One City, One Book for Cork in 2024 is ‘Once was a Boy’ by Theo Dorgan.

Cork City Libraries’ One City, One Book gets book-loving Corkonians to read and discuss the same book as part of a city-wide book club. The initiative gives a platform to the work of Cork writers or those writing about the Cork City. One City One Book has developed organically and since 2019 has showcased the debut novels of Cork based writers including Catherine Kirwan, Tadhg Coakley, Danielle McLaughlin, Cónal Creedon and Madeleine D’Arcy.  For 2024 the proposed book is a poetry collection. This is a first for the programme in Cork and nationally.

Collaboration between Cork City Libraries and Waterstones ensures that as well as being prominently displayed in the library, the chosen book is also prominently displayed in Waterstones bookshop, both in the window and inside the store. 

Through various and unique fringe events held in various venues citywide, One City One Book forges connections with readers in ways that would not otherwise be possible. Creative writing workshops held by the chosen writer ensure the opportunity of engagement to new writers in the city, copper-fastening the future of the literary life of our city.

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.