Dolly Parton, the country music legend and longtime philanthropist, is bringing her literacy charity for children to Ireland, the Irish Times reported Thursday. Parton announced that her Imagination Library, which mails free books to children each month from their birth until their fifth birthday, will launch in the Dublin suburb of Tallaght. “I know there are children in Ireland with their own dreams — the dream of becoming a doctor, an inventor or a teacher. Who knows, maybe a writer or singer,” Parton told the Irish Times. “The seeds of these dreams can often be found in books, and the seeds planted in a community can grow across the world.” Partnering with Parton on the project is CDI, a Tallaght-based children’s charity. Marian Quinn, the CEO of the charity, said she was “delighted” to welcome the Imagination Library to Ireland. Advertisement “We aim to reach 3,200 children with 21,600 books in Dublin 24 in the first year alone,” she told the news outlet. “Our aim is to then scale up to other parts of the country.” Some of the books sent to children will have a letter from Parton enclosed, the Irish Examiner reports. The Imagination Library, administered by Parton’s Dollywood Foundation, has been sending books to children since 1995. It was launched in Tennessee’s Sevier County, where Parton grew up in the town of Pittman Center. Parton took the program national in 2000, and three years after that, the charity had mailed 1 million books to children around the U.S. In 2006, Parton launched the charity in Canada, and it expanded to the U.K. and Australia soon after that. Audio and Braille books were added to the program in 2011. In 2018, the charity announced it had sent 100 million books to children across the world. On the Imagination Library website, Parton said the charity was inspired by her father, who was illiterate. “Before he passed away, my Daddy told me the Imagination Library was probably the most important thing I had ever done,” Parton wrote. “I can’t tell you how much that meant to me because I created the Imagination Library as a tribute to my Daddy. He was the smartest man I have ever known but I know in my heart his inability to read probably kept him from fulfilling all of his dreams.” In a 2013 interview with the Los Angeles Times, Parton praised the United Way for its support of the Imagination Library. Advertisement “They’re doing amazing things,” Parton said. “Every day, something new happens, and they’re getting more books into the hands of more children.”<doc-sep>DOLLY Parton's charity has launched a free book programme for children in Ireland. The music icon's Imagination Library works with local partners to gift books to young children across the world. 2 Dolly Parton says books help kids to dream big Credit: AP:Associated Press And from today new books will be available free to all children aged 0-5 living in Tallaght. Dolly has called on parents in the area to take advantage of the opportunity and get their children reading. Launching the project, she said: “You can never get enough books into the hands of young children. "I know there are children in Ireland with their own dreams – the dream of becoming a doctor, an inventor, or a teacher. Who knows, maybe a writer, or singer. 2 Cameron Harte, aged 3, with his books "The seeds of these dreams can often be found in books and the seeds planted in a community can grow across the world." Tallaght based prevention and early intervention organisation CDI is responsible for enrolling children and will use its network to drive and track take up. An Post has committed to free postage of the books in Tallaght for one year. CDI Chief Executive Marian Quinn added: "I am really delighted that the Imagination Library is coming to Ireland. MOST READ IN SHOWBIZ 'WE'LL SEE' Louise Redknapp revealed Jamie wanted another baby when she was on Strictly 'you'll kill me!' Maura Higgins shares funny makeup-free pic to celebrate Molly-Mae's 22nd Flying it Ryan Andrews reveals he and girlfriend Michaela have booked holiday abroad BRAVE HOLLY Gordon Ramsay's daughter reveals she was hospitalised after sexual assault PTSD wee mansion Inside Daniel O'Donnell's former luxury mansion back on market for €1m secret name Mark Wright reveals sweet nickname for Michelle Keegan on 6th anniversary "We aim to reach 3,200 children with 21,600 books in Dublin 24 in the first year alone. Our aim is to then scale up to other parts of the country.” Once signed up the child will receive a free high-quality book to keep every month until they are five. The books will be addressed to the child and posted directly to their home. It is available to all children in each household and siblings will get different age-appropriate books.<doc-sep>Thousands of young children in Tallaght in Dublin are to be given free books under a scheme initiated by singer Dolly Parton. She started the charity 'Imagination Library' in 1995 and it is currently active in the US, the UK, Canada and Australia, posting over 1.3 million free books to children under five every month. Ireland is now be the fifth country in which it operates and although the project is beginning in Tallaght it is hoped it will be extended to other parts of the country. The progamme is being piloted in Tallaght by the Childhood Development Initiative (CDI) and is supported by Dublin Rotary Club, Shamrock Rovers and An Post who will deliver the books free of charge for a year. In a statement, Dolly Parton said: "You can never get enough books into the hands of young children. I know there are children in Ireland with their own dreams - the dream of becoming a doctor, an inventor, or a teacher. Who knows, maybe a writer, or singer. "The seeds of these dreams can often be found in books and the seeds planted in a community can grow across the world'. A book a month will be sent to children until they are aged five CDI Chief Executive Marian Quinn said their aim is to reach 3,200 children with 21,600 books in Dublin 24 in the first year. Once signed up to the scheme, each child will receive a book a month to keep until they are five. The programme was launched today at South Dublin County Council Library in Tallaght.<doc-sep>
A free book programme for Irish children has been launched a charity founded by country legend Dolly Parton. The programme, launched at the South Dublin County Council Library in Tallaght, will provide free books to children aged up to five living in Dublin 24. Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library (DPIL) works with local organisations worldwide to provide free books to children. Children who sign up to the programme will receive a free book every month until they turn five. (Image: Google Maps) The 73-year-old American singer said: “You can never get enough books into the hands of young children. “I know there are children in Ireland with their own dreams – the dream of becoming a doctor, an inventor, or a teacher. Who knows, maybe a writer, or singer. “The seeds of these dreams can often be found in books and the seeds planted in a community can grow across the world.” This is the first time the programme has been partnered with an Irish organisation, the Irish Times reports. And the scheme is being coordinated by Tallaght-based Childhood Development Initiative, supported by An Post, the Dublin Rotary Club and Shamrock Rovers Football club. Parents can register for their child on the CDI website. Marian Quinn, chief executive of CDI, said: “I am really delighted that the Imagination Library is coming to Ireland. “We aim to reach 3,200 children with 21,600 books in Dublin 24 in the first year alone. Our aim is to then scale up to other parts of the country.”