Cork County Council’s Library and Arts Service is proud to join libraries across Ireland in celebrating ‘Ireland Reads’, a national campaign to get the whole country reading during February, culminating with ‘Ireland Reads Day’ on Saturday, 28th February.

The campaign, which is part of the government’s Healthy Ireland programme, celebrates and promotes the many benefits of reading for wellbeing and enjoyment. The theme for 2026 is ‘Get Lost in a Good Book’, and Cork County Council’s Library and Arts Service is inviting everyone in County Cork to take part.

Exciting events are planned for all ages to celebrate reading, books, and literature right in their local communities. 
To celebrate Ireland Reads, Cork County Council’s Library and Arts Service will be hosting the following events:

  • Author visits include Róisín Meaney (Mallow), Cónal Creedon (Bantry), and Billy O’Callaghan (Carrigaline).
  • Children’s authors visits.
  • Non-fiction author Bill Power is on the programme for Youghal. He will give a talk on the ‘River Blackwater’.
  • Craft workshops on Book Binding will take place in Midleton and Cobh.
  • A talk by HSE psychologist on the benefits of reading in Kinsale.
  • Seanchaí Yoga sessions at Mitchelstown and Bandon.

There will be many more events happening in libraries across the county, from story times, coffee mornings to rediscover the joy of reading over a coffee or tea, book clinics, book trees, staff recommended reads, adult and juvenile reading challenges, one-to-one information sessions on library resources, to puzzles and games. Local libraries in Cork want to show you their many cosy reading spaces so whether you’re a lifelong reader or just rediscovering the joy of books, there’s a place or event for you.