PRESS RELEASE
21st September 09
From Brian Roberts -Graiguenamanagh Tourism
Graiguenamanagh 'TOWN OF BOOKS' Festival
September 18th - 20th 2009
The 7th Annual Graiguenamanagh town of Books' Festival took place in Graiguenamanagh from Friday 18th to Sunday 20th September. This festival is now well established, and its unique atmosphere has a great following from all over the southeast and further afield. Organisers feared that booksellers might not travel in the current economic climate, but in fact the festival featured a record number of sellers. As a result there was a lot more preparation to prepare extra venues, purchase more tables and other equipment, and get the town ship shape for the weekend. Luckily the work paid off, with good weather ensuring great crowds all weekend. The booksellers who trade in Graiguenamanagh every year know well what to expect, but for those traders on their first visit it was a bit of an eye opener, but all went home happy with the weekend.
Atmosphere on the streets of Graiguenamanagh was positive and the town was buzzing all weekend. A fantastic storytelling caravan entertained children on the Square during Saturday. Melissa Baker, who is based in Cork, put on a fantastic show and many children qued up to go back for a second tale from this master storyteller. Saturday also featured a very interesting booklaunch at Graiguenamanagh library of the book 'Fr. Browne at Home', which gives a fantastic insight into the home life of Irelands most famous photographer, as well as some super shots of the Titanic and the first world war. The book was produced by John C Martin, a great nephew of Fr. Browne himself and who was on hand to answer questions giving a fantastic personal insight into the private life of this interesting and talented photographer. Sunday featured free outdoor Jazz by the river, stiltwalkers and a pair of mad scientists chaotically conducting experiments on innocent passers by. They had people enthralled for hours. In Abbey Hall, Graiguenamanagh, Sunday was dominated by an excellent food and craft fair which has also developed a great following over the years. Graiguenamanagh's own celebrity chef, Edward Hayden, was the first to sell out of fresh produce and others soon followed as the public eagerly queued for the mouthwatering goodies.
At the end of Sunday trading a large team of volunteers efficiently dismantled and stored away dozens of tables, as well as reusable signage, marquees and literally thousands of books. And already behind the scenes plans are afoot to make next years festival bigger and better again. Dates have been set and a rough outline of events has been put in place. So watch this space!!
The 2010 Festival will take place from 17th -19th September, 2010.
For further information contact the following members of Graiguenamanagh Tourism;
Robert Durie 059-9725969 info@ballyoganhouse.com
Brian Roberts 059-9724246 info@booktownireland.com
Graiguenamanagh, Co. Kilkenny - medieval river town and Ireland's first and only booktown!