The programme is organised by Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Children’s Books Ireland and will see more than 1,900 copies of 'Why the Moon Travels' by Oein DeBhairduin donated to children at 64 schools across Ireland, including five from Cork.
Ballyhea National School, SN Droichead na Bandan, St Mary's on the Hill Primary School, St Columba's GNS, and Scartleigh National School are the Cork schools taking part.
The donation is part of Enterprise’s ROAD (Respect, Opportunity, Achievement and Diversity) Forward programme, which is a $55 million global initiative funded by Enterprise’s philanthropic arm, the Enterprise Holdings Foundation, to promote early childhood development, youth health and wellness, and career and college preparation.
Through the ROAD Forward initiative, more than 1,900 sixth class pupils from across Ireland will receive their own copy of 'Why the Moon Travels', a collection of folk tales rooted in the oral tradition of the Irish Traveller community collected by Oein DeBhairduin and beautifully illustrated by Leanne McDonagh.
The event was marked by an event in Tralee which was attended by Minister for Education Norma Foley, speaking at the event she said:
"I am delighted to be launching the ROAD Forward initiative here in Tralee. Introducing children to reading at a young age is crucial and initiatives like this go a long way to fostering an appetite for reading in our schools. It is said that books are uniquely portable magic and this initiative will transport a myriad of Irish children and young people into a world of Irish folk and fantasy through the power of reading.”
“‘Why the Moon Travels’ which preserves and showcases the wonderful oral tradition of the Irish Traveller community. I hope all the pupils receiving a copy of this book enjoy it and share with their friends and families the unique tales it captures.”
