Kerry Writers Museum

Kerry Writers Museum A museum of words and spirit where the imaginative worlds of the great Kerry writers are evoked, inc

The Seanchaí is a visitor and cultural heritage centre in the Historic Town of Listowel which presents the works of the great Kerry writers in a unique audio-visual experience. Located in a 19th century Georgian residence in Listowel’s magnificent Square, the Centre features five of the County Kerry’s most esteemed writers – John B. Keane, Bryan MacMahon, George Fitzmaurice, Brendan Kennelly and M

aurice Walsh. The writings of these national and internationally renowned literary figures are filled with an abundance of rich characters, humour, romance and tragedy drawn from the towns and villages of North Kerry. The words of the writers will make you laugh and cry, but above all you will come away from your visit to Seanchaí with a sense of the people and places that shaped Kerry’s literary genius.

🌍 Meet Our Festival Artists | Daisy KearneyLimerick native Daisy Kearney is an acclaimed seanchaí whose love of storytel...
31/08/2026

🌍 Meet Our Festival Artists | Daisy Kearney

Limerick native Daisy Kearney is an acclaimed seanchaí whose love of storytelling is rooted in Ireland’s rich oral tradition.

Known both at home and abroad as a gifted storyteller, Daisy carries stories forward in the way they have travelled for generations — through the spoken word, shared between storyteller and listener.

At this year’s Listowel International Storytelling Festival, Daisy joins a gathering of storytellers, musicians and performers for the Éamon Kelly Celebratory Concert, honouring one of Kerry’s great seanchaí on the 25th anniversary of his passing.

Join Daisy on Thursday 17th September at 8 pm at Kerry Writers’ Museum for an opening-night celebration of story, music and the enduring legacy of Éamon Kelly.

These events are part of the Listowel International Storytelling Festival, hosted by Kerry Writers’ Museum.

Discover more about Daisy and explore her festival events: https://kerrywritersmuseum.com/storytelling-festival-programme-2026/

📖 Story & Poetry Swap | Share Your WordsHave a story to tell, a poem to share, or simply fancy listening to a few good v...
31/08/2026

📖 Story & Poetry Swap | Share Your Words

Have a story to tell, a poem to share, or simply fancy listening to a few good voices?

Join poet John McGrath at Kerry Writers’ Museum for the first Story & Poetry Swap of the festival weekend — an informal gathering where the microphone is open and everyone is welcome.

Bring along a poem, a story, a piece of writing or something you’ve been meaning to share. You can take your turn at the mic or simply settle in and enjoy an afternoon of words, conversation and good company.

📅 Friday 18th September at 2.30 pm
📍 Kerry Writers’ Museum
🎟️ Free Event

Part of the Listowel International Storytelling Festival, hosted by Kerry Writers’ Museum from 17–20 September 2026.

Explore the full festival programme: https://kerrywritersmuseum.com/storytelling-festival-programme-2026/

🌍 Meet Our Festival Artists | Mike Gallagher Poet Mike Gallagher has played an important part in creating a space for po...
28/08/2026

🌍 Meet Our Festival Artists | Mike Gallagher

Poet Mike Gallagher has played an important part in creating a space for poetry, music and shared creativity at Kerry Writers' Museum.

Originally from Achill Island and now a familiar voice in North Kerry's literary community, Mike's work includes poetry, haiku and song, with his writing widely published and translated.

But Mike's contribution goes far beyond his own writing. He is the founder of Poetry in the Park, the much-loved monthly gathering at Kerry Writers' Museum that brings together poets, writers, singers, musicians and storytellers in a relaxed and welcoming space where everyone is encouraged to take part.

For more than eight years, those gatherings have created a community around words and performance - reaching an extraordinary 100 sessions in 2025.

At this year's Listowel International Storytelling Festival, Mike brings that same spirit outdoors for Poetry & Story in the Park at Listowel Castle, joined by acclaimed poet Eileen Sheehan and award-winning storyteller James Fogarty.

🗓️ Sunday 20th September at 2 pm
📍Listowel Castle
🎟️ Free Event - donations welcome

Come along, pull up a seat and enjoy an afternoon where poems, stories and voices are shared in one of Listowel's most historic settings.

This event is part of the Listowel International Storytelling Festival, hosted by Kerry Writers' Museum.

