Children's Books Ireland

07/09/2026

📚The Best Irish Books of 2026📚

Children’s Books Ireland are proud to present our new reading guide for 2026. From débuts to our Laureates na nÓg, fiction, non-fiction, graphic novels and verse, it is a treasure trove of talent from the island of Ireland. Containing reviews of 100 books (+ an extra 100 Read Also recommendations), it is a showcase of some of Ireland’s best and brightest. With reviews in English and as Gaeilge, Best Irish Books has something for all readers aged 0-18!

Discover a great Irish book and download the guide now via the link below 🔗 or pick up a copy in participating libraries & bookshops.
https://childrensbooksireland.ie/news-events/back-books-reigniting-reading-fun-best-irish-titles-2026

📕🖌️ Grace Enemaku

24/07/2026

Tar ag obair linn: Oifigeach Gaeilge ☘️ 📖

Tá Oifigeach Gaeilge á lorg againn chun dul i mbun oibre dhá lá sa tseachtain, ag cur na Gaeilge chun cinn go hinmheánach agus ag déanamh maoirsiú ar na seirbhísí a chuireann an eagraíocht ar fáil trí mheán na Gaeilge. Beidh suim ag an iarratasóir a n-éireoidh leo i litríocht do pháistí agus eolas acu uirthi. Déanfaidh an té a n-éireoidh leo Straitéis na heagraíochta i leith na Gaeilge a fhorbairt agus a chur i bhfeidhm agus déanfaidh siad ceangail straitéiseacha leis an earnáil a fhorbairt. Oibreoidh siad leis an bhfoireann ar fad chun próifíl na Gaeilge a ardú, de réir acmhainní agus théarmaí tagartha na heagraíochta.

Tuilleadh eolais faoin ról seo ar fáil ón nasc ar ár leathanach 🔗

🗓️ Spriocdháta d’iarratais: Dé hAoine, 14 Lúnasa 2026

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Join the team: Irish Language Officer ☘️ 📖

We are seeking an Irish Language Officer to work two days per week, promoting the Irish language internally and overseeing the provision of the organisation’s services through the medium of Irish. The successful candidate will have an interest in and knowledge of children’s literature. They will inform the ongoing development and implementation of the organisation’s Irish Language Strategy and make strategic connections within the sector. They will work with the whole team to raise the profile of the Irish language, within the resources and remit of the organisation.

Discover more about this role by clicking the link in our bio 🔗

🗓️ Deadline for applications is Friday 14th August 2026

20/07/2026

Your first look at the line-up for the Children’s Books Ireland International Conference 2026 🤩

This year, we’re inviting our speakers to explore the theme of Power in their work. Through stories of courage, imagination, friendship and kindness, books help young readers understand who holds power, how it can be used responsibly, and how even the smallest voices can make a meaningful impact. We look forward to seeing how this theme drives the conversation over the weekend 💬

The Children’s Books Ireland International Conference 2026 takes place on the 19th and 20th September at the Light House Cinema, Smithfield.

Speakers:

Dapo Adeola
Flavia Z Drago
Emily Gravett
Chris Haughton
Paul Howard
Kelly McCaughrain
Shirley-Anne McMillan
Patrick Ness
Dr Melanie Ramdarshan Bold
Tristan Rosenstock
Josh Silver
Agnes Török
Áine Uí Fholghlú
Máire Zepf

+ New Voices

Weekend and day tickets available via the 🔗 below. Be sure to let us know who you’re looking forward to seeing in the comments!

https://childrensbooksireland.ie/news-events/childrens-books-ireland-international-conference-2026

The Children’s Books Ireland International Conference 2026 is supported by The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and is presented in partnership with the Lighthouse Cinema, Smithfield.

🖌️Artwork from Wolf Won’t Bite! copyright ©️ Emily Gravett 2018, published by Two Hoots Books .

18/05/2026

Presenting the winners of the KPMG Children's Books Ireland Awards 2026 🏆

A huge thank you to everyone that joined us today both in person and online. It was one for the books📚.

Click the link below for a recap on todays event! ⬇️
https://childrensbooksireland.ie/news-events/winners-kpmg-childrens-books-ireland-awards-2026

Our thanks to lead sponsors, KPMG Ireland, for their support and continued commitment to the artists and young readers of Ireland. To The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon & Arts Council of Northern Ireland, our venue hosts International Literature Festival Dublin and of course our host with the most Rick O'Shea, thank you!

11/05/2026

We are delighted to officially announce Chris Haughton as the eighth Laureate na nÓg 👏.

Today, we are delighted to announce author and illustrator Chris Haughton as the new Laureate na nÓg 🎉

Chris was appointed to the position at a special ceremony at The Ark, Dublin attended by Uachtarán na hÉireann / President of Ireland Catherine Connolly.

Speaking as the new Laureate na nÓg, Chris said: "I am absolutely thrilled and honoured to be the eighth Laureate na nÓg. As a child I always loved drawing and reading and creating stories with my friends. That has never left me, and it has led me to become an illustrator. Now in this new role as Laureate, I hope to share that same love of creating stories to a new generation of children."

A multi-award-winning children’s author from Dublin, Chris Haughton will hold the title from now until 2029, taking up the position from the outgoing Laureate, Patricia Forde.

➡️ Read more: https://artscouncil.ie/news/celebrated-author-and-illustrator-chris-haughton-announced-as-the-arts-councils-new-laureate-na-nog/

Laureate na nÓg is an initiative of The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon, administered by Children's Books Ireland with the support of Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Department of Children, Disability and Equality.

By honouring an artist of exceptional talent and commitment, Laureate na nÓg champions and celebrates literature for children and young people, inspiring generations of writers, illustrators and readers.

📷 Peter Guenzel