Dublin City Council invites people all over the city to take part in the annual One Dublin One Book campaign by reading the same book during the month of April. This year’s chosen title for One Dublin One Book, is Leonard and Hungry Paul by Rónán Hession (Bluemoose Books).
Dublin UNESCO City of Literature have put together a range of free online public events throughout the month of April which will see author Rónán Hession take part in public discussions, interviews and live webinars. Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic these events will take place online. Writers Donal Ryan and Alex Barclay, actor Emmet Kirwan and musician Brigid Mae Power all feature in the programme. Rónán Hession will also perform music from his three albums released under the name Mumblin’ Deaf Ro and discuss his move from music to writing. RTÉ Radio 1’s Book on One is delighted to be opening its forthcoming new season of books read on radio with Leonard and Hungry Paul by Rónán Hession produced by Clíodhna Ní Anluain.
Further details on these events are below and at this link www.onedublinonebook.ie/events
As part of One Dublin One Book, complimentary copies of the book will be distributed to health care workers via libraries in hospitals across Dublin, in a special initiative this year.
Hundreds of copies of Leonard and Hungry Paul have been purchased by Dublin City Libraries and will be available to borrow from all public libraries nationwide, through the free BorrowBox library app, and in hardcopy when libraries re-open to the public. The book is also available to listen to in audio format through BorrowBox. The new One Dublin One Book edition of Leonard and Hungry Paul is available to buy from all good book shops.
Videos of actor Johnny Ward reading extracts from the book will be released over the coming weeks. Watch the first one HERE
The programme was made possible thanks to funding by Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media.
Speaking about the One Dublin One Book initiative, author Rónán Hession said: “I am sincerely grateful and proud that Leonard and Hungry Paul has been chosen as this year’s One Dublin One Book. I would like to thank Dublin City Council for this great honour. I was born in Dublin and have lived and worked here all my life, so this means a lot to me. And of course, I have spent countless happy hours firing my imagination with the books I have borrowed from the wonderful libraries we have throughout Dublin. Leonard and Hungry Paul is a gentle book about two friends learning to engage with the world without becoming overwhelmed by it. I hope my fellow Dubliners find it a source of peace and enjoyment in the year ahead.”
Dublin City Librarian, Mairead Owens, added: “On behalf of Dublin City Libraries, I am delighted to have the opportunity of promoting this wonderful book by Rónán Hession. It reminds us all that life is precious and that there are many challenges facing us as we negotiate daily life. The book is uplifting and positive and gives comfort at this time. The book is a treasure and will hopefully encourage many more readers to seek refuge and sustenance from reading.”