Blackbird Books takes flight
Blackbird Books, the Navan independent bookshop established by husband and wife team Shane Breslin and Lorraine McKeever Breslin last year, is moving to a new home as part of the creative community at Solstice in the coming weeks.
The bookshop, which had set up home at Old Corn Market in the town early last year, made a positive impact on Navan’s burgeoning creative events scene with a number of readings, book launches, open mic nights, children’s events and even music gigs over the past 12 months and is now officially joining the town’s creative hub in its new home at Solstice.
While visitors praised the coffee and sweet treats which formed part of the Blackbird Books offering, the move to Solstice allows bookshop owner Lorraine McKeever Breslin to concentrate her energies on what she feels she does best - getting great books into the hands of readers of all ages, while at the same time benefiting from the fact that it is now inside the doors of the county’s principal events arena and the proven reputation of new neighbours at Solstice, The Box Cafe.
“We loved having a small coffee shop where people could come, browse the books and relax over a hot drink,” says Lorraine. “However, I’d be lying if I said that it didn’t distracted us from the books, and I just think that it is going to be the best of all worlds at Solstice. -We will try to give our bookselling business the best possible chance, while at the same time benefiting from the fact that one of the best theatres in the country, a fantastic art gallery and exhibition space and The Box Cafe, which serves some of the best lunches and cakes around, are all just a few steps away! We couldn’t be happier with the way things have worked out. ”
“I’m delighted that Blackbird books have accepted our invitation to join our creative household at Solstice” says Belinda Quirke, Artistic Director of Solstice. “This forms part of our strategic vision for the centre to be a hub of creativity for artists, industries and citizens to informally connect with culture in the northeast region. Blackbird Books are a likeminded creative business that understand and promote the enrichment of everyday life through cultural moments and kinship. A mutual sincere goodwill lends itself to the promise of an imaginative and sustainable partnership”.
Among the authors who read at Blackbird Books in its first year were award-winning novelists and short story writers Donal Ryan and Nuala O’Connor, crime writer Jax Miller, historian Frank Shouldice and poets Peter Fallon and Tom French. Musicians which graced the upstairs space at the old Blackbird Books included the world-famous The Bookshop Band and singer-songwriters Saramai, Christy Leech, Rosa Nutty, Participant, Myles Manley and Joy Booth.
“Our customers loved the events we ran over the past year or so,” says Lorraine. “I loved our Birdsong intimate music gigs, author readings and book launches, and we are definitely going to be planning more events under the Blackbird Books banner soon. We also hope to be able to help out the team at Solstice in whatever way we can to bring some amazing events to the people of Meath. We just can’t wait for September to come around so we can settle into our new home!”
Blackbirds book will relaunch at Solstice on Culture Night September 16th at 6.30 p.m.