Discover more about Mike and explore the festival programme.
https://kerrywritersmuseum.com/storytelling-festival-pr
ogramme-2026/





📚 Seanchaí Writers’ Anthology | Book LaunchJoin us for the launch of Seanchaí Writers 2026: Poems and Stories, a new col...
28/08/2026

📚 Seanchaí Writers’ Anthology | Book Launch

Join us for the launch of Seanchaí Writers 2026: Poems and Stories, a new collection bringing together the work of thirteen members of the Seanchaí Writers’ Group.

Across its pages are poems and stories shaped by memory, place, family, nature, imagination and lived experience — thirteen individual voices brought together through a shared love of writing and storytelling.

The anthology features work by Susan Browne, Barbara Derbyshire, Marcella Griffin, Joe Healy, Susan Hitching, Anna Horgan, Derek Keane, John McGrath, Tom Moloney, Tim Murphy, Brendan O’Shea, Lola Scollard and Margaret Sheehan.

Among the contributors is poet and writer John McGrath, a founder-member of the Seanchaí Writers’ Group.

Rooted in Listowel’s living literary tradition, the collection celebrates the voices, memories and imagination of a local writing community, and the importance of creating spaces where writers can develop their work, share it with others and encourage one another along the way.

The anthology will be officially launched by award-winning writer and former Listowel Writers’ Week chair Seán Lyons, author of A Stranger Walking the Roads and a familiar voice to many through his work with Radio Kerry.

Come along to celebrate the thirteen writers, discover their new collection and mark another chapter in the creative life of Kerry Writers’ Museum.

📅 Saturday 19th September at 12 pm
📍 Kerry Writers’ Museum
🎟️ Free Event

Part of the Listowel International Storytelling Festival, hosted by Kerry Writers’ Museum from 17–20 September 2026.

Explore the full festival programme: https://kerrywritersmuseum.com/storytelling-festival-programme-2026/

🌍 Meet Our Festival Artists | Karen UnderwoodFrom Chicago to Cork, Karen Underwood (Music) has built a remarkable caree...
27/08/2026

🌍 Meet Our Festival Artists | Karen Underwood

From Chicago to Cork, Karen Underwood (Music) has built a remarkable career through music, storytelling and the sharing of lived experience.

A singer, writer, storyteller and public speaker, Karen grew up in Chicago before making Cork her home in 1997. Her work moves between jazz, soul, spoken word and story, bringing together music and personal experience with warmth, honesty and a powerful stage presence.

At this year’s Listowel International Storytelling Festival, Karen brings one of music’s most distinctive voices to the stage with The Music of Nina Simone.

On Saturday 19th September at 8.30 pm, Karen will perform at St John's Theatre & Arts Centre celebrating the songs and legacy of Nina Simone through an evening of jazz, soul and storytelling.

Karen’s appearance adds another strand to this year’s festival — a reminder that stories are carried not only through the spoken word, but through music, memory and song.

These events are part of the Listowel International Storytelling Festival, hosted by Kerry Writers’ Museum.

Discover more about Karen and explore the festival programme: https://kerrywritersmuseum.com/storytelling-festival-programme-2026/

🚶 The Storytellers Trail | Walk Through Literary ListowelStep into the streets of Listowel and discover the stories wove...
27/08/2026

🚶 The Storytellers Trail | Walk Through Literary Listowel

Step into the streets of Listowel and discover the stories woven through the town itself.

Join John Keane for The Storytellers Trail, a guided story walk through Listowel’s rich literary, theatrical and storytelling heritage. Along the way, you’ll visit the birthplaces of literary greats Bryan MacMahon and John B. Keane, hear about the sculptural work of Pat McAuliffe, and enjoy some of the colourful local history that has helped shape Listowel’s character.

This is a lovely chance to experience the town in a different way — through its writers, its people and the stories that still live in its streets and public spaces.

📅 Saturday 19th September at 10 am
📍 Departs from Listowel Castle
🎟️ Free Event

Part of the Listowel International Storytelling Festival, hosted by Kerry Writers’ Museum from 17–20 September 2026.

Explore the full festival programme: https://kerrywritersmuseum.com/storytelling-festival-programme-2026/


🌍 Meet Our Festival Artists | John McGrathPoet, writer and publisher John McGrath has long been part of the literary lif...
26/08/2026

🌍 Meet Our Festival Artists | John McGrath

Poet, writer and publisher John McGrath has long been part of the literary life of Listowel and North Kerry, creating spaces where writers can meet, share their work and find an audience.

Originally from County Mayo, John now lives in North Kerry and is a founder-member of the Seanchaí Writers’ Group in Listowel. He spent 15 years as a member of the Listowel Writers’ Week committee and is also co-founder of the Ballydonoghue Bardic Festival.

