The previously unpublished letter is being shared on Give Like Dolly Day, 25 September, as people around the world honour Dolly’s extraordinary generosity and the lasting impact of her work.
Dolly has always been an important figure in my life.
It started with my Mum, she was obsessed with Dolly’s voice and introduced me to her Music. When I was seven, my younger sister came along. Mum named her Jolene. For as long as my sister can remember, when someone is introduced to her, they sing a chorus of that famous song. Luckily, she’s a huge Dolly Fan too.
But we didn’t just love her music. We loved her, her story, her unique character.
From a one-bedroom cabin in Tennessee to global musical stardom, Dolly never forgot where she came from or felt the need to change who she was. Her work is so completely rooted in one place, with that distinctive Tennessee country sound, yet somehow it belongs to everyone.
That really inspired me when writing about my wee city of Derry in Derry Girls. It made me believe that world so personal to me — with all its quirks, idiosyncrasies and very specific local stories — might somehow translate to the wider world.
And that’s why, in Derry Girls, we had Dolly’s picture hanging on the wall — above the Pope, no less — and why, whenever anyone was told to prove they were telling the truth, they had to swear on Dolly.
As a writer, I have long been in awe of Dolly’s lyrics and storytelling power, the way she could draw you in and make you think and feel.
And then there’s her legendary generosity. Dolly was such a genuine force for good in the world. And in a sea of achievements the creation the Imagination Library is one of her most remarkable.
Dolly understood how enriching and life-changing stories can be, and how important it is to get children reading from a young age, but was also very aware of the barriers that can stop that happening. For Dolly to use her success to try to give children that gift is truly incredible.
In My Neflix mystery How To Get To Heaven From Belfast, the fearless Booker Bradley potrayed by the insanely talented Bronagh Gallagher, is a huge Dolly Parton fan. She wears a belt which proudly displayed the word ‘ DOLLY’ across it’s buckle – and sang a haunting rendition of ‘ Love is like a butterfly’ in the show. I’ll end with a quote from Booker which perhaps best sums up how I feel ** ** ” Dolly Parton is one of the greatest artists ever to have graced this planet, a musical icon, a storyteller, a philanthropist.”
Rest in Peace Dolly. There will never be another quite like you.
Give Like Dolly Day- September 25
As today is Give Like Dolly Day, a heartfelt letter from Dolly Parton has revealed her personal hope that every child in Northern Ireland could one day receive free books through her Imagination Library.
The previously unpublished letter is being shared as people around the world honour Dolly’s extraordinary generosity and the lasting impact of her work.
Written in August 2025, the letter celebrates the achievements of Imagination Library partners in Northern Ireland, who had gifted nearly 90,000 books to children and families over the preceding decade.
Dolly also recalled her own connection with Northern Ireland, writing of her “fond memories of performing in Belfast” and saying that it meant the world to her that the Imagination Library had found “such a special home” there.
Most powerfully, the letter shares Dolly’s dream of making the Imagination Library available to every young child across Northern Ireland and invites others to help make that ambition a reality.
Dolly wrote that every child deserved the opportunity to dream big, with books at home, a lifelong love of reading and the inspiration to make a difference in the world.
The letter is being shared as part of Give Like Dolly Day, a day inspired by Dolly’s lifelong commitment to giving back and helping others. Individuals, communities and organisations are being encouraged to celebrate her legacy through acts of generosity and by supporting the causes she cared about.
Dolly founded the Imagination Library in 1995 in honour of her father, who could not read or write. Today, the programme works with local partners to send a carefully selected, age-appropriate book by post every month to children from birth to age 5. Families do not pay to take part.
Brenda McMullen, ex-Headteacher at Cliftonville Integrated Primary in Belfast first brought the programme to Northern Ireland in 2015, she has since served on the Imagination Library’s book selection committee. Currently, the Imagination Library programmes across Northern Ireland are generously supported by Hagan Homes, Belfast City Council, Apex Housing and Clan Mil Housing.
Meg Fletcher, Regional Director at The Dollywood Foundation UK, said: “On Give Like Dolly Day, this letter is a precious reminder of Dolly’s love for Northern Ireland and her determination to help children dream big.
“She was immensely proud of what local Imagination Library partners had already achieved, but she always wanted to reach further. Her hope was that every young child in Northern Ireland could experience the excitement of a book arriving through their door each month, addressed especially to them.
“Dolly’s message was also an invitation. She knew that bringing books to every child would only be possible if people and organisations came together to make it happen.
“We would love to hear from communities, funders, businesses and public bodies who could help us take her dream forward. Supporting more children to build their own library at home would be a powerful way to give like Dolly and continue her remarkable legacy.”
Research shows that having books in the home and sharing stories from a child’s earliest months can support language development, school readiness and the bond between children and their parents or carers.
The Imagination Library is a universal programme, open to every child within a participating community. This principle was deeply personal to Dolly, who experienced poverty and bullying as a child and never wanted a family to feel singled out for receiving books.
The Dollywood Foundation UK is inviting organisations, funders and public-sector partners interested in expanding Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library across Northern Ireland to get in touch.
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