Welcome to the first of our blog series, shining a spotlight on Independent Bookshops and the important role they play in their local communities.
First up is Leaf and Bower, a small bookshop in Ballincollig, Co. Cork, which first opened its doors in 2023 and is run by owner and book lover, Fiona Farrell. Step inside and you’ll find more than just books, but a true community hub.
This May, Fiona turned that community spirit into something truly special: the ‘Tiniest Book Festival.’ True to its name, it was small in scale but enormous in heart. Highlights included a children’s ‘Write a Milly McCarthy Book’ workshop with author Leona Forde, ‘Murder in the Bower’, where crime writers Amy Jordan, Catherine Kirwan and Michelle McDonagh were interviewed by book blogger Mairead Hearne, and a captivating Irish folklore session with Shane Lehane.
Winner of a 2025 Community Prize Fund grant, Fiona used the funding to enhance her events space, putting in extra shelving, hiring storage and a tent for outside the shop, as well as supporting attending writers, many of whom had the chance to get to know one another for the first time.
A day of conversation and connection, Fiona was grateful for the support and enthusiasm from her regular customers, many of whom have already requested another festival for next year!
Of the event, Fiona said ‘Best of all is that all the people who attended were customers I know from the shop, and it really brought home to me what a wonderful community I have built through Leaf and Bower. Weeks later everyone is still talking about it.’
If you have a story from your bookshop you’d like to share, don’t hesitate to get in touch by contacting sineadprice@irelandia.ie.
