Students from 67 national schools in Co Offaly come face to face this week with some of Ireland's leading contemporary writers and musicians as part of the county's arts festival.
The Fanning the Flames festival is a celebration of literature, reading, music and the arts. Its programme of events draws on the talents of writers, poets and musicians and aims to bring creative writing to the wider community.
During the week each national school in the county will be visited by a contemporary writer who will hold a workshop with the children.
The panel of participating writers includes Pat Speight, Gerard Whelan, Ann Egan, Michael Mullen, Aislinn O'Loughlin, Larry O'Loughlin, Maeve Friel and Tom McCaughren.
The festival continues this evening with a performance by Cork storyteller Pat Speight at Riada House in Tullamore.
There will be an evening of reading and music at the Tullamore Dew Heritage Centre tomorrow evening.
A poetry-reading session will be held at the Bridge Centre, Tullamore, on Saturday afternoon. The festival will close with a celebration of reading and music at Charleville Castle, Tullamore, on Saturday evening.
Further details are available from the county librarian's office (0506-46883) or the county arts officer's office (0506-46830)