Children’s Books Ireland Primary School Bookmeet 2026
Calling all pre-service and in-service primary school teachers – join us for a free afternoon of book chat, ideas, and inspiration in Waterford!
We’re partnering with Waterford Education Support Centre to host the Children’s Books Ireland Bookmeet on the afternoon of Thursday the 3rd of September, from 2.30pm to 6.30pm.
What to expect on the day:
- An introduction session from Children’s Books Ireland with all our latest research insights, advocacy updates and book news;
- Workshops with authors and illustrators aimed at inspiring teachers to use the power of books and the joy of reading in their classrooms with, Eve McDonnell (senior primary), Dave Rudden (senior primary), Sadhbh Devlin (junior primary) and Olivia Hope (junior primary)
- A dedicated discussion on what a national community of practice focused on promoting reading for joy in schools could look like.
Places are free but limited, so, to register your interest, fill in the form below –and for more information about the event and how it will be relevant to your practice, email our Education & Advocacy Manager, Dr. Becky Long.
Eve McDonnell
An award-winning children’s author and artist from Co Wexford, Eve is the Children’s Books Ireland Reads & Rhymes Together Champion of Reading with Children’s Health Ireland, and the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown Co Co Writer-in-Residence for 2025-2026. Eve designs, programmes and facilitates creativity workshops in libraries, schools, hospitals and festivals.
Dave Rudden
Dave Rudden is the author of the award-winning Knights of the Borrowed Dar, as well as the middle-grade horror series Tales of Darkisle and the adult epic fantasy Sister Wake.
Sadhbh Devlin
Scríobhann Sadhbh Devlin pictiúirleabhair gleoite a bhfuil gradaim buaite acu. Tá cónaí uirthi i gCill Mhantáin lena chlann agus puisín dána darb ainm Pico! Sadhbh Devlin writes award winning picturebooks. She lives in Co. Wicklow with her family and a naughty cat called Pico!
Olivia Hope
With over twenty years’ experience in education and arts facilitation, Olivia’s award-winning picture books encapsulate the great outdoors and adventures children have in everyday life.
