Various Locations, Bantry, West Cork: 11-18 July 2025
The West Cork Literary Festival, is a week-long celebration of writing and reading, with a varied and extensive programme which takes place in and around the town of Bantry from 11-18 July. A firmly established highlight of the Irish Literary calendar, famous Irish and international writers, as well as established and emerging writers, gather each year. There are master classes, readings, and workshops, as well as interviews with authors, book launches, and a myriad of other events.
Visitors to the festival will find loads to inspire and entertain them this summer. Richard E. Grant, Eimear McBride, Graham Norton, Ruth Padel, Neil Jordan, Katherine May, Alan Hollinghurst, Carol Drinkwater, Sarah Moss, Seán Ronayne, Patricia Forde, John Creedon, Claire Kilroy, Ferdia Lennon, Vona Groarke, Rafael Olympio, Salena Godden, Will Sliney and Wendy Erskine are just some of the high-profile writers making the trip to West Cork for the Festival. The festival will also present works in translation from Dutch, Flemish, Swedish, French and German as well as a series of professional development sessions for emerging writers in partnership with the Irish Writers Centre and Children’s Books Ireland amongst other. There is an exciting line-up of free events for children and families across the week.
“We’re so excited to be able to bring all of these wonderful writers and events to West Cork this summer,” says festival director Eimear O’Herlihy. “It’s been another bumper year for publishing and Irish writers continue to shine. We’ve a jam-packed schedule of events from three-day writing workshops to masterclasses, readings by international and Irish authors with a good mix of Cork talent, an increased focus on translated literature, a Pop Up Gaeltacht, our annual trip to Whiddy Island, showcases of new and emerging writers and yoga on the lawn of Bantry House and a sea swim for those who need a little time out. We’ve got novelists, short story writers, essayists, poets, illustrators, songwriters, nature writers, historians and so much more. Our events for children and young people are all free of charge and I hope that young people and families will take this opportunity to join the fun and discover a love of reading.”
Priority booking for Festival Friends is now open and general booking will open on Thursday 10 April at 10am via http://www.westcorkmusic.ie/LFProgramme or (0)27 527 88
