Dhonnagáin and Smyth appointed Irish Book Week ambassadors as celebration dates revealed

Bookselling Ireland, the committee of Booksellers Association members representing bookshops from across Ireland, together with Publishing Ireland, have announced plans for Irish Book Week 2023. The celebration will take place from Saturday 14th October to Saturday 21st October 2023.

Now in its sixth year, Irish Book Week is a nationwide celebration of Irish bookshops, Irish books, publishers, writers, illustrators, and poets. The campaign aims to encourage people from across Ireland to visit their local bookshops to discover events, readings, parties and displays.

Bookselling Ireland also revealed that the artwork for this year’s campaign was produced by children’s illustrator and author, Ashwin Chacko, who was also appointed campaign ambassador. Joining Chacko as ambassadors this year are author Courtney Smyth, writer, musician and publisher, Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin and consultant endocrinologist and author Dr Mary Ryan.

Dawn Behan, chair of Bookselling Ireland, said: “We are every happy to announce the dates for our 2023 campaign and to reveal our campaign artwork by the talented, Ashwin Chacko. We are also delighted to announce details of our fantastic 2023 campaign ambassadors, and we look forward to the exciting events and activities that are to come to celebrate Irish Book Week this October.”

Speaking about Irish Book Week, Caoimhe Fox, president of Publishing Ireland, commented: “Irish Book Week is an important and welcome opportunity to showcase Irish books and writers. Working with our colleagues in Bookselling Ireland and across the sector, we look forward to engaging with, and supporting, this year’s campaign.

"The Irish book industry is vibrant, and initiatives such as this help to secure its future growth through recognition and celebration across the country."