A book club initiative for adults with Down syndrome is being rolled out in libraries across the country following a successful start in Naas, Co Kildare.
Book club members Kim O'Kelly and Niamh Flannery, both of whom who have Down syndrome, helped found the club in Naas, working alongside Down Syndrome Ireland.
Sinéad Flynn, Adult Education Officer at Down Syndrome Ireland, said that the idea for the book club came while she was looking for ways for adults with Down syndrome to maintain their literacy skills, as well as becoming more a part of the community.
"The idea came during the pandemic. I was walking with my friend Eileen, who works in Kildare libraries, and we were thinking maybe we might try a book club.
"So when things started opening up, we began the first book club in April 2022."
With the help of Kim and Niamh, work got under way to build book clubs for adults with the condition and also deliver training to library staff members.
Whenever Ms Flynn delivers training to library staff, she co-delivers it with an adult with Down syndrome.
"So Kim sat down with Niamh and myself and we trashed our ideas out," Ms Flynn said.
"They advised me on every single area of it, because really it's the adults with Down syndrome who are experts in this area."
There are currently six libraries around the country that have the book clubs, and approximately 20 other libraries have expressed an interest in setting up clubs as well.
Kim, who is from Rathangan in Co Kildare, said that she took part in setting up the book club because she thought that it was a good opportunity to have one in Naas.
For her, being in a book club has meant that she has been able to explore her love of reading, as well as spend quality time with her friends.
"I love reading because it's really good for the brain and I think everyone should read every day," she says.
"It's also sociable with my friends and I get to meet my friends. I get to read and I get to have a chat and a catch up."
Friendship is something that staff at Naas library have witnessed evolving since the first book club meeting in April of last year.
Andrea Dermody, who works as a facilitator of the book club at the library alongside Catherine Mackey, says that the book club has almost turned into a social event for the members.
"The first meeting was quiet, and we had to draw a lot out of the members," she said. "But now it's getting them to stop talking and go home after the hour. It's wonderful.
"We had one girl who has been out, she missed a couple of months due to illness, and she arrived back recently to hugs and cheers. So that was wonderful to see."
Kim says she would recommend that adults with Down syndrome join a book club, saying that there are so many good things about being a part of such a club.
"That's why I turned up to this book club," she said. "And more people have joined recently. It was a good feeling, a good memory and I will treasure it forever."
