Young people in Cork will be among those receiving 2,500 free books this Culture Night, thanks to the Arts Council’s Read Mór initiative in partnership with Jigsaw, the National Centre for Youth Mental Health.
The books gifted as part of Read Mór are all by Irish or Irish-based authors and are selected in consultation with literature experts. At Jigsaw Cork, young people will have the chance to enjoy works by local authors Molly Twomey (Chic to be Sad); Colm Ó Ceallacháin (Fiche) and Seán Ronayne (Nature Boy – A Journey of Birdsong and Belonging).
Read Mór was launched by the Arts Council in 2022 as a Culture Night initiative to bring the joy of reading to people who may not be able to participate in live events. In 2025, the initiative is delivered in partnership with Jigsaw, a leading national youth mental health organisation that provides free, expert mental health support and advice to young people aged 12–25.
On Culture Night, Read Mór events will take place at 6 Jigsaw centres nationwide, offering young people an opportunity to celebrate reading in a positive, supportive environment.
“It’s fantastic having young people involved with Read Mór this year,” Edel Connolly, a Youth Advocate with Jigsaw, said. “As a young person, I think it’s so important to encourage other young people to pick up reading as a hobby for their mental wellbeing. Reading is such an amazing way to get lost in a fictional world where your worries don’t exist and to inspire young people to express themselves in a healthy and creative way.”
