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West Cork Literary Festival Programme

West Cork Literary Festival Programme

Explore the West Cork Literary Festival programme and immerse yourself in an inclusive 8-day celebration of words and ideas in Bantry, on Ireland’s southwest coastline.

A landmark on Ireland’s literary calendar, this renowned and ambitious festival attracts established and emerging international and Irish writers. With audiences from across the world, they take part in readings, conversations, workshops, and events staged across West Cork’s towns, islands, and peninsulas. Packed days bring book launches and panel discussions. And engaging evenings are filled with more readings and conversations, featuring some of the finest voices in contemporary writing. A dedicated programme for children and young adults, and opportunities for professional development, ensure an imaginative and warm welcome for readers and writers of all ages.

10 – 17 July 2026

West Cork Literary Festival Programme Download Icon
47 events
Patrick Gale & Andrew Miller

Event

Patrick Gale & Andrew Miller

14/07/2026 | 8:30 pm

Join us for an evening of historical fiction (mid-twentieth century history!) with Patrick Gale and Andrew Miller, two of the finest masters of this craft.  From beloved,...
€20
The Maritime Hotel
Open Mic: Saturday

Event

Open Mic: Tuesday

14/07/2026 | 10:00 pm

Every night (Saturday to Thursday) we offer you the opportunity to perform your own work – or simply to listen to others and to...
Free
The Maritime Hotel
Letter Café at West Cork Literary Festival

Event

Letter Café

15/07/2026 | 8:00 am - 5:30 pm

Pop into the Letter Café and take the time to write that letter to let someone know that you're thinking of them. Complimentary stationery, pens and postage...
Free
Forest & Flock
Workshop: Creative Non Fiction with Katie Goh

Event

Workshop: Creative Non-Fiction with Katie Goh

15/07/2026 - 17/07/2026 | 9:30 am - 2:30 pm

This workshop will run from Wednesday 15 to Friday 17 July, from 9.30am to 2.30pm each day with two breaks built into the day.  Join author and...
3 days | Multiple days
€245 for 3 days
Christian Fellowship Church
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Quiet Reading Hour

Event

Quiet Reading Hour

15/07/2026 | 11:00 am - 12:00 pm

Daily every morning, join us for a quiet reading hour. Inspired by the beautiful painting by Seán Keating on the front of our brochure,...
Free
The Maritime Hotel
Ulrike Draesner & Rebecca Braun: Channel Swimmer

Event

Ulrike Draesner & Rebecca Braun: Channel Swimmer

15/07/2026 | 1:00 pm

Ulrike Draesner is one Germany’s most acclaimed poets and novelists. Her novel Kanalschwimmer was published in 2019 by Penguin Verlag and then translated into English by Irish-based translator Rebecca Braun and published as Channel Swimmer in August...
Free | Booking Advised
The Maritime Hotel

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