Trainspotting author Irvine Welsh set for Kinsale Literary Festival
Irvine Welsh is set for next month's Kinsale Literary Festival. Picture: Euan Cherry/Getty Images.
Authors Irvine Welsh, Vincent Browne and Lara Marlowe are among the line-up of acclaimed Irish and international writers, journalists, and poets appearing at Kinsale’s Words by Water Literary Festival this week.
The not-for-profit literary festival, which is in its ninth year, will return to Kinsale from October 1 to October 4, promoting the best in Irish and international writing and making literature accessible to the local and wider community.
The festival supports new writing, engages with unpublished authors and encourages reading and writing among young people across four days of conversation, storytelling, ideas and celebration.
This year’s programme spans fiction, non-fiction, poetry, journalism, local interest, workshops and events for younger readers, alongside a new community programme designed to bring the festival’s appreciation of reading and writing into new spaces.
Festival chairperson Ruth McDonnell said the event’s continued growth was a testament to the breadth of its programme.
“Our event is growing year-on-year, which we believe is down to its variety. We span every aspect of the written and spoken word, from political journalism to traditional forms of songwriting. Both adults and children are catered for across our affordable and fun events,” she said.
“We also strongly believe in supporting debut authors as well as those who’ve been popular for decades. We’ve already had lots of ticket sales, so are encouraging people to book their event quickly so they’re not disappointed.”
The festival opens on Thursday evening with Right Words, an evening of poetry curated by Matthew Geden and taking place this year at Dalton’s Bar.
Friday offers a varied line-up, including a performance of Neil Titley’s one-man play at St Catherine’s Cultural Centre and Bonfires of Remembrance, a celebration of storytelling and song presented by Paddy Doyle and Rosie McCarthy at OHK.
Journalist and former presenter Mary Wilson will also be joined by Martin Doyle, Ken Murray and Eugene Reavey for a discussion examining how identity, religion and politics divided communities in Northern Ireland, and how cover-up and silence can impede recovery.
Saturday brings an afternoon of interviews and panel discussions at the Methodist Church. contributor Lara Marlowe will sit down with Mary Wilson, followed by Claire Adam and Neil Tully in conversation with Mairéad Hearne on the past in fiction.
Cauvery Madhavan and Louise Nealon will then join Shane Coleman, before Niamh Hargan and Tanya Sweeney talk to Tara Flynn about the very different worlds they have brought to life in their books.
The festival’s Saturday night headline event with acclaimed Scottish author Irvine Welsh will take place at the Trident Hotel. Best known for Welsh has gone on to become one of the most recognisable and bestselling contemporary writers. He will be interviewed by Shane Coleman on the night.
Sunday morning sees the return of the popular Local Voices session, featuring Cork writers Jennifer Horgan, Molly Twomey and Eamon O’Leary. The main programme concludes with journalist Vincent Browne, who joins Vanessa Conneely at Friars Lodge to discuss his desert island books over a cuppa.
There is also a strong focus on your readers, with Barry Moloney’s Walking Tour for Children returning on Saturday, Kinsale Library’s storytelling session and artwork showcase, as well as a Page to Pallet Exhibition showcasing the art of almost 60 children from Dundurrow Primary School.
Festival organisers have confirmed that the popular €60 festival pass is returning for 2026. The pass excludes workshops, children’s events, Bonfires of Remembrance and the Irvine Welsh event.
Tickets and the full programme are available at www.wordsbywater.ie.
