Galway’s Patricia Forde, whose books include the award-winning Wordsmith, is Ireland’s new Laureate na nÓg, or Laureate for Children’s Literature. She will hold the title until 2026, having taken over the role from outgoing Laureate, Áine Ní Ghlinn.

City-woman Patricia, a former Artistic Director of Galway Arts Festival and of Baboró Children’s Arts Festival, who began her working life as a primary teacher, was named laureate on Monday at a special event at the Arts Council.

Laureate na nÓg champions and celebrates literature for children and young people, inspiring future writers, illustrators and readers. This Arts Council initiative which honours “an artist of exceptional talent and commitment”, is administered by Children’s Books Ireland supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

Patricia, who has published more than 20 books, including 2014’s The Wordsmith, writes for young people of all ages, in Irish and in English. The Wordsmith won a White Raven Award from the International Youth Library, it’s an American Library Association Notable Book for Children in the US and it was shortlisted for the Children’s Books Ireland Book of the Year Award.

For more, read this week’s Galway City Tribune.

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