Photo credit: Chris Greene
Here's a comprehensive list of literary, book, writing and reading festivals throughout the island of Ireland in 2020. I've done the research so you don't have to ... all you have to do is decide which festivals to go to!
Some festivals haven't published their 2020 dates yet, so I've given their 2019 dates as a guide (indicated by an *) for now. I'll update this list when those 2020 dates are announced. If your festival isn't included in my list and you would like it to be, please email the details to me at: info@marymccauleyproofreading.com.
Some festivals haven't published their 2020 dates yet, so I've given their 2019 dates as a guide (indicated by an *) for now. I'll update this list when those 2020 dates are announced. If your festival isn't included in my list and you would like it to be, please email the details to me at: info@marymccauleyproofreading.com.
January
February
Limerick Literary Festival 21–23 February, Limerick @kobweekend
March
Ennis Book Club Festival 6–8 March, Ennis, Co Clare @ebcf
Belfast Children's Festival, 6–11 March, Belfast @Young_at_Art
NOIRELAND International Crime Fiction Festival 28 March, Belfast @NOIRELANDfest
Kanturk Arts Festival 13–17 March, Kanturk, Co Cork @KanturkArts
Ballydonoghue Bardic Festival 19–22 March Ballydonoghue/Lisselton, Co Kerry Facebook/BallydonoghueBardicFestival
Cork International Poetry Festival 24–28 March, Cork @MunLitCentre
Mountains to Sea dlr Book Festival 26–29 March, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin
@mountainstosea
Belfast Children's Festival, 6–11 March, Belfast @Young_at_Art
NOIRELAND International Crime Fiction Festival 28 March, Belfast @NOIRELANDfest
Kanturk Arts Festival 13–17 March, Kanturk, Co Cork @KanturkArts
Ballydonoghue Bardic Festival 19–22 March Ballydonoghue/Lisselton, Co Kerry Facebook/BallydonoghueBardicFestival
Cork International Poetry Festival 24–28 March, Cork @MunLitCentre
Mountains to Sea dlr Book Festival 26–29 March, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin
@mountainstosea
April
Dublin: One City One Book 1–30 April, Dublin @1city1book
Franco-Irish Literary Festival 3–5 April, Dublin @afdublin
Brewery Lane Writers' Weekend 17–19 April, Carrickon Suir, Co Tipperary @BrewerLaneT
Cúirt International Festival of Literature 20–25 April, Galway @CuirtFestival
Cork World Book Fest 21–26 April, Cork @WorldBookFest
Hillsborough Festival of Literature & Ideas 24–26 April, Hillsborough, Co Down @The_JHS
Strokestown International Poetry Festival 30 April–4 May, Strokestown,
Co Roscommon @Strokestownpoem
Franco-Irish Literary Festival 3–5 April, Dublin @afdublin
Brewery Lane Writers' Weekend 17–19 April, Carrickon Suir, Co Tipperary @BrewerLaneT
Cúirt International Festival of Literature 20–25 April, Galway @CuirtFestival
Cork World Book Fest 21–26 April, Cork @WorldBookFest
Hillsborough Festival of Literature & Ideas 24–26 April, Hillsborough, Co Down @The_JHS
Strokestown International Poetry Festival 30 April–4 May, Strokestown,
Co Roscommon @Strokestownpoem
May
Strokestown International Poetry Festival 30 April–4 May, Strokestown,
Co Roscommon @Strokestownpoem
Towers and Tales Lismore Story Festival 1–2 May, Lismore, Co Waterford
@TowersandTales
Annual Heinrich Böll Memorial Weekend 1–3 May, Dugort, Achill Island, Co Mayo Facebook\AchillHeinrich BöllAssociation
Marie Edgeworth Literary Festival 4–10 May, Edgeworthstown, Longford @edgeworthsoc
International Literature Festival Dublin 15–24 May, Dublin @ILFDublin
Padraic Colum International Literary Festival 15–16 May, Longford @CreativeLongfd
Ennistymon Book Town Festival 23–24 May, Ennistymon, Co Clare @BooksEnnistymon
Listowel Writers’ Week 27–31 May, Listowel, Co Kerry @Writersweek
Goldsmith International Literary Festival 29–31 May, various locations in Co Longford @Goldsmithfest
Co Roscommon @Strokestownpoem
Towers and Tales Lismore Story Festival 1–2 May, Lismore, Co Waterford
@TowersandTales
Annual Heinrich Böll Memorial Weekend 1–3 May, Dugort, Achill Island, Co Mayo Facebook\AchillHeinrich BöllAssociation
Marie Edgeworth Literary Festival 4–10 May, Edgeworthstown, Longford @edgeworthsoc
International Literature Festival Dublin 15–24 May, Dublin @ILFDublin
Padraic Colum International Literary Festival 15–16 May, Longford @CreativeLongfd
Ennistymon Book Town Festival 23–24 May, Ennistymon, Co Clare @BooksEnnistymon
Listowel Writers’ Week 27–31 May, Listowel, Co Kerry @Writersweek
Goldsmith International Literary Festival 29–31 May, various locations in Co Longford @Goldsmithfest
June
Immrama – Lismore Festival of Travel Writing is taking a break this year but hopes to return next year, Lismore, Co Waterford @lismoreimmrama
Belfast Book Festival 5–14 June, Belfast @BelfastBookFest
Bloomsday Festival 11–16 June, Dublin @bloomsdayfest
Festival of Writing and Ideas 12–14 June, Borris, Co Carlow @Writingandideas
Dalkey Book Festival 18–21 June, Dalkey, Co Dublin @dalkeybookfest
International Dublin Writers' Festival 19–21 June, Dublin @YourNewBooks
The Shaking Bog Nature Writing Festival 22–23 June*, Glencree Valley, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow @the shakingbog
Hinterland Festival of Literature and Arts 25–28 June, Kells, Co Meath @HinterlandKells
Belfast Book Festival 5–14 June, Belfast @BelfastBookFest
Bloomsday Festival 11–16 June, Dublin @bloomsdayfest
Festival of Writing and Ideas 12–14 June, Borris, Co Carlow @Writingandideas
Dalkey Book Festival 18–21 June, Dalkey, Co Dublin @dalkeybookfest
International Dublin Writers' Festival 19–21 June, Dublin @YourNewBooks
The Shaking Bog Nature Writing Festival 22–23 June*, Glencree Valley, Enniskerry, Co Wicklow @the shakingbog
Hinterland Festival of Literature and Arts 25–28 June, Kells, Co Meath @HinterlandKells
July
Wexford Literary Festival 2–5 July, Enniscorthy, Co Wexford @WexfordLitFest
Allihies Inspires Festival 3–5 July, Allihies village, Beara, Co Cork @Allihiesinspire
West Cork Literary Festival 10–17 July, Bantry, Co Cork @wcorklitfest
John Hewitt Society International Summer School last week of July, Armagh @The_JHS
Blueway Poetry Festival 31 July–2 August Lismore, Co Waterford @BluewayPoetry
Allihies Inspires Festival 3–5 July, Allihies village, Beara, Co Cork @Allihiesinspire
West Cork Literary Festival 10–17 July, Bantry, Co Cork @wcorklitfest
John Hewitt Society International Summer School last week of July, Armagh @The_JHS
Blueway Poetry Festival 31 July–2 August Lismore, Co Waterford @BluewayPoetry
August
Blueway Poetry Festival 31 July–2 August Lismore, Co Waterford @BluewayPoetry
Graiguenamanagh Town of Books Festival 23–25 August*, Graiguenamanagh,
Co Kilkenny Facebook/IrelandsBooktown
Wexworlds Sci-Fi and Fantasy Fiction Festival 24–25 August*, Wexford @wexworlds
TitanCon, science fiction and fantasy literature festival, 28–30 August, Belfast @TitanConBelfast
Graiguenamanagh Town of Books Festival 23–25 August*, Graiguenamanagh,
Co Kilkenny Facebook/IrelandsBooktown
Wexworlds Sci-Fi and Fantasy Fiction Festival 24–25 August*, Wexford @wexworlds
TitanCon, science fiction and fantasy literature festival, 28–30 August, Belfast @TitanConBelfast
September
The Write Time Festival, 1–30 September*, Dublin @fingallibraries
Féile Fidelma Mystery Fiction Weekend 17–20 September, Cashel, Co Tipperary @Cashelartsfest
Bray Literary Festival 18–20 September, Bray, Co Wicklow @braylitfest
Children's Books Ireland International Conference 19–20 September, Dublin @KidsBooksIrel
Cork International Short Story Festival 23–26 September, Cork @MunLitCentre
Aspects Festival 23 September–4 October, Bangor, Co Down @aspectsfestival
Write By The Sea Festival 25–27 September, Kilmore Quay, Co Wexford @write_KQ
Féile Fidelma Mystery Fiction Weekend 17–20 September, Cashel, Co Tipperary @Cashelartsfest
Bray Literary Festival 18–20 September, Bray, Co Wicklow @braylitfest
Children's Books Ireland International Conference 19–20 September, Dublin @KidsBooksIrel
Cork International Short Story Festival 23–26 September, Cork @MunLitCentre
Aspects Festival 23 September–4 October, Bangor, Co Down @aspectsfestival
Write By The Sea Festival 25–27 September, Kilmore Quay, Co Wexford @write_KQ
October
Aspects Festival 23 September–4 October, Bangor, Co Down @aspectsfestival
Words by Water, Kinsale Literary Festival, 1–4 October, Kinsale, Co Cork
@WordsByWater
Kildare Readers Festival 1–18 October, throughout Co Kildare @KildareReaders
Children's Book Festival, 1–31 October*, Wexford @wexlibraries
Echoes: Maeve Binchy and Irish Writers Festival 2–4 October, Dalkey, Co Dublin @echoesdalkey
Iron Mountain Literature Festival 3–4 October, Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim Facebook/IronMountainFestival
Éigse Michael Hartnett Festival 1–3 October, Newcastle West, Co Limerick @EigseMHartnett
Dromineer Nenagh Literary Festival 3–6 October*, Dromineer, Nenagh,
Co Tipperary @DNLitFest
Imram Irish Language Literature Festival 4–26 October*, Dublin @Feile_IMRAM
Bookville Festival Kilkenny 12–18 October, throughout Co Kilkenny @BookvilleKK
Red Line Book Festival 12–18 October, Dublin @RedLineBookFest
Octocon, the National Irish Science Fiction Convention 9–11 October, Dublin @Octocon
Omagh Literary Festival: Honouring Benedict Kiely 9–11 October, Omagh, Co Tyrone @kiely_weekend
ISLA (Irish, Spanish and Latin American) Literary Festival 17–18 October*, Dublin @ICDublin
Bram Stoker Festival 23–26 October, Dublin @bramstokerdub
Waterford Writers’ Weekend (part of the Imagine Arts Festival) 25–27 October*, Waterford @Wwritersweekend @Imagine_Fest
Words by Water, Kinsale Literary Festival, 1–4 October, Kinsale, Co Cork
@WordsByWater
Kildare Readers Festival 1–18 October, throughout Co Kildare @KildareReaders
Children's Book Festival, 1–31 October*, Wexford @wexlibraries
Echoes: Maeve Binchy and Irish Writers Festival 2–4 October, Dalkey, Co Dublin @echoesdalkey
Iron Mountain Literature Festival 3–4 October, Carrick on Shannon, Co Leitrim Facebook/IronMountainFestival
Éigse Michael Hartnett Festival 1–3 October, Newcastle West, Co Limerick @EigseMHartnett
Dromineer Nenagh Literary Festival 3–6 October*, Dromineer, Nenagh,
Co Tipperary @DNLitFest
Imram Irish Language Literature Festival 4–26 October*, Dublin @Feile_IMRAM
Bookville Festival Kilkenny 12–18 October, throughout Co Kilkenny @BookvilleKK
Red Line Book Festival 12–18 October, Dublin @RedLineBookFest
Octocon, the National Irish Science Fiction Convention 9–11 October, Dublin @Octocon
Omagh Literary Festival: Honouring Benedict Kiely 9–11 October, Omagh, Co Tyrone @kiely_weekend
ISLA (Irish, Spanish and Latin American) Literary Festival 17–18 October*, Dublin @ICDublin
Bram Stoker Festival 23–26 October, Dublin @bramstokerdub
Waterford Writers’ Weekend (part of the Imagine Arts Festival) 25–27 October*, Waterford @Wwritersweekend @Imagine_Fest
November
John O'Connor Writing School Literary Arts Festival [did not go ahead in 2019 but will be back in 2020 - dates not yet announced], Armagh @johnoconnorws
Murder One International Crime Writing Festival 1–3 November*, Dublin @MurderOneFest
Leaves Festival of Writing & Music 3–7 November, Portlaoise, Co Laois @leavesfestival
Allingham Festival 4–8 November, Ballyshannon, Co Donegal @AllinghamArts
Dublin Book Festival 12–15 November, Dublin @DublinBookFest
The Lit: Festival of Reading and Writing for Young Adults 19–21 November, Waterford
@TheLitYWF
Dingle Literary Festival 20–22 November, Dingle, Co Kerry @DingleLit
Rolling Sun Book Festival 21–24 November*, Westport, Co Mayo
Facebook/RollingSunBookFestival
C.S. Lewis Festival 22–26 November*, Belfast @CSLewsisFest
Dalkey Creates Festival 26–28 November, Dalkey, Co Dublin @DalkeyCreates
Murder One International Crime Writing Festival 1–3 November*, Dublin @MurderOneFest
Leaves Festival of Writing & Music 3–7 November, Portlaoise, Co Laois @leavesfestival
Allingham Festival 4–8 November, Ballyshannon, Co Donegal @AllinghamArts
Dublin Book Festival 12–15 November, Dublin @DublinBookFest
The Lit: Festival of Reading and Writing for Young Adults 19–21 November, Waterford
@TheLitYWF
Dingle Literary Festival 20–22 November, Dingle, Co Kerry @DingleLit
Rolling Sun Book Festival 21–24 November*, Westport, Co Mayo
Facebook/RollingSunBookFestival
C.S. Lewis Festival 22–26 November*, Belfast @CSLewsisFest
Dalkey Creates Festival 26–28 November, Dalkey, Co Dublin @DalkeyCreates
*2019 dates. The dates for 2020 have not been announced yet. I’ll update this listing when they become available.
If you'd like me to include your 2020 book, literary, writing or reading festival in my 2020 list, please send the details to me at info@marymccauleyproofreading.com. Thanks!
If you'd like me to include your 2020 book, literary, writing or reading festival in my 2020 list, please send the details to me at info@marymccauleyproofreading.com. Thanks!
Related posts
Literary and book festivals in Ireland 2019
Literary and book festivals in Ireland 2018
Literary and book festivals in Ireland 2017
Literary and book festivals in Ireland 2016
Writing courses and literary festivals in Ireland (summer 2015)
Literary and book festivals in Ireland 2018
Literary and book festivals in Ireland 2017
Literary and book festivals in Ireland 2016
Writing courses and literary festivals in Ireland (summer 2015)
If you would like to receive Letters from an Irish Editor blog posts, please use the subscribe section at the top right of this page.
