Two weeks ago we took part in a brand new children’s book festival – Towers and Tales at Lismore Castle, Waterford. Only getting around to blogging about it now so I’ll keep it short and mostly visual! We arrived on Friday and basically ran around taking photos…

Our bedroom in the tower!

Still our bedroom…

view from the tower

Sarah McIntyre in her tower bedroom

other view from the tower- River Blackwater

Got up next morning and all the illustrators went out and drew on the Waterford library bus… (click for close ups- promise it’s worth it!)

Sarah McIntyre meets Chris Riddell meets Michael Emberly

I went scary bird…some Sarah McIntyre critters and a Chris Riddell ogre

Scary bird, Sarah McIntyre’s Jampire and co., and a load of cuddly monsters from Chris Riddell

Michael’s Gatto falls for a Hugglemonster (drawn by Norton)

Kids attended story-telling in English and as Gaeilge, did monster doodles with Niamh (Sharkey), made books, and pictures with folks from IGI, made hats and sharks with Sarah McIntyre, attended talks by Philip Ardagh, Chris Riddell, Darren Shan and Shane Hegarty. I ran a writing workshop with a group of talented teens in the local library and did a panel talk about getting published for adults in the Red Hall. There was a mini food market in one of the courtyards and the sun split the stones all day.

Gruffalo in the castle!

Elaina, Sarah Webb and myself under the book tree

Talk on how to get published

Chris Riddell talks to illustrators

art made by kids during the day

These photos don’t really show it, but at least 1200 folk came through the castle gates. ONE THOUSAND TWO HUNDRED!!!

Afterwards we had afternoon tea…

All the speakers and the dozens of volunteers who made the day happen sit down to tea, hosted by William and Laura

…took more photos of the castle and each other… (mouse over for names of authors and illustrators)

This is what a castle-full of children’s book folk looks like! Michael is chatting to our hostess, Laura Burlington.

Philip Ardagh looking very happy with a bottle of whiskey!

Michael having a difficult time relaxing…not.

Chris Riddell and Sarah McIntyre sketching under a tapestry. As you do.

Michael drawing the castle. He filled the sky with cloud dragons…

La di da.

Chris Riddell, Philip Ardagh, Sarah McIntyre and Elaina Ryan

Niamh Sharkey, Darren Shan, Darren’s wife, Bas

William Burlington and Norton Virgien

It was a weekend in the Castle of Adventure, complete with cream scones and loads and loads of BOOK STUFF! All dreamed up by Niamh Sharkey, William Burlington, Elaina Ryan (CBI) and Maura O’ Keefe a year ago when Lismore Castle hosted the Pictiur exhibition for a month. And, maybe, next year it will happen all over again. If you are invited, I recommend you say yes!

Niamh, Owen, Oscar, Meghan, Archie Kimpton &his partner, Aoibhe, Michael