[dropcap]W[/dropcap]hen I first arrived in Listowel, in June 2016, I knew instantly I had returned to my roots. Listowel Writers’ Week has a special significance to me. My father, a Kerryman himself, has many close relations in the vibrant town of Listowel in West Kerry. In fact, my grandfather, whom I never met, was a first cousin of the esteemed writer Bryan MacMahon. The entire town celebrates writing; there are statues of great Irish writers, like John B. Keane, a museum dedicated to them, and their birthplaces signposted and admired.

This year, after becoming briefly accustomed to the way of life in the idyllic town from last summer, I felt even more at home. Writers’ Week 2017 was a major success, with the festival securing talks with award-winning authors like Emma Donoghue, Richard Ford, Paul Howard, and the much-loved Corkonian presenter, Graham Norton. Colm Tóibín, a world-renowned author, is also the president of the festival, which added a stronger sense of enthusiasm amongst attendees.

Despite the sporadic rain showers, the atmosphere in the town was elated. Listowel is arguably the home of Irish writing; it is where authors, poets and readers alike come to contemplate the beauty of words. Bryan MacMahon referred to the town as the “centre of imagination”, and having spent three days there, it is not difficult to understand why. Everywhere you turn there is a story to be told; from the house where John B. Keane grew up to the elaborate shop exteriors of a time long gone, there is inspiration and an uncontested home for the unbound writer.

During my time at the festival, I attended several events with my father. Listowel Writers Week president Colm Tóibín spoke about his new book, House of Names – reviewed recently in Tn2 magazine by Sarah Upton. Tóibín read excerpts from his novel, a tale of betrayal and mythology set in Homeric times, which I would highly recommend reading. He is an enchanting and vivid speaker, much like the variety of voices in House of Names. There was a stillness as he read aloud, each line as complex and beautiful as the last. One could listen to him all day, drifting away from reality into an ancient, imagined land.

Richard Ford, an American novelist, short story writer, and now autobiographer, also spoke eloquently on Thursday evening. He described his new memoir which recalls the lives of his parents, entitled Between Them. The memoir, split into two sections, each representing one of his parents, is overwhelmingly moving. Ford read from it several times, one part recalling a conversation with his mother, bringing tears to his eyes as he read. In writing this book, he allows adults to mourn their parents, enabling them to recognise that no matter what age you are, you will always miss them. Sitting beside my own father, Ford’s talk was all the more poignant.

To finish my time at Listowel Writers’ Week 2017, I attended a talk by Paul Howard, otherwise known as Ross O’Carroll Kelly. He mentioned little of his new historical fiction book I Read the News Today, Oh Boy, and almost entirely spoke as O’Carroll Kelly. He read three chapters from his upcoming book, Operation Trumpsformation, which had the audience giggling, sometimes monstrously, throughout. As I am from South Dublin, the subject of twenty-two of his novels, I felt almost obliged to ask a question, illustrating how accurate the author was in his phonetic writings of the accent. I asked Howard/Kelly if he could picture his famous franchise on screen. He commented that a television show was already in the works, something which I tremendously look forward to.

Listowel promotes a sense of camaraderie amongst fellow storytellers, poets, authors, and most importantly, the readers. There is a family of creators ready to dream, and a readership, ready to leap. I enjoyed knowing that anyone I walked past was mostly likely a writer too, a person who could give life to those in another world.

In its 46th year, the Listowel Writers’ Week remains an unmissable event on the Irish literary calendar. The whole town supported it, and there was a palpable magic in the air. The events were inspiring, to say the least, and incredibly informative. Listowel is a charming town, and the festival deserves an award of achievement. Whether you are a reader or a writer, you should not think twice about packing your bags next year and heading down to Listowel for the June bank holiday weekend. I promise, you will not regret it. If you do, I will also be there so I give you permission to come give out to me about it.

 

Hazel MacMahon’s must reads from the festival:

House of Names – Colm Tóibín

This Is How – M.J. Hyland

Between Them – Richard Ford

Unravelling Oliver – Liz Nugent

My Name Is Leon – Kit De Waal

Pandemonium – Thomas McCarthy

Illuminate – Kerrie O’Brien

Operation Trumpsformation – Ross O’Carroll Kelly