I’m usually part of the body of the room at the monthly Open Mic in the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar, wondering, in a last-minute surge of self-doubt, if I should change what I’m planning to read. Last night, however, I was temporarily promoted from the ranks and installed at the front as the featured reader. It felt like being called up from the subs’ bench, but thankfully there was no major deficit to be rescued.

Today is World Book Day - the parents of my young neighbour Róisín sent me these pictures before she left for St Joseph's Primary School, Ballinrobe, this morning.

For writers and readers in this part of the world (Co. Mayo, west of Ireland), the next few days offer two good reasons to leave the house and sit in a room with people of similar disposition.