The National Year of Reading launches in Northern Ireland at Stormont

Photograph of David Hayman, Director of the National Year of Reading 2026 standing at a lectern addressing a group of people at an event
David Hayman, Director of the National Year of Reading 2026 speaking at the Northern Ireland launch in Stormont

Today (2 February 2026) we launched the National Year of Reading in Northern Ireland at Stormont, bringing together primary school pupils, authors, government officials, community groups, charities and businesses to kick off a year-long national effort to reignite a love of reading at a critical moment.

At a landmark roundtable event, opened by Nick Mathison, Chair of the Education Committee in Northern Ireland, who sponsored the event, alongside government officials and delivery partners including Paul Givan, Minister of Education; Gordon Lyons, Minister for Communities; and Jim O’Hagan, CEO of Libraries NI, we explored how we can help more children, young people and adults rediscover reading through the things they already love.

“Reading has been the one constant running through my life. I’ve learnt so much about myself and the world through the books I’ve read over the years. Other people’s words have been a source of comfort, solidarity, education and entertainment and I can’t imagine life without books.”

Jan Carson, award-winning writer and National Year of Reading ambassador

We also heard from pupils at Holy Evangelists’ Primary School, who shared the positive impact their school library has had in sparking a love of reading and building confidence and self-esteem.

The school recently benefited from a flagship library transformation through the National Literacy Trust’s Libraries for Primaries campaign, receiving 500 high-quality books, comics and audiobooks that reflect pupils’ interests and experiences, alongside teacher training and resources to support a whole-school reading for pleasure culture.

Two young schoolchildren sitting at a table looking interested and engaged
School children attending at the launch of the National Year of Reading in Northern Ireland at Stormont

Through launching and delivering the National Year of Reading in Northern Ireland, we aim to address the steep decline in reading engagement as our latest research found that:

  • Fewer than 3 in 10 (28.9%) children and young people aged 8-18 in Northern Ireland said they enjoy reading in their free time,
  • Only 1 in 6 (16.9%) read daily in their free time.

We’re calling on the nation to Go All In on what they love and (re)discover how reading can bring those passions to life. Whether it’s music, sport, films, food or family time, reading can deepen the things that already matter, in whatever way feels right for them.

And the opportunity is clear: children and young people in Northern Ireland tell us they’re far more likely to read when it connects to their interests and passions. Going all in on our passions through reading can spark curiosity, strengthen wellbeing and bring people together, not just in 2026, but well beyond.