Kerry Writers’ Museum will welcome artists from throughout the world from June 11th to 14th for four-day Celtic Arts festival featuring lectures, exhibitions, workshops and live performances celebrating both traditional and contemporary Celtic art. The event coincides with the International Day of Celtic Art (9 June), an initiative that began as an online community in 2000 and has since grown into a global network of artists and enthusiasts, with previous in-person gatherings held in New York and Downpatrick.
Local contributors including stonemason Darren Enright & artist Sean Lynch will be joined by visiting artists from across Ireland, the UK, Europe, North America and as far afield as Australia and Hawaii, positioning Listowel as a focal point for Celtic artistic practice.
Event organiser Stephen Rynne describes Listowel as “the world capital of modern Celtic art,” citing the town’s long association with artists working in historically informed styles. Local examples include the renowned stuccowork of Pat McAuliffe and the legacy of acclaimed 20th-century artist Michael O’Connor, whose work is held at Kerry Writers’ Museum.
International Expertise and Keynote Speaker
The Listowel Celtic Arts Weekend’s keynote address will be delivered by artist and researcher Thomas Keyes, known for his work in experimental archaeology. Originally from Belfast and now based in Scotland, Keyes recreates traditional materials such as inks and vellum to explore the techniques used by medieval scribes, including those behind the 9th-century Book of Kells. His work bridges historical reconstruction and contemporary artistic interpretation.
Free Exhibition and Historic Manuscript Display
A central feature of the weekend will be a free public exhibition showcasing work by participating artists alongside pieces from the Celtic Revival period.
The exhibition will also include a rare public display of the Book of Ballykinlar, created by internees during the War of Independence and presented with the support of the Irish Military Archives. This marks the manuscript’s first public viewing.
Talks, Workshops and Public Participation
A three-day programme of expert presentations will cover a wide range of disciplines, including sculpture, metalwork, textiles and Celtic graphic design traditions such as La Tène and Insular art.
Hands-on workshops, designed for all skill levels, will run throughout the weekend, offering participants the opportunity to learn directly from practising artists. Topics include:
• Celtic knotwork and spiral design
• Jewellery and brooch making
• Stone carving and blacksmithing
• Traditional music (bodhrán, tin whistle)
• Leatherworking and decorative arts
All workshops include materials and are offered at reduced rates to encourage public participation.
Music, Performance and Outdoor Events
The programme also features live cultural events at St. John’s Theatre & Arts Centre, including:
• A talk and demonstration of ancient Celtic horns by Ancient Music Ireland (11 June)
• A traditional music concert by Listowel Duagh Comhaltas (13 June)
The weekend will conclude with a public outing to Ballybunion Beach, where attendees will collaborate on a large-scale piece of Celtic sand art. Additional activities include demonstrations of traditional stone lifting, stick fighting, historical walks and a visit to the Lartigue Monorail.
Tickets are available via Eventbrite: www.eventbrite.ie/o/107958378461
