Literary and book festivals in Ireland 2016

Photo credit: Chris Greene

​Whether you’re an author, an editor or a reader (or a combination of all three!), you’re sure to find something of interest in this fantastic choice of literary and book festivals scheduled for 2016 in Ireland. Not only do the festivals offer readings, workshops and signings, they also offer the opportunity to make new friends, and to indulge in all things literary.

Many of the festivals are currently seeking volunteers, so if you haven’t already done so, why not take the plunge and sign up.

​Do you have a favourite literary or book festival that’s not listed below? Please feel free to add it in the comments section. ​

A listing for literary and book festivals in Ireland in 2017 is also available.

March

Doolin Writers’ Weekend 4–6 March, Doolin, Co Clare. @HotelDoolin 

Ennis Book Club Festival 4–6 March, Ennis, Co Clare. @ebcf 
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Mountains to Sea dlr Book Festival 9–13 March, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin. @mountainstosea  ​

April

Éigse Michael Hartnett Festival 14–16 April, Newcastle West, Co Limerick. @EigseMHartnett
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Cúirt International Festival of Literature 17–24 April, Galway City. @CuirtFestival

Towers and Tales Lismore Story Festival 23 April, Lismore, Co Waterford. @TowersandTales

​Cork World Book Fest 19–23 April, Cork City. @WorldBookFest 

May

Waterford Writers’ Weekend 5–8 May, Waterford City. @Wwritersweekend
 
Wexworlds Sci-Fi and Fantasy Fiction Festival 7–8 May, Wexford. @wexworlds
 
Ballymaloe Lit Fest 20–22 May, Shangarry, Co Cork. @Litfestie

International Literature Festival Dublin 21–29 May, Dublin City. @ILFDublin
 
Wexford Literary Festival 27–29 May, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford. @FWexfordLitFest​

June

Listowel Writers’ Week 1–5 June, Listowel, Co Kerry. @Writersweek

Belfast Book Festival 9–19 June, Belfast City. @BelfastBookFest

Festival of Writing and Ideas 10–12 June, Borris, Co Carlow. @Writersweek

Howth Literary Arts Festival 10–12 June, Howth, Co Dublin. @howthlitfest
 
Bloomsday Festival 11–16 June, Dublin City. @bloomsdayfest

Dalkey Book Festival 16–19 June, Dalkey, Co Dublin. @dalkeybookfest
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Immrama – Lismore Festival of Travel Writing 16–19 June, Lismore, Co Waterford. @lismoreimmrama
 
Hay Kells Book Festival 23–26 June, Kells, Co Meath. @HayKells​

July

West Cork Literary Festival 12–18 July, Bantry, Co Cork. @wcorklitfest​

John Hewitt International Summer School 25–30 July, Armagh City. @The_JHS

August

Graiguenamanagh Town of Books Festival 26–28 August, Graiguenamanagh, Co Kilkenny. www.facebook.com/IrelandsBooktown​

September

Cork International Short Story Festival 7–11 September, Cork City. @MunLitCentre​

Aspects Festival 18–25 September, Bangor, Co Down. @aspectsfestival

Write By The Sea Festival 23–25 September, Kilmore Quay, Co Wexford. @write_KQ 

October

Iron Mountain Literature Festival 7–8 October, Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim.
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Red Line Book Festival 12–16 October, Dublin. @RLBFest 

Dalkey Creates Festival 13–16 October, Dalkey, Co Dublin. @DalkeyCreates
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Imran Irish Language Literature Festival 6–16 October, Dublin City. @Feile_IMRAM​

Something Wicked Crime Fiction Festival 28–30 October, Malahide, Co Dublin @somethingwicket 

November

Dublin Book Festival 10–13 November, Dublin. @DublinBookFest ​​

Have I omitted any book or literary festivals in Ireland this year? If so, please feel free to add them (and their website) in the comments section below.

Related articles

Literary and book festivals in Ireland 2019
​Literary and book festivals in Ireland 2018
Literary and book festivals in Ireland 2017

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