The Children's Books Ireland International Conference Guide (updated for 2026)
Conference weekend almost upon us!
We hope you're excited as we are to chat all things children’s books this weekend at the Children’s Books Ireland International Conference 2026. Because the team know how much planning can go into attending an event like this, we put together this handy little guide so that all the key information can be found in one place.
If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out email, or by sending us a DM on Instagram or Bluesky. If you have any problems on the day, any member of staff will be more than happy to help out. Just look for the lanyards!
If you still need to purchase a ticket. Click the link below.
How to find us
The Children’s Books Ireland International Conference 2026 will be held in the Light House Cinema, Smithfield. The Light House Cinema can be reached via:
- The Red Line Luas* – get off at the Smithfield stop. The Red line serves both Heuston and Connolly train stations.
- Bus (see here for more info)
- On foot (16 min from Heuston Station, 18 min from O’Connell Street)
*Please note that there will be no Red Line trams running between Red Cow and Tallaght / Saggart on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September. For more details, click here
Where to park
Park Rite Car Park is located on Queen Street, less than a minute walk from Light House Cinema and costs €4 an hour. It operates using number plate recognition. For 20% off, pre-book online using code LIGHTH20 (information taken from lighthousecinema.ie). For more information on Park Rite Car Park, click here.
Registration
Registration begins at 9:00am on both Saturday and Sunday of conference. When you arrive, head downstairs to our registration desk to pick up your wristband and then your delegate bag. There will be a station to create your own name tag if you so please. Name tags can be a great help for people that are attending solo, so this highly encouraged. Please note that there is no need to print out your ticket.
Accessibility
The Light House Cinema is fully wheelchair accessible with lifts located on each floor. There is a dedicated accessible toilet located on the mezzanine at -2 level. Please ask a member of staff for the pass code to gain entry. Each Screen has designated wheelchair accessible seats. We encourage any attendees that feel more comfortable wearing a mask in social settings to do so.
Professional ISL (Irish Sign Language) interpreters will be standing next to the speakers throughout the event.
We kindly ask that attendees fill the centre seats first and leave the aisle seats free for anyone that may require them.
Lastly, if you are attending on your own, we understand that it can feel a little daunting. This is why we will have Conference Buddies to help each day. Conference Buddies are friendly, regular attendees who know the industry, know the people, and are always up for a chat. If you’re not sure who to talk to during comfort breaks or lunch, seek them out. Conference Buddies will be introduced each morning during the opening remarks. You can also talk to a member of the Children's Books Ireland team, we're always happy to make introductions!
If you require any additional assistance, please contact a member of the Children's Books Ireland team (we will be wearing lanyards!) and we will do our best to help.
Timetable
Follow the link below to discover the full timetable of discussions, panels and children's book celebrations this weekend.
Coffee and lunch spots
Conference is hungry work, and no doubt you’ll find yourself in need of at least one sweet treat and a caffeine refuel throughout the weekend. The Light House Cinema has an on-site café; however, capacity is limited. For a list of cafés nearby that we love, you can click here. Feel free to go exploring, but please keep in mind that cafés can also be busy during this time. You don’t want to miss out on anything!
Toilets
Toilets are located on the ground floor and basement level of the venue. You are welcome to use the bathroom that best aligns with your gender identity or whichever choice you are most comfortable with.
Sustainability
We want to keep conference as green as possible, and we encourage our guests to bring their KeepCups and water bottles with them. There will be a water point at the cinema bar for refills between sessions.
Please note that due to limited capacity in the Light House Cinema café, staff may be obliged to distribute take-away cups and containers. In the interest of health and safety, all food and drink being brought below the ground floor must be placed in a take-away container.
