Like Your Weekend Fully Booked?

Claire Keegan

atest press release from the Greystones Book Festival organisers, issued on Thursday, July 23rd 2026…

Book lovers from across Ireland are invited to Greystones on Saturday August 8th and Sunday 9th 2026 for the inaugural Greystones Book Festival, a vibrant weekend celebrating literature, storytelling, creativity and community.

Jane Clarke. Pic: Elementum

Taking place at Greystones Rugby Club, the festival brings together award-winning authors, poets, children’s writers and creative professionals for an inspiring programme of conversations, workshops and family-friendly events.

Festival highlights include an exclusive In Conversation event with internationally acclaimed author Claire Keegan, whose celebrated works include Foster, Small Things Like These and So Late In The Day.

Ellen Ryan

The programme also features bestselling crime writer Sam Blake, award-winning children’s author Ellen Ryan, acclaimed Wicklow poet Jane Clarke, and local authors Tara Cruise and Frances Browner, who will share their publishing journeys and latest work.

Aspiring writers will have the opportunity to take part in practical workshops including Write That Book!, an interactive writing workshop for adults, while younger audiences can enjoy children’s writing sessions and an engaging event with children’s author Marian Brennan and renowned illustrator Mark Beech.

Marian Brennan. Pic: Oscar Chubb

Creativity continues with Marc Diamond, creative producer of the LEGO® BLUEY and LEGO® DUPLO MARVEL apps, who will discuss creativity, storytelling and developing content for children.

Poetry also takes centre stage with readings from the Femina Culpa collective, whose work gives voice to overlooked women from nineteenth-century Ireland through powerful archival- inspired poetry. Local poets will join the event with Jane Clarke to read their work, including Deirdre Crosby, Gerald Sweeney, Harry Cavendish, Maureen McGranaghan and Rachel Ball.

Designed for readers, writers and families alike, the Greystones Book Festival offers something for everyone, from bestselling fiction and poetry to publishing advice, children’s literature and creative inspiration.

As the festival’s inaugural edition, it aims to establish Greystones as an exciting destination for literary events and to celebrate the town’s thriving creative community.

Tickets for all events are now on sale, with some sessions already sold out. For the full programme and to book tickets, you can visit the main website here.