Children’s Books of Mayo map launched
Pictured at the launch of the Children's Books of Mayo Map were, from left: illustrator Melanie Whelan; Natalia Pestova and Rachel Rose, Mayo Local Area Integration Team; Anna Livia Cullinan, Mayo County Council; Maeve Clancy, author; Austin Vaughan, County Librarian; Keira Keogh TD; Joanne Grehan, Mayo County Council Director of Services; executive librarian Darina Mulloy and author Margaret Talbot. Picture: Alison Laredo
Over 300 children, families, authors, and artists gathered at the National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park on Saturday, June 7th, to celebrate the launch of the Children’s Books of Mayo Map as part of Cruinniú na nÓg. The event was a joyful celebration of storytelling, creativity, and the rich literary landscape of Mayo.
Children immersed themselves in a vibrant programme of activities designed to spark imagination and connect young readers with local stories. A surprise visit from the bumblebee character from added to the excitement.
Highlights included art workshops with Maeve Clancy and Anthony D. Kelly; Islands of Imagination exhibition and activity station, curated by Melanie Whelan; story readings by Nicola Lavelle, Gráinne Bear, Alex from Alex the Apple, Anne Printer, and Shelly O'Neill; science experiments by Eva Naughton and Aidan Gilmore, based on their book interactive activity station with colouring book and worksheets from ; Leaf Bingo, inspired by ; colouring activities from Watchman of Westport; prizes from the Jack and Adam series by Anthony Broderick.
At the ribbon-cutting ceremony, senior executive librarian Darina Molloy spoke about the importance of children having access to stories that are rooted in the places they live. Illustrator Melanie Whelan, who created the map, shared insights into her creative process, explaining how she aimed to surround the books with Mayo’s landscapes.
“We’re very lucky to live in a county with both a National Museum and a National Park,” she noted.
The event concluded with a performance by pupils from Castlebar Primary School, who presented three original songs inspired by , supported by their teacher Ms Mulligan and artist Sharon Ní Chuilibín.
Mayo TD Keira Keogh added: “We are incredibly fortunate to have such a wealth of talent in Mayo dedicated to children’s literature. The map is a fantastic resource for families and schools, inspiring both a love of reading and a sense of adventure through local stories.”
The Children's Books of Mayo Map celebrates the magic of storytelling rooted in County Mayo. It features over 50 children’s books written by Mayo authors, illustrated by Mayo artists, or inspired by the county’s landscapes, people, and rich cultural heritage. From picture books to graphic novels, in both Irish and English, these stories reflect the creativity and imagination that thrive in our communities.
The project invites children and families to discover new favourite books; visit their local library; explore the places that inspired these stories and unleash their own creativity.
The initiative is led by Mayo County Library and Mayo County Council’s Culture and Creativity Team, with support from the Local Area Integration Team in organising the launch.
Mayo County Council’s Creative Communities Engagement Officer Anna Livia Cullinan reflected: “It was a pleasure to work on this map and thanks to the incredible effort from authors, illustrators, local bookshops, and publishers. We look forward to finding more ways to celebrate the richness of children’s literature in Mayo.”
The Children’s Books of Mayo Map was made possible through Creative Ireland funding and is available at local libraries across the county. This is a limited print run, so early collection is advised to avoid disappointment.
