Patricia Forde announced as Ireland’s seventh Laureate na nÓg
1st June, 2023
Patricia Forde was announced as the seventh Laureate na nÓg, Ireland’s Children’s Literature Laureate today (Friday 29 May) at a special event at the Arts Council. An award-winning children’s author from Galway, Forde will hold the title from now until 2026, taking up the position from the outgoing Laureate, Áine Ní Ghlinn.
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. It is an initiative of the Arts Council, administered by Children’s Books Ireland with the support of the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Patricia Forde writes for all ages in Irish and in English. She has published over 20 titles, including her award-winning first novel, ‘The Wordsmith’. A former primary school teacher, Patricia is also a former Director of the Galway Arts Festival. She co-founded the Baboró International Arts Festival for Children in Galway in the mid-1990s; a world-class festival, based on the child’s right to culture. She is the former Chair of Children’s Books Ireland.
Prof. Kevin Rafter, Chair of the Arts Council/An Chomhairle Ealaíon, said: “Laureate na nÓg is the highest honour that can be awarded to a children’s writer or illustrator in Ireland. The role celebrates children’s literature and its contribution to cultural life and most critically seeks to connect children and young people with books and the joys of reading. I am delighted that a writer of the calibre of Patricia Forde is Ireland's seventh Laureate. Her writing for children and young people is original and thought-provoking while her picture books for younger readers are captivating. I have no doubt that she will inspire a new generation of readers and writers in her role as Laureate over the next three years.”
Speaking as the new Laureate na nÓg, Patricia Forde said: “I’m delighted and honoured to be the seventh Laureate na nÓg and I look forward to bringing books and reading to children and young people all over the country for the next three years.
“My theme, ‘Samhlaigh, Samhlaigh! Making It Up As We Go Along’ is all about creativity and using imagination to enrich our lives. Creativity has been important to me throughout my life, and I feel strongly that children need this life skill now more than ever. Books are the fuel of imagination, and every child should have access to wonderful stories and the very best of children’s literature.”
Liam Hannaway, Arts Council of Northern Ireland Chair, commented: “The appointment of Patricia Forde as Laureate na nÓg is welcome news. During her time in this important role, Patricia will act as an ambassador for children's writing, inspiring a new generation of readers and writers to open up their imaginations to new stories, poems, concepts and ideas. Laureate na nÓg is a unique honour, strengthening opportunities for young people across the island of Ireland to engage in high quality children's literature.”
Patricia’s latest book, The Girl Who Fell to Earth, will be published by Little Island Books in June 2023.
ENDS
About Patricia Forde
‘The Wordsmith’, was published to great critical acclaim in 2014. It has won a White Raven Award from the International Youth Library, is an American Library Association Notable Book for Children in the United States, and was shortlisted for the Children’s Books Ireland Book of the Year Awards in Ireland (now the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards).
In 2019, her book ‘Bumpfizzle, the Best on Planet Earth’ was chosen as the Dublin UNESCO Citywide Read 2019. In 2020 she published a picture book in both English and Irish about Hy-Breasal (‘To the Island’/An tOileán Thiar) with Little Island Books which was commissioned to celebrate Galway’s 2020 City of Culture designation, and which was given for free to children all over Galway. For Culture Night 2020 the story was made into a short video featuring the book’s illustrations by Nicola Bernardelli and an original score by Anna Mullarkey.
Patricia is an experienced facilitator of workshops, talks and reading activities for children and young people, and is part of the Poetry Ireland Writers in Schools programme. Patricia also writes for television and delivers screenwriting workshops to older children.
