Books are for people who wish they were in Delvin

It is estimated people attending the Delvin Garradrimna Book Fair on Sunday May 6 will have 30,000 books to choose from!Delvin has laid the ghost of its book-burning past to rest by turning The Valley of the Squinting Windows saga of almost a century ago into a moneyspinner for community facilities, thanks to the Delvin Garradrimna Book Fair - now in its third year.Garradrimna was the fictitious village in The Valley of the Squinting Windows, published by John Weldon, writing as Brinsley MacNamara, in 1918.The people of Delvin took exception to the novel, as they felt Weldon had made them a laughing stock.In 2009, Michael Murphy and Paul Carolan got together to try to come up with an idea that could be used to raise money for the community centre and facilities project in Delvin.As both have an interest in history, they decided to put an old ghost of Delvin to rest, and came up with the idea of a book fair."The demand is so great for this event, we are once again holding the book fair, on Sunday May 6 from noon," Michael said."In addition to the book fair, we're adding a craft gallery, and craft workers (including a blacksmith and a wood-turner) will be demonstrating their work."There is also a book fair for children; face painting; and book readings throughout the day (by some prominent people);Parking and admission are free, and books will be available from €1. Don't worry about the weather as the entire event is under one roof.www.delvinvillage.com