By Gerard Gallen

The first ever Donegal Book Fair, hosted by the Jason Clarke Foundation, was a roaring success last weekend raising over €3000. With around 50 exhibitors on the day it has been confirmed that the Book Fair will return in November and could become a regular event every three months following on from the interest shown.

In the relaxed setting of Jackson’s Hotel, a plethora of Irelands rich literary history across all domains was on display not to mention books from around the world. With sellers coming from across Ireland it was an opportunity for people to pick up the rare out of print books and first editions as well as antiquities and other items of interest. People could cipher through antiques and the array of coins and stamps in short whatever your interest you were guaranteed to find an item and treasure that took your fancy.

Perhaps one of the strangest items of all on display was a photo album of German soldiers during World War Two and Identification papers with the haunting image of the swastika on the front that the dealer had acquired from a friend in Switzerland.

Danny McIntyre one of the key organisers who runs the Jason Clarke Foundation Charity Book Shop in Ballybofey was delighted with the response the Fair received and is looking forward to holding the event once again in December. He also expressed his thanks to everyone involved and Jackson’s for hosting the event.

“It was an extremely successful day and we had people coming from all over Ireland with about 50 stalls in total. Speaking to people at the end they were more than happy to return. I have just confirmed with Jackson’s that the next Fair will take place on November 30^th. I expect the interest to be just as high and anyone interested is welcome to get in touch and book their place,” he told the Finn Valley Post.

Anyone interested in displaying at the fair in November is asked to get in contact with Danny on 087 6709568.