Welcome

We thought turning ten was a big deal and what a party we had!!! But move over 2024, we have another truly magical programme of events to bring to you this May at Lismore Castle. We are so humbled by the incredible authors and illustrators who visit each year and this year we can’t wait for you to meet them. Chris Judge will be in Lismore to introduce you to Grandad, AKA Fearless Frank, a retired superhero duck. We’ll be joined by Vivian French who’ll tell us some fabulous fairytales. Come meet Pádraig Kenny and wonder what if the world was destroyed by AI – how would you survive? Get ready for a raucous, interactive session with the creator of the Mr Panda series, author/illustrator Steve Antony. Hang out with Sarah Bowie and Nina Peanut, who firmly believes that everyone should be interested in her SERIOUS and NOT-STUPID videos about potatoes with faces. If you ever wanted to know more about the world of chaotic character Milly McCarthy, Leona Forde and Karen Harte will be here to tell you all about it. And of course there’s Máire Zepf’s friend Meep, the hardest-working robot in the solar system.

There’s so much to see at the castle, throughout the town, in the forest, in the vegetable patch, amongst the flower beds, maybe even something flying above the courtyard! We have book fairies, book doctors, book signings, books in braille, a fantastical book shop… all the books you can dream of! There’s toe-tapping with Ceol Connected; an aerial show from Pitch’d Productions; Stories, Songs and Silliness with Pádraig in the Library; a trip around the garden with Sketch and Stroll and of course doodling EVERYWHERE. You can visit ChildVision in the East Wing Tower, creep around in the Dungeon, and don’t forget about the trusty Children’s Books Ireland Book Doctors who are at the ready in the Courtyard with your book prescription in English and as Gaeilge. Writing, drawing and storytelling sit at the heart of the adventure that awaits you!

Towers and Tales Festival has proved year after year to provide a magical and inspirational festival for young audiences with unforgettable creative experiences in celebration of books, stories and illustration. Come to be curious, be inspired and celebrate the wonderful world of books. And don’t forget to bring an empty backpack, because this year we’ve got loads of adventure to fill it with!

Elaina Ryan, Niamh Sharkey and Aisling Fitzgerald (Creative Team)