Hinterland Festival Kells

04/06/2026

Lovely piece with Doireann Ní Ghríofa ahead of her visit to us at Hinterland Festival Kells!

Doireann Ní Ghríofa writes books that hopscotch between genres and times...

03/06/2026

Looking for something inspiring, creative and fun for the young readers, writers and dreamers in your life this summer?

Our Children’s & Family Programme at Hinterland 2026 is packed with storytelling, workshops, creativity and unforgettable experiences for all ages. From hands-on activities to meeting favourite authors and illustrators, there’s something for every curious mind.

Read more in the article below and start planning your family’s Hinterland adventure!

Adventure, imagination and magical mayhem—Hinterland Festival unveils packed children’s programme for young readers and creators Pictured above are Dara Sheridan (8) and Abigail Hanley (8) alongside author and illustrator Brian Fitzgerald From trainee banshees and detective mysteries to dancing ...

01/06/2026

🎙️ New Hinterland Podcast episode out now.

Peacemaker, politician, Nobel laureate — John Hume helped shape modern Ireland and played a central role in the Good Friday Agreement.

In this episode, Stephen Walker explores the life and legacy of one of the most influential political figures in Irish history, drawing on over 100 interviews with colleagues, critics, family members, and Hume himself.

A fascinating conversation about leadership, peace, and the people behind political change.

🎧 Listen now.

28/05/2026

Have you gotten your tickets yet?

28/05/2026

📚 Hinterland Book Club — June Read

We’re delighted to announce that our June Book Club pick is Hungry by Katriona O’Sullivan.

Honest, powerful and deeply moving, Hungry is a memoir about resilience, education, survival, and finding a way forward against the odds.

And we’re especially excited to share that Katriona O’Sullivan will be joining us in Kells for this year’s Hinterland Festival 🙌

📖 Start reading now
🛍️ Book Club members can receive 10% off at Antonia's Bookstore
🎟️ tickets 👉 https://share.google/WXKaoS4FS1gCjmf2G

27/05/2026

We’ve loved hearing your thoughts on our first Hinterland Book Club read from 📚

From shocking twists to unforgettable characters, it definitely gave us plenty to talk about.

And now… it’s nearly time for the next one 👀

📖 June’s Book Club pick will be announced tomorrow.

To follow along:
✨ Join our mailing list (link in stories)

✨ Join the Hinterland Book Club Facebook group 👉 https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cnir79YfN/?mibextid=wwXIfr

✨ Follow the hashtag

25/05/2026

🎙️ New Hinterland Podcast episode out now.

In this week’s episode, Martin Doyle discusses Dirty Linen: The Troubles in My Home Place — an intimate account of the Northern Ireland conflict told through the experiences of families and victims from his own rural parish in County Down.

Thoughtful, personal and deeply moving, this conversation explores memory, loss, and the lasting impact of violence on community and place.

Martin is joined in conversation by .

🎧 Listen now.

22/05/2026

The wait is over! The full programme for Hinterland Festival 2026 is now live 🎉

From 25th–28th June, Kells will once again come alive with stories, ideas, music, history, comedy, conversation and creativity across more than 70 events and multiple venues, including the newly opened Kells Printing Works.

This year’s line-up includes Kirsty Wark, Larry Lamb, Liz Nugent, Katriona O’Sullivan, Doireann Ní Ghríofa, Sarah Breen & Emer McLysaght and many more.

Expect four unforgettable days of author talks, live performances, workshops, family events, Hindsight@Hinterland, Lit Crawl, TypeTrail and plenty of festival magic throughout the town ✨

🎟 Tickets are now on general sale.

https://www.hinterland.ie/m-15-hinterland-festival-2026.aspx

18/05/2026

The Hinterland Podcast is back 🙌

Our first episode features George Hamilton, one of Ireland’s most recognisable voices, in conversation about storytelling, broadcasting, unforgettable moments in sport, and the power of language.

Here’s a clip from the episode.

🎙️ Listen now and join us as we begin a new series of conversations from Hinterland.

06/12/2025

Deadline is 31st December!

Calling All Writers Living in Meath!

Meath County Council Arts Office are delighted to be sponsoring a writer resident in County Meath to take part in the National Mentoring Programme 2026.

Receive sustained creative and professional mentoring from an acclaimed Irish writer.

The opportunity is available to writers of:
📖Fiction
💡Creative non-fiction
🧒Children’s / Young Adult fiction
✍️Poetry

Full details on eligibility and how to apply can be found on the Irish Writers Centre website. Follow link in bio for more details.