Through regular open mic gatherings at Kerry Writers’ Museum, John continues to encourage poets and writers at every stage to step forward and share their words. He is also the driving force behind The Seanchaí Writers’ Anthology 2026, bringing together the work of thirteen members of the group in a new collection of poems and stories rooted in place, people and community.

John is the founder of Moybella Press and has published three collections of poetry — Blue Sky Day, Closing the Circleand After Closing.

At this year’s Listowel International Storytelling Festival, John will be part of two events that reflect his commitment to creating opportunities for other writers and voices.

On Saturday 19 September at 12 pm, The Seanchaí Writers’ Anthology 2026 will be officially launched at Kerry Writers’ Museum.Later in the festival, John will once again open the floor to others as part of Story & Poetry Swap — a free gathering where stories, poems and new voices can be shared and heard.

That spirit of participation and community has long been part of Listowel’s literary story, and John continues to play an important role in carrying it forward.

These events are part of the Listowel International Storytelling Festival, hosted by Kerry Writers’ Museum.

Discover more about John and explore the festival programme: https://kerrywritersmuseum.com/storytelling-festival-programme-2026/


🎶 A Traditional Rambling House TOMORROW Thursday 27th August Join us tomorrow for the final Summer Sessions event as we ...
26/08/2026

🎶 A Traditional Rambling House TOMORROW Thursday 27th August

Join us tomorrow for the final Summer Sessions event as we celebrate one of Ireland's most treasured traditions with a lively Rambling House at Kerry Writers' Museum.

Enjoy an evening of music, song, storytelling, poetry and conversation as local performers and guests come together to share their talents in a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Whether you're taking to the floor or simply soaking up the entertainment, every Rambling House is unique - and everyone is welcome.

Gather with friends, enjoy light refreshments and experience an evening where stories are shared, songs are remembered and community takes centre stage.

🗓️ Thursday 27th August at 8.00pm
🎟️ Free event - all welcome



🌎 Meet Our Festival Artists | Omar BelaarejFrom Marrakech to Listowel, Omar Belaarej brings the rich storytelling tradit...
26/08/2026

🌎 Meet Our Festival Artists | Omar Belaarej

From Marrakech to Listowel, Omar Belaarej brings the rich storytelling traditions of Morocco to this year's festival.

A gifted young storyteller, Omar breathes new life into traditional Moroccan tales filled with wisdom, humour and cultural memory.

Through stories passed from one generation to the next, he shares something of the people, places and traditions of Morocco while finding the common threads that connect audiences across cultures.

Omar returns to Listowel following his visit to last year's festival, continuing a growing storytelling exchange between Ireland and Morocco.

See Omar on Friday 18th September when he visits local primary schools as part of Storytelling in Schools, before joining storytellers from Ireland and around the world for the free Culture Night performance A Tapestry of Tales in Listowel. On Sunday 20th September, Omar joins Irish storyteller Story From Seeds - Maria Gillen - Storyteller for Stories Across the Sea, bringing Irish and Moroccan storytelling traditions together through stories that travel beyond borders.

These events are part of the Listowel International Storytelling Festival, hosted by Kerry Writers' Museum.

Discover more about Omar and explore his festival events: https://kerrywritersmuseum.com/storytelling-
festival-programme-2026/


📖 Story Swap at John B’s | Your Story, Your TurnSome of the best stories are the ones shared around a table.Join France...
26/08/2026

📖 Story Swap at John B’s | Your Story, Your Turn

Some of the best stories are the ones shared around a table.

Join Frances Kennedy Entertainer and Paddy O’Brien at the legendary John B. Keane’s Bar for a lively afternoon of stories, laughter and good company as part of this year’s Listowel International Storytelling Festival.

Bring along a personal memory, a funny incident, a family tale or a story of your own making and take your turn — or simply come along, listen and enjoy the stories as they unfold.

No experience is needed and there’s no pressure to speak. Story Swap is about making room for every kind of voice and keeping the simple tradition of sharing stories together very much alive.

📅 Saturday 19th September at 3.30 pm
📍 John B. Keane's Pub, Listowel, Co.
🎟️ Free Event

Part of the Listowel International Storytelling Festival, hosted by Kerry Writers’ Museum from 17–20 September 2026.

Explore the full festival programme:
https://kerrywritersmuseum.com/storytelling-festival-programme-2026/


Address

24 The Square
Listowel
V31RD93

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+3536822212

Website

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