Kerry Writers’ Museum will come alive on Friday, 18 September with an evening of stories, music, poetry and performance for Culture Night 2026. At its heart, the Culture Night programme celebrates the power of shared stories to connect generations, cultures and communities.
The evening begins at 6.15pm with Teen Music Fusion, a vibrant showcase of local young musical talent. Featuring contemporary hits alongside original performances, the event celebrates the creativity, passion and energy of young musicians from the local community.
At 7.30pm, the museum hosts A Tapestry of Tales in Listowel, a special Culture Night storytelling celebration bringing together voices and traditions from Ireland, the UK, USA, Japan and across Europe. Storytellers will share enchanting tales, myths and memories, with the event also celebrating Ireland’s Presidency of the European Union and featuring music, poetry and storytelling traditions from EU member states.
Hosted by storyteller Maria Gillen, the evening will also feature the Listowel Community Youth Choir and guest artists, creating an uplifting celebration of storytelling, culture and community in response to the festival theme, Past Voices, Future Stories.
The Culture Night celebrations continue at 9pm with Late Night Poetry & Stories, presented in collaboration with Listowel Writers’ Week Poets Corner at Christy’s ‘The Well’ Bar. This lively open-mic evening invites emerging and established voices to share poetry, stories and whatever else might emerge. With courage, culture and craic promised, it is the perfect way to round off Culture Night in the heart of literary Listowel.
Festival Director Cara Trant said:
“Culture Night is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the many voices that make up our community. This year, as we explore Past Voices, Future Stories, we are particularly delighted to bring together young local musicians, international storytellers, community voices and poets. It reflects exactly what storytelling is about — sharing, listening and discovering the connections between us.”
The Culture Night programme forms part of the Listowel International Storytelling Festival 2026, which runs from 17–20 September, bringing storytellers, poets, musicians and artists from Ireland and around the world to Listowel for four days of performances, workshops, exhibitions and community events.
All three Culture Night events are free of charge.
