characters (male, female and everything in between), a strong plot line, plenty of action and if there’s a bit of gore, so much the better.

HEADING FOR THE CASTLE

In stories from our

youth, heroes and villains spent much of their time coming and going from castles. Now, what town has a functioning castle? Lismore of course. The castle grounds provided a fairytale backdrop to a lot of the activies, which included: book swapping, the story trail, childvision camp, a circus disco and the antics

of Captain Cormac. It all made for a fantastic day out and needless to say, youngsters lapped it all up.

A special mention to the young people from Lismore Foroige, who were on meet and greet duty - they, including a visiting Spanish lady, did a superb job.

CHILDREN’S AUTHORS

Side by side with the

fun and games of children’s literature, there’s a commerical aspect and prominent authors such as Paddy Donnelly, Kathi Burke, Aoife Dooley and Muireann Ni Chiobhain held very successful book signing seminars. They, along with colleagues Robin Stevens, Ed Vere and Joseph Coelho, were all warmly received.

HAPPY EVER AFTER

A few quid was spent and a few quid was made, the festival organisers and their sponsors

were happy and most importantly of all, the juniors and juveniles went home with smiles on their faces.

Members of the ‘Cape-Ability Club’ and their leaders, who were in Lismore last Saturday for the Towers & Tales Children’s Book Festival. (Pic: John Ahern)

Ahern) (Pic: John Foróige members who were on duty at last Saturday’s Towers & Tales Book Festival in Lismore, l-r: Laia Sanchez, Lauren Fuller and Ella Carthy.

(Pic: John Ahern) Paula Molumphy (Ballyduff Upper) and Kathy Martin (Glencairn) who were at last Saturday’s Children’s Book Festival in Lismore.

(Pic: John Ahern) Local man, Paul Fitzgerald, who brought his sons, Eli and Seth to the Towers & Tales Children’s Book Festival in Lismore last Saturday.

(Pic: John Ahern) Avid readers, Ballyduff brothers, Harry and John Molumphy, had a great time at last Saturday’s ‘Towers & Tales’ event in Lismore.

(Pic: John Ahern) HAPPY CAMPERS: Liam O’Connell from Ballynoe and his son, Daniel, were at last Saturday’s Towers & Tales.