Listowel makes all the write moves for 2017
YOU just know when the man in the town square plays a decent version of Louis Armstrong’s ‘What a Wonderful World’ on the panpipes that it’s going to be a cracking Listowel Writers’ Week.
From early on Wednesday morning the Feale Bridge became a gateway to five days of bookish and artistic entertainment. At the opening evening, Brendan Kennelly received what is sure to be one of his most treasured accolades: ‘ The John B Keane Lifetime Achievement Award’.
The President of Listowel Writers’ Week, Colm Toibin, once again drew vast crowds, as did names like Michael Harding, Graham Norton, Alan Cumming, Emma Donoghue, Fergal Keane, Mary Kenny and Kevin Myers – to name but a few. ‘My Name is Leon’ by Kit de Waal won the prestigious Kerry Group Novel of the Year, while a vast range of workshops help bolster the week’s creative aspect with aspiring writers picking up some essential writing tips.
Listowel Writers’ Week also creates an amazing buzz in the town with shops, restaurants, B&Bs and hotels all doing well from the cavalcade that helps make Listowel the literary capital of the universe every June Bank Holiday weekend.
But the week doesn’t just run on reputation alone. Listowel Writers’ Week is all thanks to a hardworking team who ensure everything runs like a mouse’s heart throughout the week. There was plenty of poetry without pints (and some with!), historic walks retracing the steps of north Kerry’s literary greats, and much more besides.
Listowel sure knows how to make all the write moves. Here’s to 2018!