The launch of a community reading festival entitled “Try the Twits- A Northside Story” took place on 20th April 2010 in Watch House Cross Library. Deputy Mayor of Limerick, Cllr. Michael Hourigan and limerick’s most prolific reader Josephine Loughlin were present to do the honours.
Also present was local actor, director and playwrite, Myles Breen who read an extract from the book to the amusement of the schoolchildren and adults present. Juan Carlos Azzopardi, Chairperson of the Northside Local Education Committee who are spearheading the initiative, outlined the aim and actions of the festival.
Over the next month the communities of Moyross and St. Munchin’s will be at the centre of one of the biggest local book club in the world when 7,500 people across the two parishes will come together to read Roald Dahl’s book “The Twits”.
Supporting the project are Munster Rugby and squad members including local icon Keith Earls will take time from their Heineken Cup preparations to join in with the school children of Moyross and St. Munchin’s and take part in family reading sessions and story telling groups. The project running over four weeks in April and May will encourage everyone from 4 to 94 years across the Northside to read the one book.
“We are hoping that parents, grandparents and children will all join in and read the book together. We picked the book because it appeals to all ages” said Hilary Pratt, home school liaison teacher, St. Munchin’s Girls School and one of the organisers of the event.
All schools on the Northside; Salesian’s Secondary, St. Nessan’s CC, St. Munchin’s CBS, St. Munchin’s GNS, St. Lelia’s and Corpus Christi Primary as well as various community groups and after schools clubs are involved.
To raise awareness of the Festival 2,000 wristbands with the logo "Try the Twits" are been worn by young and old and special offers are available to wearers who attend Bingo in the Community Centre next Tuesday and Pool tournaments in the Bays during the Festival. Cllr. Hourigan was presented with a wristband by Callum Nihill, Corpus Christi School and Stacey Falvey, St. Munchin’s Girls NS.
‘The Twits’ will be distributed to each household in the community including Moyross, Ballynanty, Kileely and Thomondgate and 1,500 books have been delivered.. An activity book corresponding with the book has been designed and will be distributed also.
Over the 4 weeks, each pupil will complete their workbook both at home and at school. In school, they will do art projects, colouring competitions, poster designing competitions, games and other creative activities which relate to the book. In addition, it is envisaged that there will be family table quizzes, family reading sessions and storytelling groups. All those who return their workbooks will be entered into a draw for prizes at the end of the project. The festival will finish with an art exhibition and drama.
Limerick’s Most Avid Reader Lives in Moyross
Moyross resident, Josephine Loughlin, Dalgaish Park, is officially Limerick City’s most avid reader according to official records of Limerick City Library. Josephine has borrowed more books than any body else in the history of Limerick City Library and over the last 25 years has taken out and read over 4,000 books. This is an average of 3 books a week.
Before the library opened in Watch House Cross she travelled by bus from Moyross twice a week to Pery Square and then the Granary to visit the library and since the new library opened at Watch House Cross has a much shorter journey to make.
Now in her 80’s she still reads 3-4 books a week and is delighted to see the Reading Festival “Try the Twits” promoting reading and the use of the library. Josephine continues to visit twice a week at least and apart from the library service has an extensive collection of her own books.
