2026 Festival
Speaker Profile
John Boyne
John Boyne is the author of many novels, both for adults and younger readers, including The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, The Heart’s Invisible Furies, A Ladder to the Sky and, most recently, The Elements. He has won four Irish Books Awards, the 2025 Prix Femina Étranger in France, and many other international literary prizes. His work is published in 60 languages.
World Book Day: Why Books, Bookshops, Libraries and Writers Festivals Matter
John Boyne, Barry Jones and Sally Rippin with Inala Cooper
Our Festival kicks off with an acknowledgement of World Book Day and a discussion about the role of books in our lives, and importance of book-connected activities, discussions and debates
36 Things I Know About Writing: Writing Workshop with John Boyne
Internationally bestselling author John Boyne reflects on more than three decades in publishing, sharing hard-won lessons about the craft and realities of writing — from starting (and finishing) a novel to navigating rejection, agents and the ever-changing literary world. An inspiring and practical session for writers at any stage, followed by an extended audience Q&A
In Conversation: John Boyne
John Boyne with Caroline Wilson
Award-winning Irish writer John Boyne will discuss his work, his life, and his new Elements series with journalist Caroline Wilson
My Ireland: One small country, one vast literary history
John Boyne, Cathy Kelly and Niall Williams with Brendan Donohoe
We pay tribute to Ireland’s literary canon, its great writers, their stories, and the influence of landscape and culture on our three writers’ oeuvres.