It’s all happening in Listowel, says Nell

RAIN didn’t dampen spirits on the second day of Listowel Writers’ Week yesterday, as people scurried from reading to reading, clutching an umbrella and with the inevitable book under the arm, got it signed by their favourite author.

Writer Nell McCafferty was as interested in the cattle mart in Listowel town square as she was in the literary readings, however.

"It's all happening in Listowel," she said, demonstrating what she had learned that morning at the mart the hand signals used by cattle traders.

Turn one corner and you'd bump into Roddy Doyle, turn another and there was Colm Tóibín.

That's the thing about Listowel: everyone's accessible in this most intimate of festivals.

"We go for the heavyweights and the greats and the highbrow," said Writers' Week chairperson Joanna Keane O'Flynn, "but we also like to accommodate the man on the street. This is a festival for everyone."

Colm Tóibín, who is literary adviser to the festival, was one of the highlights yesterday, as he read to a packed house at St John's Arts Centre from his Man Booker nominated novel, The Master.

"I came here first in 1979," said Tóibín, "first as a fan and later as a reader. You always get great audiences here and a great response.

"I love the town. I love the way the town's shaped. I love the manners, the way people behave. There's a great feeling in Kerry," he said.

Ross O'Carroll Kelly, the south county Dublin character created by journalist Paul Howard, wasn't as at home as Tóibín.

Ross said it was a culture shock to be in "bogland". "I'm shocked to see the number of people with bog-ball jerseys," he said.

"But I do like the women and the beer, although it is hard to tell the difference between a lot of the women and a lot of the men."

Indeed, Listowel looks even more warm and welcoming now, as the newly-restored fifteenth century Listowel Castle was officially opened by Tom Parlon TD in the centre of town yesterday. And after the castle launch, well, it was off to see Billy Keane John B's son launch his first novel. That was followed by an exhibition launch and a reading by Roddy Doyle.

With journalist Fergal Keane, poet Michael Longley and Russian poetic giant Yevgeny Yevtushenko all reading today, you'd need your health about you to keep going for the week.

And there's still the weekend to come

Tickets are available for all events at each venue. For more information see www.writersfestival.ie