THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 14
Lunchtime Theatre: Moloney Up & At It – 1.00 pm
Paddy McElligott’s hilarious interpretation of Brendan Kennelly’s collection of comic poems with a central character, Moloney, who tells of his experiences of, for the most part, sex and death.
St. John’s Theatre – Tickets: €10
The Bolex Boys: An Adventure in Storytelling in Film – 4 pm
In this panel discussion curator Ciarán Walsh chats to filmmakers John Lynch & Michael Mulcahy who created an extraordinary cinematic record of the changing social and cultural landscape of North Kerry from the 1970s onwards. Their pioneering work will be the subject of a soon to be opened exhibition at Kerry Writers’ Museum.
Kerry Writers’ Museum – Tickets: €5
Caint, Comhra agus Craic – 7 pm
Bígí linn le haghaidh oíche de scéalta agus filíocht na Gaeilge le Fear an Tí Paddy O’Brien
John B. Keane’s Bar – Free
The Late Session with Bryan Murphy – 9 pm
An evening of story, music and song with Causeway native Bryan Murphy, musician and storyteller in a Late Night concert to open our 2023 Festival.
Kerry Writers’ Museum – Tickets: €10
FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 15
Good Luck & Holy Water: Kerry Folklore & Customs – 11 am
A lecture by historian Tom Dillon. Audience members are invited to share their stories of lucky superstitions.
Kerry Writers’ Museum – Tickets: €5
Lunchtime Theatre: Robert Service: Bard of the Yukon – 1.00 pm
A one-man story-play of the life, times and rhymes of the famous Bard presented by Mike O’Mahony.
St. John’s Theatre – Tickets: €10
Stories & Poetry at the Castle – 3.30 pm
The majestic Listowel Castle is our backdrop for this ‘open-mic’ session celebrating the spoken word hosted by poet John McGrath.
Listowel Castle Amphitheatre – Free Admission
Story Pub Trail – 7 to 9 pm
Visit some of Listowel’s finest hostelries to hear drama, story and song presented by the Abbeyside Players.
Departs from the John B. Keane statue – Free
The Late Session – 9.30 pm
Join local storyteller Sonny Egan, fresh from his All-Ireland win at Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann, with acclaimed Cork storyteller Maria Gillen, and Cavan legend Patsy McDermott.
Kerry Writers’ Museum – Tickets: €10
SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 16
Story Walk – 10 am
Travel along the banks of the River Feale with Listowel ranconteur Owen McMahon to hear legendary tales of this majestic waterway.
Departs from Kerry Writers’ Museum – Tickets: €5
Writing Humorous Verse Workshop – 10 am to 12 noon
This is your chance to hone your comedic writing skills and discover the art of crafting hilarious verses! With her expertise and passion Sonia Elston will guide you through the techniques to tickle funny bones and leave your audience in stitches! Whether you are a seasoned poet or just starting to explore the world of verse, this workshop is open to all levels of experience.
Kerry Writers’ Museum – Tickets: €20
Storytelling Workshop – 11 am to 1 pm
Storytelling is one of our oldest and most potent art forms. In this interactive, and creative workshop Maria Buckley Whatton will be exploring the gems of this oral tradition that can be applied to any story you are currently developing. A beguiling traditional tale (told by Maria) will act as the starting point for the session. You will take part in practical methods that will help in character development, dialogue, perspective and narrative in any story you are working on.
St. John’s Theatre – Tickets: €20
Lunchtime Yarns – 1 pm
An ‘open-mic’ session of humorous stories and verse with Sonia Elston and Paddy O’Brien.
Kerry Writers’ Museum – Tickets: €5
Meet our Young Tellers – 2.30 pm
A chance to hear Kerry’s new generation of storytellers including Anthony Hanlon, Thanh Creed and Rian Gleeson.
St. John’s Theatre – Tickets: €5
Story Swap at John Bs – 4 to 6 pm
Join Fear an Tí Billy Keane for an afternoon of stories, verse, music and song in the world famous hostelry.
John B. Keane’s Bar – Free Admission
The Late Session – 8 pm
Listowel storytelling legend Frances Kennedy will be joined by award winning Liverpudlian storyteller Maria Buckley Whatton and Limerick’s Pat McAuliffe for an evening of side splitting stories.
Kerry Writers’ Museum – Tickets: €10
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 17
Story & History Tour – 10 am
Journey with us through the North Kerry countryside to visit some of Ireland’s finest historical sites and hear stories of fact & fiction.
Departs from The Square – Tickets: €10
Poetry & Stories in the Park – 1 to 3.15 pm
An ‘open-mic’ session with poet Mike Gallagher & special guest Dominic Bennett, featuring a piano recital by Mick Jones.
Kerry Writers’ Museum – Free Admission (Donation)
Slán Abhaile – 3.30 to 6.30 pm
We close our festival with a gathering of all our tellers and invited guests with our regular performers from Listowel Rambling House. Fear an Tí – Johnny McElligott.
Kerry Writers’ Museum – Free Admission (Donation)
Click HERE to find out more about our local and visiting artists at Listowel International Storytelling Festival 2023
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