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

School children and families in Mayo 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 this April.

The route and schedule of the upcoming, first-of-its-kind tour has been announced, 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 1,400 kilometres on a multicolour, 30-seater coach, the tour begins at Ireland’s most northerly point, Malin Head in Co. Donegal, on Monday, April 14, and concludes at Kinsale Library in Cork on Sunday, April 28. This will include four stops in Mayo at Belmullet, Newport and Westport.

Patricia Forde will be joined in Mayo by authors and illustrators for workshops, readings and artist events for school groups, library groups and families. The full line-up will be announced in March.

In Mayo, the tour will make stops at: Belmullet (two events – one as Gaeilge at Áras Inis Gluaire, and one in Belmullet Library); Newport National School; Tertulia Books in Westport. All events in Mayo will take place on Thursday, April 18.

Speaking at the announcement of the route, Patricia Forde said: “I’m very excited at the prospect of meeting young readers and writers in Mayo in April. This tour is about igniting imaginations and ensuring that Mayo 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!”

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 our 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, added: “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 minds through the power of a story told well.”

Forde, who was announced as Laureate na nÓg in May 2023, is a native of Galway and has published over 20 titles for children of all ages, in Irish and English. As a former teacher, former director of the Galway Arts Festival, and co-founder of the Baboró International Arts Festival for Children, she is an advocate for children’s right to culture.

The full programme of artists, illustrators and venues will be announced in the coming weeks. For more information, visit www.childrenslaureate.ie.