Pictured: Listowel’s Luke Walsh looking forward to the children’s events at this year’s festival. Photo by Domnick Walsh
Listowel Writers’ Week will once again turn its focus to younger audiences this May, with Children’s events that place creativity, participation and imagination at its centre.
Set in the heart of North Kerry, the festival continues to attract visitors from across Ireland and beyond, combining a strong literary tradition with a distinctive sense of place.
From 27th to 31st May, Listowel Writers’ Week brings authors, artists and performers directly into schools, libraries and community spaces.
Among this year’s highlights is physicist, broadcaster and author Dr Shane Bergin, who will lead hands-on science workshops in Listowel Library on Saturday 30th May, encouraging children to explore and experiment using everyday materials.
The programme also includes bilingual workshops with artist Siobhán de Paor, inspired by the Bealtaine tradition, and poetry sessions in Irish with former Laureate na nÓg Áine Ní Ghlinn.
Across the week, events will span storytelling, theatre, illustration and interactive performance, offering multiple entry points into creativity for young participants.
Organiser Joanne Hunter said: “What matters is giving children a space for curiosity and creativity. Whether it’s through story, language or play, these events are about sparking imagination.”
The Children’s Festival is expected to reach over 500 young people, many through school-based events that bring writers directly into classrooms. It forms a central part of the festival’s commitment to nurturing future generations of readers and writers. Interactive writing workshops with Emma Larkin, Katie O’Donoghue and Mari Rolin will give children the opportunity to engage directly with practicing authors from their own communities, reinforcing the idea that stories can begin close to home.
Chairman of Listowel Writers’ Week, Ned O’Sullivan, acknowledged the support behind the programme: “We are very grateful to Go Safe for their valued support of the Children’s Festival. Their contribution helps ensure that young people have access to meaningful creative experiences, and that this important strand of the festival returns to reach communities across the region.”
Listowel Writers’ Week 2026 takes place from 27th to 31st May. Supported by the Arts Council of Ireland, Fáilte Ireland and Kerry County Council the festival brings world-class writers to Kerry while contributing to the region’s vibrant cultural and visitor economy. Full programme details are available at www.writersweek.ie.
