The Summer Literary Festival Season Is Here!

The days are longer and November seems far, far away. But, if you have the DBF blues, don’t fret, there is an amazing calendar of Literary Festivals taking place throughout the summer and all over the country to satiate your bookish appetites.

May

Maria Edgeworth Festival

When: 6-8th May
Where: Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford

From its initial beginnings over twenty five years ago the annual Maria Edgeworth Festival has grown to incorporate short story competitions and workshops, readings, historical trails, musical performances, nature walks, theatre performances and an 18th Century Costume Tea Party.  This year’s programme features June Caldwell, John McAuliffe and many more…

Website: https://mariaedgeworthcenter.com

Cork International Poetry Festival

When: 18 – 21st May
Where: Cork City

The Cork International Poetry Festival is brought to you by the Munster Literature Centre.

Website: https://www.corkpoetryfest.net/

International Literary Festival Dublin

When: 19-29th May
Where: Merrion Square, Dublin

Running since 1998, ILFD has brought some of the world’s finest writers together and is home to the International Dublin Literary Award. Events are centred around Dublin’s Merrion Square and highlights include Colm Tóibín, Louise O’Neill, Zine Making Workshops and City Foraging Walks.

Website: https://ilfdublin.com

June

Listowel Writers’ Week

When: 1-5th June
Where: Listowel, Co. Kerry

Listowel Writers’ Week is Ireland’s oldest Literary and Arts Festival, where writers, artists and poets gather in the beautiful heritage town Listowel, County Kerry. The Festival promotes all genres and creates an environment in which writers and readers gather to celebrate the written word together. At the heart of the annual celebration is a commitment to developing and promoting writing talent where works are showcased through literary panel discussions, moderated talks, poetry readings, interviews, cultural tours, walks and more.

Website: https://writersweek.ie

Goldsmith International Literary Festival

When: 3-5th June
Where: Ballymahon, Co. Longford

The Goldsmith International Literary Festival is the third longest running festival of its type in Ireland and takes place over the June Bank Holiday. Founded to celebrate the literary genius of Oliver Goldsmith, it has, over the years, explored many aspects of his life, society, and writings. A huge variety of renowned critics, politicians, poets, commentators and academics have stimulated audiences over the years and it should be a entry in any literature lover’s diary…

Website: https://olivergoldsmithfestival.com

Belfast Book Festival

When: 10-19th June
Where: The Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast

The Belfast Book Festival is Northern Ireland’s leading literary festival and, since its inception in 2010, has grown from strength to strength. Now in its 12th year, the annual June event is a unique, diverse and highly creative mix of events that celebrates bestselling authors and award-winning poetry and spoken word artists, features well-known personalities and journalists, and showcases the wealth of local talent that defines Belfast’s thriving literary community.

Website: https://belfastbookfestival.com

Borris House Festival of Writing and Ideas

When: 11-13th June
Where: Borris, Co. Carlow

2022 will be the tenth edition of Borris House Festival of Writing & Ideas. The aspiration behind the weekend is that ideas captured in writing of all kinds are exchanged. There are some big names lined up for this year’s renewal such as Anne Enright, Steve Coogan, Max Porter, Jeremy Irons and Maija Sofia.

Website: https://festivalofwritingandideas.com

Bloomsday Festival

When: 11-16th June
Where: Dublin

Ulysses is 100 this year which means this renewal of Bloomsday promises to be something spectacular! The Bloomsday Festival is produced and programmed by the the James Joyce Centre, and the Centre also aims to promote all community celebrations of Bloomsday in Dublin.

Website: http://www.bloomsdayfestival.ie

Dalkey Book Festival

When: 16-19th June
Where: Dalkey, Co. Dublin

Founded in 2010 by Sian Smyth and David McWilliams, Dalkey Book Festival celebrates and fosters literary talent in Ireland as well as hosting some of the world’s leading writers and thinkers. Pulling from the strong literary heritage and natural beauty of Dalkey the annual festival has welcomed internationally renowned writers, world leaders, Oscar winners and Nobel Laureates. Highlights from this year’s programme include: Annie Mac, Simon Schama, Sarah Winman.

Website: https://www.dalkeybookfestival.org

IMMRAMA – Festival of Travel Writing

When: 16-19th June
Where: Lismore, Co. Waterford

Immrama Festival is been dedicated to the art of Travel Writing, Good Music, and Fine Entertainment since its inception. Over the centuries many people have made journeys to and from Lismore and highlights of this year include Michael Smith, Billy Keane and Turtle Bunbury.

Website: https://lismore-immrama.com

Hinterland Festival

When: 23-26th June
Where: Kells, Co. Meath

The Hinterland Festival, formally Hay, is a celebration of literature and arts held in Kells each summer. Hinterland celebrates great writing from poets and scientists, lyricists and comedians, novelists and environmentalists. Presenting a blend of literature, history, politics, sport, music, magic and all round fun. Guests this year include the award-winning detective fiction writer Val McDermid, Joy Division/New Order percussionist Stephen Morris, actor and writer Evanna Lynch (Luna Lovegood in the Harry Potter series), RTÉ GAA commentator Marty Morrissey and Irish Times columnist Fintan O’Toole.

Website: https://www.hinterland.ie

July

Wexford Literary Arts Festival

When: 1-3rd July
Where: Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford

The Wexford Literary Festival was founded in 2012 and boasts an impressive literary Awards programme sponsored by Community Development, Wexford County Council. This includes the Colm Tóibín International Short Story Award, Anthony Cronin International Poetry Award, Billy Roche International Short Play Award, Eileen Gray Window Display Award and in 2019, the Denis Collins Visual Arts Award and the Cursed Murphy Spoken Word Award. The festival continues to grow each year with participation of established as well as emerging writers across many genres who inspire and entertain attendees of all ages in a casual friendly way.

Website: http://www.wexfordliteraryfestival.com

West Cork Literary Festival

When: 8-15th July
Where: Bantry, Co. Cork

The West Cork Literary Festival is a week-long celebration of writing and reading with a varied and extensive programme. Famous international and Irish writers, as well as established and emerging writers, gather in Bantry every year. There are master classes in various genre, readings and workshops, as well as interviews with authors, book launches and a myriad of other events.

Website: https://www.westcorkmusic.ie/literary-festival/

August

TitanCon

When: 5-7th August
Where: Belfast, Co. Antrim

TitanCon originated as a collaboration between several different groups who joined together to reach a common goal. On one side was the Brotherhood Without Banners (BWB) who wanted to put on a fan convention for Game of Thrones in Belfast and on the other was Belfast SF/F society The Other Ones who wanted to put on a SF/F convention in Belfast. And on the third side – did I mention there are three sides? – was Arkham Gaming Centre and TableTopNorth who wanted to put on a gaming convention in Belfast. The collaboration began on a Sunday evening in Dublin at Octocon 2010

Website: https://titancon.com

Ennistymon Book Town Festival

When: 27-28th August
Where: Ennistymon, Co. Clare

A weekend of pop-up bookshops, readings, launches, literary events and bookish fun in beautiful, Ennistymon, Co Clare.

Website: https://www.facebook.com/ennistymonbooktown/about/?ref=page_internal