Woodbine wins grant for community initiative idea

Louisa Earls, manager of Books Upstairs, Dublin, with broadcaster Rick O’Shea to announce the winners of the Books at One Community Fund.

Woodbine Books in Kilcullen has secured a grant from the Books At One Community Fund, following a national call for submissions to deliver interesting and innovative community initiatives, writes Brian Byrne. The grant, of up to €5,000, comes from a €100,000 fund being disbursed among 21 independent bookstores around Ireland.

The fund was launched to support independent bookshop owners in helping bring creative ways to connect with their local communities, which can include cultural events, youth workshops, or storytelling festivals. Woodbine Books is the only County Kildare bookshop to be awarded a 2025 grant.

"We believe the power of a bookshop goes far beyond bookshelves and look forward to seeing how these ideas come to life across the country,” says Eoghan Stack, Chairperson of The One Foundation, which is supporting the initiative.

The winning ideas will be brought to life over the coming months across towns and cities.

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