'One Limerick, One Book' initiative expected in 2026

LIMERICK looks set to introduce a ‘One County, One Book’ initiative following a motion from Cllr Shane Hickey-O’Mara.

The scheme, which has taken place around the country will aim to get book-loving Limerick people to read and discuss the same book or a series of pieces depending on age and profile.

Cllr Hickey-O’Mara raised the possibility at this month’s metropolitan district meeting.

County librarian Damien Brady said he'd support the idea, and said would be open to holding it in 2026 to allow a decent lead-in time.

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The Social Democrats councillor said: "When I was a student, I worked in O’Mahony’s on O’Connell Street and for a time while working there I led one of their children’s book clubs. This was a real highlight of the job with the best bit being when one of the kids mentioned a book that they loved (or even a book that they hated) and suddenly the kids would become really
animated with cries of “I read it too” or “it’s my favourite book” or “It was so stupid, I hated such and such” etc. It was incredible to see how excited they got at having a book in common! Years later, when I ran County Limerick Youth Theatre, we marked World Book Week every year with the young people bringing in their favourite books and performing excerpts for the rest of the group. Just like the O’Mahoney’s book club kids, they lit up when someone had brought in the same book as them or when they had previously read it. It was an annual highlight and it was always difficult to get the young people to stop discussing their books and go home at the end of the workshop."

He pointed out that Dublin has celebrated One City, One Book since 2006, and it has been in Cork for the last eight years.

"I believe it’s high time that Limerick followed suit. Limerick has a rich literary history with a vast array of prolific authors including Roisin Meaney, Blindboy, Helena Close, Donal Ryan, Marian Keyes, Paul Lynch, Frank McCourt, and Judi Curtin being strongly associated with the city through birth or residence," said Cllr Hickey-O'Mara, who is the son of the librarian.

Mr Brady said: "This is a very worthwhile initiative".

His motion also secured the support of Cllrs Olivia O'Sullivan and Ursula Gavan.