Cork County Council Library & Arts Service has published “Come Sit Awhile” Volume 2, a thoughtful collection of stories designed specifically for people living with dementia and their carers, launching the book as the opening event of this year’s West Cork Literary Festival in Bantry Library on Friday.
The new volume features winning entries from a public short story competition, with Clare Bohane taking first place for “A Day in May”. Kathleen Lonergan secured second place with “Returning Home”, whilst Olivia Coogan’s “Afternoon Tea Party” claimed third. Stories by Kate Durant, Eamon O’Leary and Paddy O’Connor also earned highly commended status and inclusion in the collection.
This second edition arrives four years after the original 2021 publication proved popular with families, carers and medical professionals across Cork. The timing couldn’t be more crucial, as dementia cases are predicted to more than double over the next two decades, making community support increasingly vital.
Fiona Foley, Senior Project Manager at the HSE’s National Dementia Office, who oversees the “Dementia: Understand Together” and “Brain Health” programmes, addressed attendees about the growing importance of community care initiatives.
The Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley, praised the library service’s role:
“Our libraries help our communities by providing access to information and resources for those suffering with dementia as well as their families and carers. Reading and reminiscing also brings a huge amount of comfort to those with dementia. The first volume of ‘Come Sit Awhile’ was very well received by those in the community, carers and medical professionals. I’m certain this new volume will be just as well received.”
Cork County’s libraries have steadily expanded their services for older residents, introducing digital training, shared reading sessions, dementia awareness training for staff, age-friendly furniture, mobile library visits to nursing homes, and improved building access. Each library also maintains free, welcoming spaces with dedicated age-friendly champions on hand to assist.
In a touching gesture, knitting groups from Bantry, Millstreet, Cobh and Mallow libraries presented handmade twiddle-muffs, sensory comfort tools for people with dementia, to Bantry Hospital during the launch event.
“Come Sit Awhile” Volume 2 will be available to borrow from Cork County libraries starting this week. Copies will also be distributed to nursing homes and day care centres throughout the county, ensuring these meaningful stories reach those who need them most.