Leaves festival of writing and music in Laois

4–8 November 2025

Celebrating Writing and Music in Laois

fáilte
welcome

Autumn in Laois would not be the same without the Leaves Festival; the annual celebration of literature and music presented by Laois Arts Office and Laois Libraries. As we embrace winter and the shorter evenings Leaves provides an inspirational forum to engage with authors and books, stimulating discussions and conversation, music and song.

This year’s programme runs from November 4-8 and promises to transport you on a literary journey encompassing a multitude of genres, including crime, memoir, romance  and short stories.

We are delighted to host an evening that celebrates the life of Mary Lavin; highly regarded as a pioneer in the world of women’s literature. Focussing on her relationship with the New Yorker, the evening will welcome contributions from her two granddaughters Alice Ryan and Kathleen McMahon. Roisin O’Donnell is this year’s One County One Books novelist; her packed programme of events will culminate in an interview with Lisa Harding facilitated by Miriam O’Callaghan. The acclaimed RTE Spoken Stories series will be presented with a distinct Laois flavour as well known Laois voices that include Claire Byrne and Evelyn Cusack will take to the stage to read from these stories.

A full and vibrant programme of readings, talks, music, film and spoken word is in store and we  look forward to welcoming you along to immerse yourself in this diverse and wonderful countywide celebration of literature and music.  

2025
Highlights

The Art of the Short Story

Mike McCormack and Mary O’Donnell in conversation with Christine Dwyer Hickey

Thursday

6/11/25 8:00 pm

Dunamaise Arts Centre

Masterclass with Mike McCormack

Generating Narrative for our Stories

Friday

7/11/25 11:00 am

Dunamaise Arts Centre

Mary Lavin and the New Yorker

with Grainne Hurley, Kathleen McMahon, Alice Ryan, Steve Wickham and Alex Clarke

Friday

7/11/25 7:00 pm

Dunamaise Arts Centre

Music and Mayhem:

An evening with Keith Donald and Don Baker

Friday

7/11/25 9:00 pm

Dunamaise Arts Centre

Roisín O’Donnell and Lisa Harding in conversation with Miriam O’Callaghan

Saturday

8/11/25 6:30 pm

St. Peter’s Church of Ireland

Spoken Stories Event

with Claire Byrne, Evelyn Cusack, Kíla, Clíodhna Ní Anluain, Roisin O’Donnell, Mary Costello and Colm O’Snodaigh

Saturday

8/11/25 8:30 pm

St. Peter’s Church of Ireland

2025
Contributors

Alex Clark

Alex Clark

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Alice Ryan

Alice Ryan

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Andrea Carter

Andrea Carter

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Catherine Kirwan

Catherine Kirwan

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Catherine Ryan Howard

Catherine Ryan Howard

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Christine Dwyer Hickey

Christine Dwyer Hickey

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Calire Byrne

Claire Byrne

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Cliodhna Ni Anluain

Clíodhna Ní Anluain

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Colm O'Snodaigh

Colm O'Snódaigh

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Dagogo Hart

Dagogo Hart

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Emma Fogarty

Emma Fogarty

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Evelyn Cusack

Evelyn Cusack

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Grainne Hurley

Gráinne Hurley

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Kathleen McMahon

Kathleen McMahon

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Keith Donald

Keith Donald

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Lisa Harding

Lisa Harding

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Martina Mulhall

Martina Mulhall

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Mary O'Donnell

Mary O'Donnell

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Mary Costello

Mary Costello

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Miriam O'Callaghan

Miriam O'Callaghan

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Seana Tinley

Seána Tinley

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Sinead O'Hart

Sinead O'Hart

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Steve Wickham

Steve Wickham

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2025
Reading List

Catherine Ryan Howard
Burn After Reading
The Trap
The Nothing Man
56 Days
Run Time
The Liar's Girl

Catherine Kirwan
The Seventh Body
Cruel Deeds
Darkest Truth
A Lesson in Malice

Keith Donald
Music and Mayhem

Roisin O'Donnell
Nesting

Lisa Harding
The Wildelings
Bright Burning

Miriam O'Callaghan
Miriam, Life, Work, Everything

Evelyn Cusack and Seamus Walsh

Mary Costello
Barcelona
The River Capture
The China Factory
They Say it Might Ran

Andrea Carter
There Came a Tapping
The Body Falls
Death at Whitewater Church
Treacherous Strand
The Well of Ice

Emma Fogarty
Being Emma

Kathleen MacMahon
Nothing But Blue Sky
The Home Scar

Alice Ryan
There's Been a Little Incident

Seana Tinley
The Irish Midwife

Don't miss out!