dlr Scéal Trail - a new outdoor reading experience from dlr Libraries

As part of Children’s Book Festival 2020, dlr libraries are delighted to announce the launch of dlr Scéal Trail a brand new, exciting outdoor reading initiative launching Thursday 22 October, and supported by the Creative Ireland Programme.

What is dlr Scéal Trail?

dlr Scéal Trail is an outside story walk that everyone can enjoy! A scéal trail or story walk is a book delivered in an exhibition format that you can follow, from beginning to end, as you walk with your family or friends.

What’s the story?

Our very first Scéal Trail is a beautiful book written by Sadhbh Devlin, the dlr Writer in Residence 2019-2020; written during her residency and created on the top floor of dlr LexIcon! Geansaí Ottó is a wonderful story, illustrated by Roisin Hahessy. It follows a little mouse boy called Ottó on a journey he makes through a forest path towards his grandmother, who loves to knit beautiful gifts for him. Otto really dislikes these hand-knitted woolly jumpers and decides he is going to tell his grandmother so as he sets off into the woods. We will let you follow the dlr Scéal Trail to find out what happens next! Geansaí Ottó is written in Irish but we will have English translations to make the Scéal Trail bilingual and accessible for all.

Why a Scéal Trail?

To encourage reading in an outdoor setting

To promote the use of books beyond the confines of our library spaces

To promote the use of Gaeilge for all readers

To advertise the dlr Writer in Residence Programme and to showcase the great work the residency gives possibility to

To encourage intergenerational engagement where parents, children, grandparents, siblings and friends can engage together with a book

Where can you find dlr Scéal Trail?

The first dlr Libraries Scéal Trail will be outside dlr LexIcon, Dún Laoghaire, on the walkway between Haigh Terrace and the Metals, on the Maritime Museum side of the building. Keep an eye out for some lovely woolly creations and yarnbombing outside the LexIcon and look out for some window displays in your local Dún Laoghaire book shops where you can buy your very own forever copy of Geansaí Ottó. Take a photo of you or your children enjoying dlr Scéal Trail and email them to libraryculture@dlrcoco.ie We have 10 copies of Geansaí Ottó for the best photos received!