Leixlip Educate Together National School was abuzz with excitement today as Leona Maguire surprised students with a visit, marking the launch of their new book collection, a gift made possible by KPMG’s “Books for Birdies” initiative.
This is the second year of the KPMG “Books for Birdies” campaign in partnership with Children’s Books Ireland, which saw KPMG donate 2,000 books to schools in the Dromoland area following the 2023 tournament. This year, through “Books for Birdies”, KPMG and Children’s Books Ireland have donated 2,000 new books to 20 schools in the Kildare and Meath area.
For every birdie scored during the 2024 KPMG Women’s Irish Open at Carton House, along with every birdie that Leona Maguire has had since 2024 KPMG US Women’s Open, KPMG pledged to donate a children’s book to local schools. These excellent performances on the course resulted in 1,343 books donated, further bolstered by KPMG’s donation of 657 additional books in a gesture of thanks towards Carton House and the wider community. This brought the grand total to 2,000 books, enough to create a vibrant “little library” of 100 books for each of the 20 participating schools, including many DEIS schools.
The donated books, carefully curated by Children’s Books Ireland, celebrate diversity, inclusion, and the empowering stories of women in sport. This initiative builds on KPMG’s longstanding partnership with Children’s Books Ireland, which includes their support of the KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards and impactful programs like BOLD GIRLS and Free To Be Me, all championing the power of reading to inspire and empower young minds.
Speaking at Leixlip Educate Together National, Irish professional golfer and KPMG ambassador Leona Maguire said: “Books have the power to open up new worlds and possibilities, and I’m so happy to be part of an initiative that puts these powerful tools into the hands of young readers. It’s especially rewarding knowing that my rounds at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open translated into these books, and it’s been wonderful meeting the students at Leixlip Educate Together National School today and seeing their excitement.”
Seamus Hand, Managing Partner at KPMG Ireland, added: “We’re incredibly proud of Leona’s performance at this year’s KPMG Women’s Irish Open, and even more proud to see her dedication to inspiring young readers through the ‘Books for Birdies’ campaign. We are delighted to once again partner with Children’s Books Ireland to bring the joy of reading to children across Ireland. At KPMG we believe that supporting literacy can have a profound effect on young people’s lives. We’re confident these books will spark imaginations and inspire young minds for years to come.”
Elaina Ryan, CEO Children’s Books Ireland added: “There’s nothing quite like seeing a child’s face light up when they receive a new book, and knowing they’re about to embark on a journey of discovery and imagination. We’re thrilled to partner with KPMG and Leona Maguire for a second year of ‘Books for Birdies,’ bringing that joy of reading to even more young people. Leona’s dedication to this initiative, both on and off the course, is truly inspiring. Thanks to her efforts and KPMG’s incredible generosity, we’re equipping these students with books that reflect diverse voices and stories, including strong female role models in sport. We can’t wait to see what adventures await them in the pages of these books”
Receiving this gift for their school library, Mary MacDowell, Principal at Leixlip Educate Together National School, said: “This generous donation of books from KPMG’s ‘Books for Birdies campaign is a tremendous gift to our students. We’re particularly excited about the diverse characters and themes represented in these books, which will expose our students to new perspectives and inspire them to pursue their dreams. A love of reading is invaluable, and we’re incredibly grateful to Leona Maguire, KPMG, and Children’s Books Ireland for making this wonderful opportunity possible for our school.”