Thursday May 29th
Listowel’s Living Legacy: A Stroll Through Song, Story & History
A literary and Historical walking tour of Listowel, including poetry readings and performances of a selection of the iconic songs of the town. Presented by Jimmy Deenihan and local historian Vincent Carmody.
Departs from the Listowel Arms Hotel at 10 am
This is a free event. No booking required.
Our Land, Our Story
Listowel Visual Artists’ Collective presents Our Land, Our Story, a powerful collaborative exhibition uniting local artists, poets, and writers. Launching during Listowel Literary Festival 2025, this unique showcase celebrates the deep connections between art, literature, and place. Official opening by Billy Keane.
St. John’s Theatre & Arts Centre at 10 am
This is a free event. No booking required.
The Papers of Maurice Fitzgerald – Volumes I and II
Maurice Fitzgerald (1772-1849), from Ballinruddery, a few miles east of Listowel, was the 18th Knight of Kerry. After his father’s death in 1781, Maurice and his brother and sister were brought up by their widowed mother, Catherine. With his own wife Maria, they raised their much larger family in Ballinruddery and it was to Ballinruddery that he regularly returned during his 35 years as a member of the College Green and Westminster parliaments.
Kerry Writers’ Museum at 11 am
Dic Walsh, Rud in Eashnamh
Ger moves to the Gaeltacht to make a film about his brother, who died by suicide 10 years earlier. As he learns about struggles in the local fishing industry and his brother’s role as a fisheries inspector, Ger begins to suspect the community of foul play. Adapted from his novel, Dic Walsh will present a staged reading of this new work.
Christy’s ‘The Well’ Bar at 12 noon
This is a free event. No booking required.
The John B. Keane Memorial Lecture
John B. Keane’s legacy is not only one of artistic achievement but also of cultural advocacy. He understood the power of literature and theatre to shape society, challenge norms, and preserve the essence of Irish identity.
This inaugural lecture will be delivered by Jimmy Murphy, a Dublin-based playwright with a string of works to his name, not least The Kings of the Kilburn High Road.
St. John’s Theatre & Arts Centre at 1 pm
The County Exchange
The County Exchange is a residency that brings experimental performance makers from both Ireland and New York to Listowel for two weeks with a return week in New York hosted by the Irish Arts Center.
Kelly Copper and Pavol Liska of Nature Theatre of Oklahoma will be mentoring the group which consists of Ilan Bachrach, Kate Heffernan, Nóra Ní Analuain Fay, Lisa Fagan, Kristina Wong, Cerys Coburn and Colm Thomas Higgins.
Christy’s ‘The Well’ Bar at 1.30 pm
This is a free event. No booking required.
O’Connell at Clontarf
On this, the 230th anniversary of the Liberator’s birth, Eoghan Harris reflects on Daniel O’Connell’s dilemma when the authorities prescribed the mass repeal meeting planned for Clontarf on the 8th of October 1843.
With up to a million people enroute to the historic site would O’Connell face down the military and risk a massacre, or would he contrive to walk the line of legality and back down.
Harris has studied this event very closely and draws some interesting comparison with contemporary events and attitudes.
St. John’s Theatre & Arts Centre at 2.30 pm
Poetry Trio
A sumptuous poetic treat with three well-established poets. Mark Granier, author of five collections of poetry and recipient of three Arts Council Bursaries, the Vincent Buckley Poetry Prize and a Patrick and Katherine Kavanagh Fellowship; Peter Sirr, whose nine collections of poetry have been published by Gallery Press and whose awards include the O’Shaughnessy Award for Poetry and the Michael Hartnett Award; and Enda Wyley, author of five collections of poetry, and recipient of the Vincent Buckley Poetry Prize, and the Patrick and Katherine Kavanagh Fellowship.
Kerry Writers’ Museum at 3 pm
Searching for Home
Roisin Meaney talks to Sophie Grenham about her new novel Moving On, structured around her protagonist’s relocations. In addition to writing 22 books, Roisin has moved house more than 20 times herself. Born in Listowel, reared in Limerick, and also lived in Zimbabwe, London, San Francisco and Dublin, Roisin discusses her many house moves and the ones which meant the most to her. Roisin is currently house hunting and considers the concept of “home” – Is it where you’re from or is it what you make it?
Listowel Arms Hotel at 4.30 pm
Stories that Stay
Join Paul McVeigh and Andrew Meehan as they discuss their latest works with Carol Drinkwater. The power of storytelling, their diverse genres, and everything from dark humour and deep emotion to gripping tales of mystery and personal discovery will be explored by the trio.
St. John’s Theatre & Arts Centre at 5.30 pm
From Beara to Brazil: How the search for belonging shapes our stories
Chauvery Madhavan and Patrick Holloway introduce their new novels discussing the shared themes of personal identity and the search for a sense of belonging. Cauvery Madhavan’s fourth novel, The Inheritance, weaves the past and recent history into a tale of love, acceptance, forgiveness and belonging. The Language of Remembering by Patrick Holloway is a deeply moving novel that explores the bonds between a mother and son as they reconnect through memory and past traumas. In conversation with Marie Gethens and in association with Irish PEN.
Listowel Arms Hotel at 6.30 pm
Poetry: Pádraig Ó Tuama & John O’Donnell
John O’Donnell and Pádraig Ó Tuama weave rich, intricate poetry that examines the human condition. They read from their recent works and discuss the loss, healing, and the transformative power of language that resonates through their poems.
The Plaza Centre at 7.30 pm
Theatre: Sharon’s Grave
Athea Drama Group presents Sharon’s Grave by John B Keane. This deeply lyrical folk play, set on an Atlantic headland at the mercy of wind and rain, tells the tale of Trassie Conlee’s fight to protect both herself and her brother Neelus from the menace of her ruthless cousin Deezie Conlee, one of Keane’s most extraordinary theatrical creations. The devious and menacing paraplegic Deezie has locked her sights on inheriting a farm at all costs, leading to tragedy.
St. John’s Theatre & Arts Centre at 8 pm
Listowel Rambling House
Join us for Listowel Rambling House where stories are shared, music is played, and everyone’s welcome. This much-loved evening celebrates Irish culture through live traditional music, storytelling, and the kind of humour that brings people together. It’s a celebration of community, heritage, and the joy of a good yarn or a lively tune. Bring a friend, bring the family, or come as you are for a night that honours the old ways and keeps them alive.
Kerry Writers’ Museum at 8 pm
This is a free event. No booking required.
Poets’ Corner
Christy’s Bar in The Square, is the venue for the friendliest and best open mic poetry session in Ireland! Chancers, charmers, and chanters are all welcome. Bring your read and unread poems. First-time readers and seasoned veterans of the spoken word are welcome, ‘to inspire, entertain, intrigue and intone.’ With MC extraordinaire Seán Lyons.
Christy’s ‘The Well’ Bar at 9 pm
This is a free event. No booking required.
Words & Music of Clare with Niall Williams & Mike Hanrahan
Booker-nominated author Niall Williams and acclaimed musician Mike Hanrahan come together for an unforgettable evening of readings and music. Niall will read from his new novel Time of the Child, while Mike, former member of Stockton’s Wing, author, and Clare man, will weave his musical magic throughout the event.
Listowel Arms Hotel at 9 pm
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