Celebrating 25 Years of Kerry Writers’ Museum

On a memorable summer evening in Listowel, friends, supporters, volunteers, artists, writers, musicians, board members and community partners gathered to celebrate a remarkable milestone — the 25th anniversary of Kerry Writers’ Museum.

The evening was filled with stories, memories, music and reflection, honouring not only the museum’s achievements over the past quarter century but also the many people whose dedication, vision and hard work have helped shape its journey.

Chairperson David Browne opened proceedings with warmth and humour, joking about visitors often asking, “Can you tell us how to get to Shanghai?” — a playful nod to the frequent mispronunciation of The Seanchai. Behind the laughter was a heartfelt acknowledgement of the many people who have contributed to the museum’s success. David paid tribute to members of the Seanchai board and committee, recognising the countless hours of voluntary work and commitment that have sustained the organisation over the years. He also expressed his enthusiasm for working together into the future as the museum continues to grow and evolve.

PHOTO | Left to right: Collette O’Connor, Eamon Ó Murchú, Mike Sheehan, Bernie Carmody, Jimmy Deenihan, Cara Trant, David Browne, Shay O’Donovan, Marion Walsh and Gabriel Fitzmaurice pictured with limited-edition prints of Michael O’Connor’s Celtic Breastplate, presented during the anniversary celebrations.

A recurring theme throughout the evening was the importance of people. Board member Marion Walsh described Executive Director Cara Trant as “the lifeblood of the museum,” recognising her energy, leadership and remarkable ability to secure vital funding and grants that have helped support the museum’s development. Cara’s connection to Kerry Writers’ Museum spans the full 25 years of its existence — she has been part of its story since the very beginning. Cara herself reflected on the realities of working in the arts, noting that for many involved in the sector, it is “not a career, but a vocation” — a sentiment that resonated deeply with many in attendance.

PHOTO | Collette O’Connor, Cara Trant and Bernie Carmody at the Kerry Writers’ Museum 25th Anniversary celebrations.

The museum’s origins and evolution were also celebrated. Jimmy Deenihan recalled a visit to the Wordsworth Museum at Dove Cottage in England’s Lake District during the 1990s. Inspired by what he experienced there, he began to imagine a literary museum for Kerry that would celebrate the county’s extraordinary writers and storytelling traditions. That vision ultimately helped inspire the creation of Kerry Writers’ Museum, including the much-loved Rivers of Words exhibition and the museum’s five immersive writers’ rooms.

Marion Walsh, who served as Secretary of the original Dublin fundraising committee, paid tribute to the extraordinary effort that helped make the museum a reality. In 1995, Jimmy Deenihan convened a group of the Listowel diaspora in Dublin, chaired by Eamon O hArgain, with the aim of raising funds to purchase the building. The committee organised two sell-out concerts at the National Concert Hall and a Summer Golf Classic at Hollywood Lakes Golf Club, together raising almost £100,000. Marion paid special tribute to Martin McMahon for his tireless work in securing corporate sponsorship, and to fellow committee members Shay O’Donovan, Tadgh Leahy, John Fitzgerald, Éamon O Murchú, Mike Sheahan, Tony Guerin, Flor Healy, Jimmy Bowler, Bryan MacMahon, Kevin Kennelly, Jackie Lavin, and the late Tom Woulfe, the late Bernard Buckley and the late Mary Kelly.

PHOTO | Left: Cara Trant and David Browne present Shay O’Donovan with a limited-edition print of Michael O’Connor’s Celtic Breastplate. Right: Cara Trant and David Browne present Marion Walsh with a limited-edition print of Michael O’Connor’s Celtic Breastplate.

A parallel fundraising effort took place in Limerick, where a dedicated committee worked alongside the Dublin group to support the campaign. Kay Caball, who led that effort, was among those honoured on the evening, along with Paddy Mulvihill, Jimmy Woulfe, Betty Walsh and others.

A particularly special moment of the evening saw a number of individuals associated with the museum’s earliest days honoured for their contribution to its establishment. Éamon O Murchú, Shay O’Donovan, Mike Sheahan, Marion Walsh and Kay Caball were each presented with a beautifully framed limited-edition print of Michael O’Connor’s Celtic Breastplate — a fitting tribute to those whose vision and commitment helped lay the foundations for the museum we know today.

PHOTO | Left: Cara Trant and David Browne present Kay Caball (née Moloney), originally from Listowel with a limited-edition print of Michael O’Connor’s Celtic Breastplate. Right: Cara Trant and David Browne present Mike Sheehan with a limited-edition print of Michael O’Connor’s Celtic Breastplate in recognition of his contribution to Kerry Writers’ Museum.

Poet Gabriel Fitzmaurice shared a story of literary inspiration passed from one generation to another. He spoke of learning Wordsworth’s famous poem Composed upon Westminster Bridge from his teacher Pat Gibbons. Years later, that poem inspired Gabriel’s own work, The Small Square, written while sitting in Listowel’s town square enjoying a coffee and observing the beauty of everyday life unfolding around him. The poem’s closing sentiment — “turning life to art” — captured perfectly the spirit of Kerry Writers’ Museum and the role it continues to play in preserving and celebrating creativity.

PHOTO | Left: Cara Trant and David Browne present Eamon Ó Murchú with a limited-edition print of Michael O’Connor’s Celtic Breastplate in recognition of his contribution to Kerry Writers’ Museum. Right: One generation inspiring the next – Alex Lynch and poet Gabriel Fitzmaurice at the Kerry Writers’ Museum 25th Anniversary celebrations.

Visitors were also treated to a wonderful performance by one of the museum’s experienced tour guides, Angeline O’Donnell. Drawing on the wit and wisdom of Listowel’s literary tradition, she recalled John B. Keane’s famous observation that there are only two kingdoms: “The Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Kerry,” prompting smiles and appreciative laughter from the audience.

PHOTO | Bernie Carmody, Shane Batton, Tiona O’Sullivan of Kerry County Museum, and Cara Trant join Angeline O’Donnell, who delivered a powerful musical performance, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Kerry Writers’ Museum. 

As speeches gave way to music, guests were treated to wonderful performances by Ian O’Shea — musician and board member — and his daughter Hannah, as well as Matt Dean and members of Listowel & Duagh Comhaltas. Their music provided a warm and fitting backdrop to the evening’s celebrations. Comhaltas has been woven into the story of Kerry Writers’ Museum from the very beginning, having made a significant contribution to the museum in its earliest days. That relationship continues to this day — every Saturday morning, the museum comes alive with the sound of traditional Irish music, as the next generation learns their craft within these storied walls. It was the perfect note on which to end an evening rooted in storytelling, heritage and community.

The evening was also an opportunity to recognise the many people who have given their time, talent and dedication to Kerry Writers’ Museum over the years.

Twenty-five years after first opening its doors, Kerry Writers’ Museum continues to celebrate the stories, writers and creative spirit that make Kerry unique. The anniversary was not simply a celebration of the past, but a reminder of the enduring power of literature, storytelling and community — and an opportunity to look forward to the next chapter in the museum’s story.

As the evening demonstrated, Kerry Writers’ Museum remains a place where stories are preserved, shared and discovered — where life continues to be turned into art.