Events 2026
Download our full programme here. 2026 Programme
Beyond Borders Book Club February Meeting
Join us for the third and final Beyond Borders Book Club meeting ahead of the Festival Weekend. We are
Feminism and Women’s Experiences at War
Join us for a powerful and timely conversation marking the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This special
A Talk on The work of Seamus Heaney with Gillian Chute
Seamus Heaney is regarded as one of the finest poets to come from Ireland. He was the author of over
Children’s Bookclub event – Alex Dunne in conversation with Judi Curtin
Alex Dunne’s first children’s novel, The Book of Secrets, was published by The O’Brien Press in 2022 and went on
The Hare’s Corner – Jane Carkill, Catherine Cleary and Pranjali Bhave in conversation with Áine Bird
The Hare’s Corner – Making Space for Nature celebrates the quiet, hopeful revolution across Ireland, where people are creating space
John Gibbons in conversation with Féidhlim Harty
The Lie of the Land is a fascinating critique of the decisions that have put Ireland into a hugely vulnerable position
Forest Jones
American author, Forest Jones, will join us in Súil Gallery on Friday 6th March @ 4pm to talk about his
Poetry 2026 – Karen J McDonnell, Erin Fornoff & Molly Twomey
EBCF is delighted to give voice to our poets who consistently shine a piercing light on the business of living.
Love & Change – new LGBTQ+ writing with Nicola Dinan, Chloe Michelle Howarth and Naoise Dolan in conversation with Jackie Lynam
The festival is delighted to welcome Chloe Michelle Howarth (Heap Earth Upon It), Nicola Dinan (Disappoint Me) and Naoise Dolan,
Clare-based Writers – Karen Fitzgibbon, Joe Queally & Michael McTigue in conversation with Diarmuid de Faoite
The festival looks forward to sharing the work of our locally-based writers in this event moderated by actor and writer
New Perspectives in Writing – Wendy Erskine, Oona Frawley & Oisín Fagan in conversation with Aoife Barry
This event will bring together three of the most exciting writers in Ireland today, who play with form and content
A Celebration of Irish Fiction – Michael Harding, Edel Coffey & Anna Carey in conversation with Declan Hughes
Irish writers consistently produce work that is thrilling and unmissable; our guests on this panel will explore the mystery and
Books and Buns Quiz
Start your Saturday morning with our much-loved Books and Buns quiz- a delightful book club gathering that will put your
Walking Tour of Ennis
Join Jane O’Brien for her award-winning walking tour of Ennis, exploring many of the town’s major sights and hidden gems.
Hugo Hamilton in conversation with Éilís Ní Dhuibhne
Hugo Hamilton is one of Ireland’s most critically acclaimed writers. In his latest book, Conversation with the Sea, a man
Interactive Writing Workshop for children with Alex Dunne & Laura Keohane
Myths, Magic & Making Stories is a one-hour interactive creative writing workshop designed for children aged 9–12. Through discussion, readings, and
Ten Books You Should Read Bryan Dobson & Cecelia Ahern with Ciana Campbell
One of the most popular events of the festival promises to be a cracker in 2026. The festival audience gets
Where Songs Do Thunder with John Tunney
John Tunney will introduce a new edition of the 1990s classic Where Songs Do Thunder by Paddy Tunney — a personal account
Beyond Borders Book Club – Cecilia Brizuela, Aneta Stepien & Mercedes Verona in conversation with Sarah Clancy
The Beyond Borders Book Club gives us the opportunity to discover great writing from countries beyond Ireland, recommended by guests
Debut Authors Elaine Garvey, Claire Gleeson and Shane Tivenan in conversation with Eoin Devereux
Show Me Where It Hurts is a novel about how to survive in the face of unbelievable loss. This first
Festival Book Club with guest hosts The Tired Mammy Book Club
Celebrate the joy of reading together in this welcoming discussion led by our visiting book club The Tired Mammy Book
Climate Fiction
In this panel, we are delighted to welcome Abí Daré, winner of the inaugural Climate Fiction Prize 2025 for And So
Inis Creative Writers Group presents In The Air
Inis Creative Writers Group (ICWG) will appear at Ennis Book Club Festival to celebrate their fifteenth anniversary and their second
Remembering Nell McCafferty – Rosita Sweetman, Muire McCallion and Ailbhe Smyth in conversation with Eoin McNamee
Nell McCafferty was one of the most remarkable journalists and campaigners of recent Irish history. Her immense reputation and outspoken
Clare Youth Theatre presents ‘The Freedom to Read is the Liberation of the Spirit.’
Clare Youth Theatre celebrates 21 years of creativity as part of the County Clare Arts Office. Its first production, Ex
Historical Fiction – Sarah Waters, Andrew Miller and Nuala O’Connor in conversation with Juliana Adelman
Historical fiction allows us to step inside the minds of those who have shaped the world we live in, and to
Comóradh: A Celebration of Ireland’s Restless Girls — Na Cailíní Fiáine
EBCF is delighted to announce this latest addition to our fringe events. Tá áthas ar EBCF ár n-imeacht imeallach is
Anne Enright in conversation with Niamh Campbell
The festival is delighted to welcome Anne Enright to explore her writing life and latest work in a wide-ranging conversation
Hush Hour
Step into Hush Hour at Sweet N Green Café, a reading party that redefines social gatherings for book lovers. You
Sunday Miscellany
The late Manchán Magan described Sunday Miscellany as “dispatches from a country brimming with soul”. With a simple format of
Literary Lunch – Dr. Marie Cassidy in conversation with Catherine Kirwan
Marie Cassidy became a forensic pathologist in 1985 following her training as a histopathologist. She worked in the Department of
Word Power with Deirdre Devally
This workshop will help students preparing for exams by exploring how self-talk and the power of words can support or
Fighting Words
Fighting Words is delighted to bring a two-hour short story writing workshop to Clare Libraries for Teen Week 2026. Our
Fighting Words
Fighting Words is delighted to bring a two-hour short story writing workshop to Clare Libraries for Teen Week 2026. Our
Kel Menton
Kel Menton, a writer from Cork, Ireland, enjoys collecting fox paraphernalia, reading tarot, and dyeing their hair unusual colours. Their
Kel Menton
Kel Menton is a writer from Cork. They enjoy collecting fox paraphernalia, reading tarot, and dyeing their hair peculiar colours.
Eco Soap Making with Aoife Munn
Discover how the type of soap you use can impact the environment and make your own eco bar of soap.
Word Power with Deirdre Devally
This workshop will help students preparing for exams by exploring how self-talk and the power of words can support or
Eco Soap Making with Aoife Munn
Discover how the type of soap you use can impact the environment and make your own eco bar of soap.
Gráinne O’Brien
When Gráinne started writing her book Solo, she didn’t really like poetry, which caused her trouble as she was now
Gráinne O’Brien
When Gráinne started writing her book Solo, she didn’t really like poetry, which caused her trouble as she was now