Kildare Readers Festival returns with an exciting literary lineup

Kildare County Council has officially announced the joyous return of the Kildare Readers Festival, which will take place from Thursday 1 October to Sunday 11 October 2026. This wonderful free celebration will bring together passionate readers and acclaimed writers for lively conversations, unforgettable experiences, and vibrant literary events hosted at various venues across County Kildare.

This year's packed programme features an array of compelling highlights, including an Irish Sign Language screening of the documentary A Quiet Love, a thought-provoking conversation between Miriam Mulcahy and Lesley Bond, and a special session on essential reads with Louise Nealon and Katriona O’Sullivan. Fiction fans can also enjoy the 'Behind the Bestsellers' panel featuring Sheila O’Flanagan, Carmel Harrington, and Faith Hogan, alongside a thrilling crime fiction event with John Banville, Edel Coffey, Patricia Gibney, and Fiona Sherlock. Meanwhile, broadcaster Tristan Rosenstock will host An Tolg Liteartha to celebrate the winners of Gradam Foilsitheoireachta an Oireachtais 2026 through lively Irish-language interviews.

Families and young audiences will be well catered for with dedicated events such as a Puffin Rock screening and workshop, a magical Faerie Isle session led by Síne Quinn, and a teen comic book creation workshop hosted by Aoife Dooley. Visitors to Riverbank Arts Centre can also savour modern twists on traditional Irish cuisine crafted from locally sourced ingredients courtesy of Ernie’s@ Shackleton Experience. While all events are entirely free of charge, advance booking is strongly recommended; a modest online booking fee of €1.50 per ticket applies for Riverbank Arts Centre events, though this fee can be avoided by booking directly through the Box Office or by phone via the official Kildare County Council website.