Mid and East Antrim pupils to vote for ‘Top Children’s Author’ to mark Democracy Week
Pupils from 17 primary schools across the Mid and East Antrim area will be taking part in a ‘Top Children’s Author’ election to mark Democracy Week 2026.
Ten of Northern Ireland’s local writers will be vying for the vote of almost 1,800 students as part of the election, taking place on World Book Day (Thursday, March 5).
The event is run by Mid and East Antrim Borough Council, and this year’s programme has been extended to include an Authors’ Roadshow to get the young electorate into the voting mood.
Ireland’s Children’s Literature Laureate, Patricia Forde, an author and illustrator of children’s books, will be in Ballymena ahead of the election, visiting pupils from Carniny and St. Colmcille’s Primary Schools.
Pupils from Carniny and St Comcille’s primary schools will count the votes at The Braid, Ballymena on Friday, March 6.
Speaking ahead of a series of Democracy Week 2026 events, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, said: “Democracy Week is an opportunity for us to encourage civic engagement between our citizens and the roles of local elected representatives.
See more: World Book Day: fab throwback photos from schools in Larne, Carrickfergus and Newtownabbey
“As Mayor I look forward to meeting our younger residents and helping them understand how they can engage in politics to shape decisions and ultimately build their confidence to vote.
“I am buoyed to see so many of our primary schools involved, showing there is significant value educationally in having children participate in this opportunity - not just through reading, but the wider lessons on debating, public speaking, campaigning and learning how democracy directly impacts their daily lives.
“Their voices, opinions and future votes matter in shaping their communities and Mid and East Antrim, and I look forward to speaking to many of the pupils during the week.”
The ten authors who will be on the Top Children’s Author election ballot paper were born in or currently live in Northern Ireland:
They are Hilary Bailey, from Islandmagee; Andrew Crooks, who teaches maths in Ballymena; Paddy Donnelly from Ballycastle; Derek Keilty from Belfast; Sophie Kirtley, who grew up in Northern Ireland, and Judith McQuoid, who was born and lives in Northern Ireland.
There’s also Marianne McShane, who is from Bangor, County Down; Ellan Rankin from Belfast; Morna Sullivan, who is County Antrim born and bred, and Sheena Wilkinson, who was born in Belfast in the 1960s.