Pictured: Young Listowel author Danny Lawlor with Máire Logue (Curator), Katie O’Brien (Festival Manager), and Cara Trant (Executive Director), photographed in the heart of historic Listowel, a town long celebrated for its deep literary roots and proud tradition of storytelling.
Photographer: Domnick Walsh – Eye Focus LTD – 087 26 72 033.
In 2025, Listowel proudly reaffirms its place at the heart of Ireland’s literary landscape with the launch of Listowel Literature Festival, a landmark collaboration between Listowel Writers’ Week, Kerry Writers’ Museum, and St. John’s Theatre and Arts Centre.
This collective festival offering will take place from May 28th to June 1st, welcoming audiences to a dynamic celebration of storytelling, creativity, and community. Rooted in Listowel’s exceptional literary heritage, this year’s programme embraces an inclusive, vibrant, and boldly imaginative vision.
The initiative draws inspiration from the words of Brendan Kennelly:
“Begin again to the summoning birds.”
That call to renewal echoes throughout the 2025 programme. Máire Logue, Festival Curator and Artistic Director at St John’s Theatre, describes this year’s festival as “a reflection of Listowel’s creative heart” one that brings together fresh voices, bold ideas, and meaningful cultural connection. “This year is about honouring the legacy of Listowel while embracing a new spirit of collaboration,” she says. “Ní neart go cur le chéile – there is no strength without unity, and that spirit runs through every part of this programme. The result is a programme that feels both familiar and excitingly new.”
The collaboration brings together three cultural pillars of North Kerry with a shared mission, to uplift and showcase the written and spoken word in all its forms. The festival continues to reflect what Listowel is best known for, a warm welcome, a proud literary tradition, and a deep commitment to writers and artists at every stage of their journey.
By working together, these organisations demonstrate the enduring strength of Listowel’s cultural community. The festival continues to reflect what Listowel is best known for, a warm welcome, a proud literary tradition, and a commitment to supporting writers and artists at every stage of their journey.
“This is a celebration of literature that is both global and deeply rooted in our local community,” said Cara Trant, Executive Director of Kerry Writers’ Museum. “We are thrilled to launch the Listowel Literary Festival, which builds on the town’s rich heritage and brings together our key arts and cultural partners to create something truly special. This is a celebration of literature that is both global and deeply rooted in our local community.”
Events will take place across some of Listowel’s most beloved venues from the iconic Kerry Writers’ Museum and St. John’s Theatre, The Listowel Arms Hotel, to The Plaza Hall, local pubs, and welcoming spaces throughout the town. At its core, this year’s festival celebrates connection: between writers and readers, between generations, and between tradition and innovation.
The Board of Directors of Writers’ Week are proud to collaborate with their cultural neighbours in curating this refreshed and united programme. “This is not just about preserving tradition, it’s about growing it. We are deeply committed to championing literature in all its forms and working together to ensure the legacy of Listowel as Ireland’s literary capital continues to thrive,” said the Board.
Listowel Literature Festival 2025 invites everyone local and international, first-time visitors and loyal supporters to experience the power of words, shared stories, and creative community in the heart of Lovely Listowel. The full programme of events from all participating organisations is available at www.writersweek.ie.
