In April 2024, Patricia brought a bus full of the very best Irish children’s authors and illustrators for a trip down the Wild Atlantic Way, from Donegal all the way to Cork.
The bus stopped at schools, libraries and bookshops, working with young readers to imagine new worlds in words and pictures.
‘I want to bring together my two favourite groups of people – the children of Ireland, and the writers and illustrators we have in such abundance – to shape new stories, and share old ones. Simply put, we’re bringing books and their creators to an audience that doesn’t often get a chance to meet them. The spark for a new story is never very far away, and with the Whole Wild World Bus Tour, we’re hoping to bring it that little bit closer.’
– Patricia Forde, Laureate na nÓg
The theme for Patricia Forde’s laureateship, Samhlaigh! Samhlaigh! Making it Up as We Go Along, seeks to spark wild creativity across the country – bringing children and artists together to inspire one another, to imagine new worlds, and most of all, to have fun along the way.
The Whole Wild World bus tour route included:
Malin – Creeslough – Gaoth Dobhair – Glenties – Killybegs – Manorhamilton – Sligo – Easky – Belmullet – Newport – Louisburgh – Westport – Leenane – Na Forbacha – Galway City – Ennistymon – Limerick City – Tralee – Cloghane – Kilorglin – Cahersiveen – Kenmare – Bantry – Schull – Skibbereen – Sherkin Island – Kinsale
A documentary about the tour was produced by Piquant media and will be screened in 2025.
