Kerry Writers
The Writers of Kerry
DISCOVER
Kerry Writers
The writers of Kerry have penned their own lasting impression on Ireland’s literary & cultural landscape. The nest of writers in Listowel & North Kerry, along with writers in the Irish language from the Great Blasket Island have become international best sellers. At Kerry Writers’ Museum we celebrate the lives and work of five of Kerry’s most acclaimed writers. Here you will discover more detailed information about each.
Kerry Writers
Meet the Writers
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Brendan Kennelly
BORN 1936, Ballylongford
Brendan Kennelly, one of Ireland’s most popular poets, novelists, dramatists, and academics, was born in Ballylongford on April 17th, 1936. His native place inspired his writing with the village crossroads giving the title to his first novel, The Crooked Cross, in 1963. The book deals with the consequences of emigration on a Kerry village while his poem ‘Lislaughtin Abbey’ describes the ruin in Kennelly’s unique poetic muse – a place he also mentions in ‘I see you dancing, Father’ as the site of his father’s grave.
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John B. Keane
BORN 1928, LISTOWEL
John B. Keane, dramatist, novelist, poet and raconteur, was born on 21 July 1928 in Listowel, where he resided with his wife Mary over their much-frequented public house, until his death. John B. Keane has contributed greatly to both local and national theatrical life. His first play, Sive, presented by the Listowel Drama Group, won the All-Ireland Amateur Drama Festival in 1959, and its enormous impact immediately made Keane’s reputation. Sive is concerned with the traditional theme of the made marriage. It was followed in 1960 by Sharon’s Grave, one of the author’s favourite plays.
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Bryan Macmahon
BORN 1909, listowel
Bryan MacMahon or as he was more affectionately known in Listowel, The Master, as the ‘All-seein’ God’ bestowed a prolific literary talent on 29 September 1909 to the north Kerry town. Bryan attended Listowel Boys’ National School, St. Michael’s College, Listowel, and St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra. In 1936 he married Kitty Ryan, with whom he had five sons. He later became the principal teacher of Scoil Réalta na Maidine, Listowel.
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Maurice Walsh
BORN 1879, LISTOWEL
Maurice Walsh, novelist and short story writer was born in the parish of Ballydonoghue, just outside Listowel on 2nd May 1879. He was the third child of ten and the first son born to John Walsh, a local farmer, and his wife Elizabeth Buckley who lived in a three-roomed thatched farmhouse. John Walsh’s main interests were books and horses and he himself did little about the farm, preferring to have a hired man. The most famous of these was Paddy Bawn Enright, whose name was to be immortalised by Maurice Walsh in his story The Quiet Man (though the name was not used in the movie version).
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George Fitzmaurice
BORN 1877, LISTOWEL
George Fitzmaurice was born in 1877 in the family home, Bedford House, just outside Listowel on the Ballylongford road. With his father’s death in 1891, the family was forced to move to a farmhouse in Kilcara, outside the village of Duagh. The circumstances surrounding the family meant none of its members was ever quite considered of the landed class, and neither did they fit in as locals. Local stories tell of ‘Master George’ being seen composing his plays in the woods, in the parlour of his home, as well as in a large 15 acre top field on their farm. His earliest writings were published in Dublin weeklies between 1900 and 1907.
tours
Discover the stories and immerse yourself in the rich literary history of Kerry and book a tour today.
REVIEWS
What people are saying about us
Popped in here to escape the rain and get a cup of tea and cake. Very reasonable prices and great service. Then noticed the little hare jumping around on the wall when I used the toilets! Looked very intriguing and prompted us all to buy tickets to the museum. Wow! So worth it as the exhibits and the way it was presented was lovely, really unusual. So informative and so different to other museums. Really good value for money and a real highlight to the town.
Great Service (Trip Advisor Review)
– March, 2023
Most impressive is how ingrained in both The Creative & local communities The Seanchaí is, from the workshops, coffee mornings & plain old drop ins, To Book launches, poetry recitals, projects & engagements with the local schools. The Seanchaí is a much loved and universally treasured cultural icon. By the inhabitants of Listowel, most of Co. Kerry and West Limerick.
Mark Ollerhead (Google Review)
– March, 2023
We had requested the 30-minute tour, but happily lingered for an hour longer than we had planned. As we exited, we looked at each other and laughed out loud at our good fortune. We could have so easily missed this experience that left us feeling moved, intrigued and a bit more educated about the Kerry writers. In our delight, we failed to tip our guide but I will be going to your donations page to make a modest pledge in gratitude for our host whose name we did not record to memory.
Jane Braswell (Google Review)
– March, 2023
Our visit to the Kerry Writers Museum was a very memorable experience from beginning to end. Cara, who was working at the centre that day, was very welcoming and most helpful. The exhibition of the Kerry writers was imaginative and most engaging. The seanchai relating the background stories each writer was magic! A wonderful experience all round.
Cara (Google Review)
– May, 2021
This museum has been developed with great care and meticulous attention to detail. The audio elements are matched perfectly to the installations which are beautifully presented. The option to activate the audio guides in each room without resorting to the use of handheld devices worked very well. This is a must see/hear for anyone with an interest in Irish writing. There is also a little coffee shop and gifts on sale.
Beautifully Curated (Trip Advisor Review)
– July, 2019