The beautiful Kerry town of Listowel is gearing up for special guests, awards and workshops at Writers' Week, the nation's oldest literary festival.

The festival will kickstart with the annual Awards Ceremony on Wednesday at 8pm, which includes the announcement of the prestigious Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award and the Pigott Poetry Prize.

The Opening Night special guest is award-winning English actor, Dominic West (The Affair, The Wire), with Celtic Steps and Seamus Harty providing the entertainment. West has spent plenty of time in Ireland, given his marriage to Catherine Celinda Leopoldine FitzGerald - the Irish landscape designer and gardener. FitzGerald and West operate her ancestral home, Glin Castle, as a small hotel and event venue after they met at Trinity College Dublin.

“We are ready and eager for the return to our popular haunts this June,” says Listowel Writers’ Week Chairperson Catherine Moylan. “After connecting with so many people online over the last couple of years, we know that there is a huge appetite for the magical atmosphere that Listowel Writers’ Week brings to the town.”

This year’s festival features a packed itinerary of topical events and writers. A diverse programme will feature conversations from debut writers, debates and readings and brilliant opportunities to meet with national and international literary stars.

Events available to book include sessions with writers such as Paul McVeigh, John Connolly, John Boyne, Hilda Burke, Jeanine Cummins and Sarah Winman among many more on the programme.

Thursday kicks off with the first of the literary programme of events, Meet the Shortlist. This event will be hosted by Rachel Joyce (adjudicator), chatting to the Kerry Group Shortlisted authors: Nuala O’Connor, Kevin Power, and Lisa Harding.

“We are delighted with the enthusiastic response from writers and artists both nationally and internationally,” adds Chairperson Catherine Moylan, “2022 promises to be a wonderful return to the fun, festivities and fanfare of our June festival. Looking forward to seeing you there!”

Listowel Writers’ Week is supported by Arts Council Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, Kerry County Council, and many sponsors and patrons.

Plan your visit to the festival from 1st to 5th June, with updates found here.