Ireland Reads Day is more than a date on the cultural calendar - it's a nationwide invitation to celebrate the joy of reading.
Ahead of this year's Dr Stuart Hamilton, Head of Libraries Development with the Local Government Management Agency, introduces this year's installment, which takes place on Saturday, February 28th.
Ireland Reads Day arrives each year as a gentle reminder - an invitation, really - to pause, breathe, and reconnect with the simple pleasure of reading. And for many people, that reminder couldn't come at a better time. Life moves quickly, our attention is endlessly pulled in new directions, and what was once a comforting daily habit can quietly slip from our lives without us even noticing.
But reading never closes its door on you - and neither do your public libraries.
Our latest Ireland Reads research, based on almost 2,000 people nationwide, paints an encouraging picture of a country where reading remains woven into everyday life. A remarkable 93% of adults engage in some form of reading regularly, from news to novels. Perhaps most striking is Ireland’s enduring love of the printed book: 65% of adults still prefer reading in print, far ahead of ebooks or audiobooks. There is clearly something about a physical book — the weight of it, the turning of pages — that continues to ground us in a digital world.
The research also confirms what many of us instinctively understand: reading is a wellbeing activity. When asked how a good book makes them feel, people most often described feeling relaxed (63%) and happy and content (58%). Many spoke of learning something new (32%), feeling inspired or motivated (31%), or experiencing the sense of "a holiday in another world" (27%). In an always-on society, these aren’t small things — they are vital supports for our emotional and mental health.
Of course, wanting to read and managing to read are not always the same. Half of adults (50%) say a lack of time stops them from reading more, and one in three (27%) acknowledge that mobile phones pull their attention away — especially younger adults (38%). If you recognise yourself in that, you’re not alone. Ireland Reads Day is the perfect moment to gently reset the habit.
So how do you begin again?
Start small. Five minutes counts. One page counts. A poem, a short story, the first chapter of something new — it all counts. Reading is not a performance or a target to be hit; it can simply be a quiet moment to yourself. Try pairing reading with a part of your day that already exists: a morning coffee, a commute, the few minutes before bed. Audiobooks can keep you company while walking, cooking, or doing the school run. And remember: it is absolutely fine to put down a book that isn’t for you. Curiosity, not obligation, is the key to falling back in love with reading.
And if you’re unsure where to start, your local library — one of Ireland’s 330 public branches — is ready to help. Librarians meet readers at every stage, from the lifelong devotee to the person picking up a book for the first time in years. They can guide you toward genres you might never have tried, authors you’ll connect with instantly, or stories that fit around your busy life. Whether you love print, prefer ebooks, or need audiobooks on the go, libraries offer it all. Membership is free, borrowing is free, and there are no late fees to worry about.
This Ireland Reads Day (Feb 28th), consider opening the door to reading again. Visit your library, ask for a recommendation, browse the shelves, or simply follow your curiosity. A good book is waiting — and it’s never too late to find your way back. See irelandreads.ie for more details.
Find out more about Ireland Reads Day here
