Our 2011 Town of Books festival programme is here!

Friday 16 September

• Booksellers & book treasure trail: 2-6pm, free
• Schoolchildren’s event: ‘Something Fishy’ at the Graiguenamanagh Library, 10am free 
• Secondary schools debate: ‘The Paper Book Is Dead, Kindle is King’ The Scout Hall, 1pm, free
• Exhibitions in Graiguenamanagh Library, 1-5pm, free

‘Lifelines’ famous people on their favourite poems; on loan from The National Library

'Scriobh Leabhar' local children’s writings

‘Mapping Urban Ireland’: historic maps of towns &; cities

• Bookclub in the library, 7pm: come join the Graiguenamanagh bookclub for a bookish chat! Free
• One For The Road, original play by Graignamanagh writer Adrian Kavanagh. What college life is really like! Good laughs plus food for thought, but FYI: parental guidance; some adult language and themes. 8pm, Duiske Inn, €10
• Traditional music concert: 'Full Set' at medieval Duiske Abbey, 8.30pm, €15/€10 student, OAP, unwaged 
• (In association with www.FeileFreaney.net traditional music festival; also this weekend, so there'll be trad music events on through out!)

Saturday 17 September

• Booksellers & book treasure trail: 10am-6pm. Free
• Art at the Abbey: talented local artists and their works along Duiske Abbey, 10am-6pm, Free
• Exhibitions in Graiguenamanagh Library: (see Friday) Lifelines, Scriobh Leabhar, & Mapping Urban Ireland, 10am- 1.30 pm Free.
• Funky Kids river crafts workshop at 11a.m, followed by kiddie disco. 11am-1pm, Scout Hall, €3
• Shirley Lanigan, author of ‘100 Best Gardens in Ireland,’ and David Fitzgerald, Kilkenny mayor & Tidy Towns expert: If you’re a garden lover, or just love to see the beauty in our towns, come along and hear from the experts!  The Abbey Centre, 1pm; finish by walking through town and visiting one of Graig’s best gardens €5
  •  Michael D. Higgins, presidential candidate and author of ‘New and Selected Poems’: reading, talk & book signing, 3pm, Library, €5 Silaire Wood official opening by Michael D, 4pm
  • Tweet-up! Twitter & non-Twitter folks: meet up, hear a tale of the local area, chat, & enjoy a traditional pub! Free. 4.30pm, Murray's pub  
• Cookery Demonstration by local celebrity TV3 chef & author Edward Hayden. www.edwardentertains.com 

     8.30pm in the Abbey Centre. Free. There will also be a raffle at the demo- are you feeling lucky? :-)

Sunday 18 September

• Booksellers & book treasure trail: 10am-6pm. Free
• Rowing races on the river Barrow: 10am-12pm, Free
• Local food and craft fair: featuring the best of artisan items from Carlow and Kilkenny, including Helen Finnegan's award winning Knockdrinna Cheese, local GIYer's fresh produce, Edward Hayden's products, & LOTS more! 11am-5pm, off Main Street, €2
• Graiguenamanagh Brass Band: Ireland’s longest running brass band marching from Duiske Abbey at noon, to the craft & food market. Free
• Nature walk along the river & in Silaire Wood with Nicky O'Carroll. Meet at Boathouse, 1pm. Free. 
• Gary Quinn, Irish Times journalist and author of The Sea Road kayaking series: talk on his kayak adventures; for armchair & actual adventurers! With video clips, 2pm, The Scout Hall, €2

•     Jazz by the Boathouse with Four Square Jazz, 3pm. Free

• Circus street performance, The Square, 3pm. Treasure trail prizes draw after. Free
• Children’s circus skills workshop, 8-12yrs, 4pm, The Scout Hall, €5

 Questions?  Ask us, and find out more about events, the area, & other things bookish and fun by following us on Facebook: Ireland’s Town of Books Festival, and Twitter: @TownOfBooksFest www.booktownireland.com, and our blog www.irelandstownofbooks.blogspot.com

Email: info@booktownireland.com

The Graiguenamanagh Town of Books festival is part of the Kilkenny Community Festivals Network which comprises six festivals in county Kilkenny and is generously supported by KLP (Kilkenny Leader Partnership).