Listowel Writers' Week
What? The town of Listowel is renowned nationally as a literary hub. The five day festival has been running for almost forty years and each year produces a diversity which continues to inspire an eclectic blend of visitors and contributors. The festival attracts acclaimed authors, poets, journalists, artists, singers and storytellers. There are also treats in store for children with award-winning writers, children’s workshops, fun with music and stories. Readings, interviews, workshops, drama, music, poetry slams, exhibitions all combine and the result is often deemed Ireland’s premier literary festival.
Where? Listowel (Lios Tuathail, "Tuathal's fort", in Irish) is a market town in County Kerry, Ireland, and is situated on the River Feale, 28 km (17miles) from the county town, Tralee. The combined population of Listowel Urban and Rural Districts is 22,668; the town itself has a population of 4,338 (CSO census 2006).
The town is sometimes described as the "Literary Capital of Ireland", and a number of internationally known playwrights and authors have lived there, including Bryan MacMahon and John B. Keane. Of Listowel, the latter wrote:
"Beautiful Listowel, serenaded night and day by the gentle waters of the River Feale.
Listowel where it is easier to write than not to write,
Where first love never dies, and the tall streets hide the loveliness,
The heartbreak and the moods, great and small,
Of all the gentle souls of a great and good community.
Sweet, incomparable hometown that shaped and made me"
When? June 2 -6, 2010
Who? Kevin Barry Leland Bardwell Louis De Bernières Jung Chang Dermot Bolger Carol Drinkwater Christine Dwyer Hickey Martina Evans Damon Galgut Declan Hughes Terry Jones James Kelman Rebecca Miller Mary Morrissy David Park Colm Toibín
How Much? 2010 tba
Festival Website? : http://www.writersweek.ie
