Speech by President Connolly to Announce the 8th Laureate na nÓg
The Ark, Dublin, 11 May 2026
A Chairde Uaisle,
Tá mé fíor-shásta a bheith i bhur gcomhluadar ar maidin chun Ochtú Laureate na nÓg a fhógairt. Ba mhaith liom buíochas a ghabháil le Maura McGrath, Cathaoirleach na Comhairle Ealaíon as ucht an chuiridh.
Tá ról thar a bheith tábhachtach ag Laureate na nÓg i saol cultúrtha na hÉireann agus dualgas air nó uirthi páistí a mhealladh chuig domhan draíochtúil na leabhar, na léitheoireachta agus na samhlaíochta.
It is fitting that we are here in the Ark, Ireland’s custom-build, dedicated cultural centre for children – the first of its kind in Europe. Over 3 decades since the doors opened for the first time, children who visited in the early days are now visiting as parents with their own children, to enjoy art designed specifically for them.
Since the establishment of Laureate na nÓg in 2010, to-date seven writers and illustrators of exceptional talent and commitment to children’s literature, in Irish or English, have received this honour. I think it’s important to name those, from the beginning: Siobhán Parkinson, Niamh Sharkey, Eoin Colfer, PJ Lynch, Sarah Crossan, Áine Ní Ghlinn and Patricia Forde, and I know that some of you are here today – go raibh míle maith agaibh.
The selection process itself is worthy of note. Nominations were sought from 200 arts organisations, bookshops, libraries, writers and illustrators. The Laureate was then chosen by an esteemed selection panel, including two young readers, which is very important.
Having successfully navigated that process, the Laureate has both the privilege and the responsibility to use his or her term to engage and inspire children, young people and the community through literature.
During their term, each Laureate has brought their own unique stamp to the role, aiming to engage and inspire children and to encourage a love of reading. From the outgoing Laureate, Patricia Forde’s, Whole Wild World Bus Tour to The Big Picture by PJ Lynch, the laureates’ projects capture the alchemy that occurs with the wonderful collaboration between artists and children.
Ceann de na tograí is suntasaí a tugadh faoi le roinnt blianta anuas nó An Bosca Leabharlainne a bhí mar thionscnamh de chuid Áine Ní Ghlinn le linn a réime mar Laureate na n-Óg. Cuireadh bosca de leabhair Ghaeilge chuig níos mó ná 1,000 bunscoil ar fud na tíre rud a chur rogha ábhar suimiúil agus tarraingteach ar fáil do pháistí chun iad a spreagadh dul i mbun léamh i nGaeilge.
Helping a child to discover a love of reading is a lifelong gift. At a time when book ownership among young people is in stark decline, and approximately 1 in 5 adults in Ireland struggle with understanding basic written text, the importance of championing this art form cannot be understated.
Books are portals to other worlds, inviting the reader on a journey of imagination where the possibilities are truly endless. On this journey, the reader can encounter words and concepts that are new to them, which may in turn spark an idea, or give them the language to describe or understand something for which they might not have had the vocabulary, or indeed the capacity. They can witness the growth of a character or ponder an alternative reality – a better world. They can explore their own fears and emotions in a safe way. Children’s books are complete universes in themselves, an art form that stands alone.
Mealltar an léitheoir nó an t-éisteoir óg isteach i ndomhan draíochtúil, domhan atá rúnda agus pearsanta don té atá ag léamh nó ag éisteacht ach ag an am céanna domhan ina ndéantar plé agus scagadh ar chuile shórt ábhar ar bhealach atá feiliúnach don pháiste.
Indeed, in opening up this wonderful world of literature, libraries play a central role. Libraries are an indispensable source for an informed and open society. They stand as places of welcome, learning and belonging.
In many parts of the world, access to information is contested, and at times, restricted and in that context libraries assume great importance. They represent a commitment to truth and uphold the principle that knowledge should and must be available to all.
Agus anois, nóiméad na cinniúna, is cúis áthais dom Ochtú Laureate na nÓg, Chris Haughton, a fhógairt go poiblí. Ba mhaith liom tréaslú leat, Chris, as ucht do chuid cruthaitheachta agus do chuid samhlaíochta a roinnt go fial flaithiúil agus go cúramach le do chuid léitheoirí óga.
Chris, the joy you get from making art is what brought you to the world of children’s literature, and this joy jumps off the pages of your books. You once mentioned that the way to encourage a love for reading is to share the books that you love to read yourself, as it is infectious. Fun is inspiring, and creativity begets more creativity.
A self-described “designer who has gotten into writing,” your innovative use of collage to create your characters is mirrored in the layering of meaning in your stories. For example, in Oh No George, there is a gentle exploration of the consequences of living out our desires. In A Bit Lost, the reader is invited to safely explore the feeling of being separated from their mother, and the joy of making friends and finding their way home. This story references Robinson Crusoe, and in particular the idea that it is often in the absence of something that we can understand its true value.
Ar ndóigh ní mór dom a rá gur léigh mé an leabhar seo i nGaeilge agus chuir sé gliondar ar mo chroí. I read that book in Irish and it absolutely lifted my spirits, and in that context it is important to say that Chris’s books have been translated into 35 languages and that is some achievement.
Guím gach rath ort i do ról nua, Chris, tá mé cinnte go mbeidh léitheoirí óga na tíre, faoi mar atá mise, ag tnúth go mór do thréimhse mar Laureate.
Ba mhaith liom buíochas ó chroí a ghabháil leis an gComhairle Ealaíon as an tacaíocht leanúnach agus riachtanach a thugann sibh do litríocht na bpáistí agus sibh ag cinntiú go bhfuil teacht ag páistí na hÉireann ar rogha leathan leabhar a spreagfaidh síolta na samhlaíochta iontu. Síolta agus iad ag bláthú a thabharfaidh faoiseamh agus misneach dóibh.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh.