Kíla, Miriam O'Callaghan, Waterboys' Steve Wickham among stellar line up at Laois November festival

Lynda Kiernan
By Lynda Kiernan

Reporter

Published 29th Oct 2025, 22:33 GMT
Participants at the 2025 Laois Leaves Literary Festival.placeholder image
Participants at the 2025 Laois Leaves Literary Festival.

Laois Leaves literary festival includes big names from RTÉ and top Irish authors

November in Laois is hotting up with a brilliant music and literary line-up for the annual Leaves Literary Festival.

The stars are coming out to Laois, for the winter arts festival which runs from November 4 to 8. 

A Laois version of Spoken Stories, the curated literary series on RTE Radio 1 will feature 36 original short stories by some of Ireland’s most talented and dynamic writers. Each story explores themes like identity, grief, memory and belonging and is voiced for radio by a cast of acclaimed Irish actors.

In association with Spoken Stories curator and producer, Clíodhna Ní Anluain, Laois will welcome three of the commissioned writers, Mary Costello, Roisin O’Donnell and Colm O’ Snodaigh for the evening in the lovely surrounds of St Peter's Church of Ireland in Portlaoise.

Their stories will be read by a cast of well-known Laois voices, including broadcaster Claire Byrne and retired Met Éireann meteorologist, Evelyn Cusack who has just released her own book 'They Say It's Going To Rain'.placeholder image
Their stories will be read by a cast of well-known Laois voices, including broadcaster Claire Byrne and retired Met Éireann meteorologist, Evelyn Cusack who has just released her own book 'They Say It's Going To Rain'.
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RTÉ journalist Claire Byrne and meterologist Evelyn Cusack both returning to their native county for Laois Leaves.

The legendary Kila will be a roof raising addition to this specially crafted evening. Their blend of traditional Irish music and global rhythms is guaranteed to ensure a rousing festival finale.

Another special evening honours the legacy of Mary Lavin, a trailblazer in Irish women’s literature. Gráinne Hurley’s debut book, Gratefully and Affectionately: Mary Lavin and The New Yorker, is the first ever book to explore Lavin’s relationship with the influential publication.placeholder image
Another special evening honours the legacy of Mary Lavin, a trailblazer in Irish women’s literature. Gráinne Hurley’s debut book, Gratefully and Affectionately: Mary Lavin and The New Yorker, is the first ever book to explore Lavin’s relationship with the influential publication.

Mary Lavin’s two granddaughters Kathleen MacMahon and Alice Ryan, both highly respected writers, will sit down with the author to chat about their grandmother and this fascinating time in her life. Renowned journalist and critic Alex Clark will lend her brilliantly incisive skills to lead this incredibly interesting conversation. The icing on the cake for this evening is a performance from Ireland’s most renowned rock fiddler, Steve Wickham, of The Waterboys.

This year’s One County One Book author Róisín O'Donnell will be joined by fellow writer Lisa Harding for an insightful conversation facilitated by Miriam O'Callaghan, also in the beautiful St Peter's Church of Ireland in Portlaoise.

Through her broadcasting career Miriam O’Callaghan has often used her voice to raise awareness and foster public understanding of the insidious nature of coercive control. This topic is explored by both Roisín O’Donnell and Lisa Harding in their current novels, Nesting and The Wildelings. Both novels are psychologically rich narratives that centre on vulnerable women navigating oppressive relationships.placeholder image
Through her broadcasting career Miriam O’Callaghan has often used her voice to raise awareness and foster public understanding of the insidious nature of coercive control. This topic is explored by both Roisín O’Donnell and Lisa Harding in their current novels, Nesting and The Wildelings. Both novels are psychologically rich narratives that centre on vulnerable women navigating oppressive relationships.

Author Roisin O'Donnell and her book Nesting.

Other Highlights of Laois Leaves includes a Crime Writers Panel: Catherine Ryan Howard, Catherine Kirwan & Andrew Carte in Portlaoise Library. A Short Story Discussion: Mike McCormack & Mary O’Donnell with Christine Dwyer Hickey in Dunamaise Arts Centre. A Memoir & Music event with Keith Donald and musician Don Baker in conversation.

Laois resident and author Dagogo Hart will hold a writing workshop and Four Letters of Love film screening. 

The Sightless Cinema’s Dog’s Life will present "Immersive audio plays in the dark".

On Thursday, join the extraordinary Emma Fogarty in conversation with Irish Times Health correspondent Shauna Bowers as she chats about her new memoir Being Emma, in Abbeyleix Library.

Join in the fun from Tuesday to Saturday, November 4 to 8, for a festival that celebrates the power of words, music, and community. Tickets & Programme visit http://www.leavesfestival.ie or http://www.dunamaise.ie

Leaves Festival 2025 is proudly supported by Laois County Council, Creative Ireland Laois, Laois Partnership, Laois Tourism, and Laois Chamber Alliance.

Related topics:Laoislaois festivalsLaois County CouncilClaire ByrneMet Éireann
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