Discover Irish Children’s Books Symposium 2026
Discover Irish Children’s Books Symposium
This event was made possible through the support of the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council Grants Scheme
Venue: Dún Laoghaire Library, Lexicon Studio, Ground Floor (behind the café)
Date: Saturday 6th June 2026
Time: 11am to 5pm (Registration from 10am)
An inspiring day of talks and panels for children’s writers and illustrators at all stages of their careers, as well as teachers, librarians and all children’s book enthusiasts.
Programmed by Sarah Webb with the support of the dlr Writers in Residence Eve McDonnell and Ruth Ennis, and the Discover Irish Children’s Books Symposium Team: Kirsten Barrett, Conor Bredin, Eilish Fisher, Lucinda Jacob, Lori Moriarty, Alan Nolan, Sinéad O’Hart, Bex Sheridan and Alison Weatherby.
Bookshop on site with thanks to Dubray Books, Dún Laoghaire
Timetable for the Day |
10am to 11am Registration Run by members of the Discover Irish Children’s Books Team A chance to grab a coffee in the library café, check out the bookshop and to meet and mingle with children’s writers and illustrators. |
11am Welcome from the dlr Emerging Writer in Residence Ruth Ennis and Sarah Webb from the Discover Team. |
11.05am to 11.35am What’s New in International Children’s Books – a Postcard from the Bologna Children’s Book Fair 2026 With Ruth Concannon from Children’s Books Ireland and Margaret Anne Suggs, Author/Illustrator and ex-Chair of Illustrators Ireland An informative, inspiring and useful session for all children’s writers and illustrators. |
11.35am to 12.30pm Discover the World of Irish Children’s Books A Showcase of Local and National Children’s Authors and Illustrators Chair: Eve McDonnell A look at the recent and upcoming work of local and national children’s authors and illustrators: Sadhbh Devlin, Brian Fitzgerald, Deirdre Sullivan, and Jonathan Sung share their recent and new picture books; Zainab Boladale, Alan Nolan and Alison Weatherby share their new novels for age 9+ and Teens and Stephen Daly, Ruth Ennis and Kelly McCaughrain share their recent YA novels.
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5 minute comfort break |
12.35pm to 1.15pm Publishing Panel The Irish, UK and World Experience of Writing and Publishing for Children Chair: Sarah Webb With Peter Donnelly, Eilish Fisher, Patricia Forde and Alison Weatherby An insight into the world of Irish and UK publishing and all its ups and downs with three children’s authors and an author/illustrator who have been published in Ireland, the UK and further afield. From royalties and advances to finding and dealing with agents and your editor, find out more about the world of publishing.
A Few Words Before Lunch – Alan Nolan
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1.15pm to 2.35pm Lunch, Bookshop and Meet Up Many of the Symposium authors and illustrators will be signing at the bookshop during this time – with thanks to Dubray Books A chance to meet and chat and to exchange ideas and information. Check out the Discover Irish Children’s Books stand and the Bad Book Press stand with Ashwin Chacko and Clive McFarland.
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Food Options: Feel free to bring your own lunch – there are seating areas outside and inside the library. There is also a café on site and several others within a few minutes’ walk of the venue along the sea front, including Happy Out, Vanilla Pod, and Eddie Rockets. No eating in the studio itself please. |
2.35pm to 3.30pm The Ever-Changing World of School and Library Events Chair: Alan Nolan With Kelly McCaughrain, Eve McDonnell, Kevin Moran and Margaret Anne Suggs A panel discussion about events: how to book them, what works and doesn’t work, tips, advice, rates of pay and much more!
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5 minute comfort break |
3.35pm to 4.30pm A Life in Children’s Books with Three Former Laureates na nÓg, Irish Children’s Laureates Eoin Colfer and PJ Lynch in Conversation with Patricia Forde Eoin Colfer and PJ Lynch will give insights into their life and work in conversation with Patricia Forde. Three titans of the children’s book world!
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4.35pm Closing remarks by Eve McDonnell, Writer in Residence, dlr Writer in Residence |