Athy bookweek 'a big success's

ATHY, 2 November: by Trish Whelan . Athy Community Library celebrated the annual National Children's Bookweek in style with a host of exciting activities and competitions providing fun and entertainment for all the children.

Programmes included making fabric books with textile artist Genevieve King; a dance performance/workshop 'The Magic of Dance' with Cathy O'Kennedy; children's author/artist Don Conroy had the large crowd enthralled with fun and stories as well as many drawings; the Voice workshop also proved popular with the youngsters. The library was packed to capacity when all age groups converged for the Puppet Show with Julie Rose McCormick.

Twelve teams took part in the annual inter-schools table quiz which catered for 5th and 6th classes (it was sponsored by Pettits). and it was a very close finish with Scoil Diarmada, Castledermot, emerging as the winners for the second year in a row. Team members were Fiona Dunne, Ciara O'Gorman, Emma Thorpe and Jack Germaine. Runners-up were Crookstown. Their team included Yvonne Rouse, Martin Doyle, Helen Mooney and Caoimhe O'Halloran. The team of Kevin Anthony, Angela Mahon, Elaine Tomlinson and Orla Willis from Moone National School finished in third place. Quiz Master was Pat Lonergan of the County Library Service.

The final day of activities also proved busy with Naas author Mae Leonard and a creative writing workshop. This was followed by an Arts and Crafts session. Margaret Wouters with help from a group of 20 children made teepees which now take pride of place in the childrens' library.

The afternoon ended on a high with prize-giving for Bookweek art competitions. The winner (Category One) in the design a poster 'Books are Magic' for 2nd, 3rd and 4th classes was Stephen Crosse of St Patrick's Boys NS; 2. Jonathan Fennell, also of St Patrick's; 3. Pat Fitzpatrick of Churchtown N.S.

In the Second category design a bookcover 'The Haunted Library' competition for 5th and 6th classes, the winner was Amy Mackey from Model School. 2nd Chiedza McClean also of Model School; 3. Catriona Lyons, Scoil Mhicil Naofa.

The staff of Athy Community library would like to thank those who supported and donated to the Childrens' Bookweek 2001. Their thanks also to the teachers and parents for supporting and encouraging the children to get involved.

©2001knn