All eyes are on Co Kerry this weekend as one of the starriest Writers’ Weeks in the history of Listowel draws to a close. The festivities began on Wednesday with the official opening of the 38th annual Writers’ Week by In Treatment star Gabriel Byrne, and the presentation of the Kerry Group Fiction Award which, at €15,000, is the most lucrative award in Irish writing for a single book.
Big names enjoying the festival alongside Byrne include Jung Chang, Louis de Bernières, festival president Colm Toibin and Daniel Day Lewis, with his wife, writer and film-maker Rebecca Miller. Among today’s highlights are readings by Miller and de Bernières. But, as adjudicator for the Kerry Group Fiction Award, Niall McMonagle, says, “there are no egos in Listowel.” Drama and music also play an important role in the festival, as do art and film, with a variety of exhibitions and screenings throughout the week. The festival closes tomorrow evening with a stage performance of All About Eve by Classic Revival Dublin. See www.writersweek.ie.