very year towards the end of May, people from around the globe gather in the town of Listowel to celebrate the city’s literary heritage. Artists, writers, publishers and poets come together to promote writing of all genres and to spotlight various artists and their work. It is a wonderful moment where anyone can come visit the town and take part in this celebration of the written word. Started in 1971, the festival’s goal was to transform this Kerry county town into a literary hub, brimming with culture, giving it a second life and fostering new and emerging talent in the literary world. The festival celebrates all kinds of genres through the work of all kinds of writers. The festival proposes readings, walks, workshops, and competitions among many other kinds of events. It’s an exciting moment that leaves attendees feeling intellectually stimulated and inspired. Here is our guide to making the most of your time at the festival.
Listowel, County Kerry.
- © gabriel12 / Shutterstock
There’s so much to see while at the festival, you’ll want to take a look at the programme in advance to take a look at what events are on and to pick and choose the ones you would like to attend.
The programme is released chunk by chunk so make sure you check the website for any updates. You’ll find the programme page here. Take some time to look through the various events being organised and see what you wouldn’t want to miss.
Listowel is a lovely little town in Kerry, there’s a lot of history for visitors to explore. Take your time to walk around the town, get your bearings and see where the different festival spots are. We also recommend you go see Listowel Castle while you’re there. It is usually open during the festival and is well worth a visit. Find out more information about it here.
We also love taking a long walk along the River Feale, and if you’re lucky, you’ll catch a fantastic sunset from there.
Listowel Castle.
- © gabriel12 / ShutterstockYou’ll undoubtedly want to do a little bit of book shopping while in town for the literary festival, and the best place to do that in Listowel is Woulfe’s. Located on Church Street, Woulfe’s is a delightful little independent bookstore with the kindest staff members ready to help you out if you should need it. Open daily from 10:30am until 5:30pm, the store is perfect for any of your bookish needs and is very well stocked with all kinds of genres. Find out more details about the store on their website.
You will undoubtedly want to stay somewhere central, making it easy for you to get around town. The Listowel Arms is the perfect pick for this occasion, offering a quaint stay with a perfect location, wonderful amenities and free private parking.
Ireland
All that culture is bound to make you a little hungry, head to the Horseshoe Bar and Restaurant for an authentic Irish pub experience, complete with great company, tasty food, and a much needed pint of Guinness. John B Keane is another great option for this type of experience, the pub is located at 37, William Street.
John B. Keane pub in Listowel.
- © gabriel12 / ShutterstockAt its core, the Listowel Writer’s Week is a fantastic place to enjoy yourself and take in an incredible amount of culture. It really is a pleasure to get to engage with interesting and passionate people about so many interesting and diverse topics, so make the most of it!
By car:
By bus:
