Meet the Writers

Here you find listings of the writers who are will appear at our 2026 festival. Our 2026 festival will run from 10-17 July 2026. Priority booking for WCLF Festival Friends will open at 10am on 7 April. General booking for workshops will open at 10am on 7 April and for all other events at 10am on 14 April
Keith Ridgway

Keith Ridgway

Fiction, Irish Writing, Novel

Keith Ridgway is the author of The Long Falling, which won both the 2001 Prix Fémina Étranger and Premier Roman…

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Johnny Roche

Johnny Roche

Cork, Fiction, New & Emerging Writing

Johnny Roche’s writing has appeared in Howl (forthcoming), Tintreach, and Motley. An MA student in Creative Writing, he is writing his debut novella for…

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Catherine Ronan

Catherine Ronan

Cork, Irish Writing, Poetry, Spoken Word

Catherine Ronan is an Irish, award-winning poet who has been writing poetry since childhood. She is deputy poetry editor for Swerve Magazine and…

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Eimear Ryan

Eimear Ryan

Interviewer, Local & Irish Writers

Eimear Ryan’s writing has appeared in Granta, Winter Papers, The Dublin Review and The Stinging Fly. She is a co-founder of the literary journal Banshee and its…

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Mike Ryan

Mike Ryan

Interviewer

Mike Ryan is a multidisciplinary producer, artist and writer based in Cork City. He is a former artistic director of…

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Catherine Ryan Howard

Catherine Ryan Howard

Cork, Crime, Fiction, Irish Writing, Novel

Catherine Ryan Howard is the author of nine novels including the no. 1 bestsellers The Nothing Man, 56 Days, The…

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Nichola Smalley

Nichola Smalley

Fiction, Translation

Nichola Smalley is a translator of Swedish and Norwegian literature. Her work has been nominated for the International Booker Prize, the…

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Mats Strandberg

Mats Strandberg

Children, Translation

Mats Strandberg is one of Sweden’s most acclaimed suspense and horror writers for children and adults, published internationally. He writes in all…

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John Suchet

John Suchet

Music, Non-Fiction

John Suchet OBE is a bestselling author, journalist, radio and TV presenter. He was the voice of morning radio on…

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Meet the Writers

Arts Council - funding literature
Fáilte Ireland
Wild Atlantic Way
CCC Library & Arts Service
Cork County Council
Pure Cork
Creative Places West Cork Islands
Irish Examiner
Maritime Hotel