Leaves Festival of Writing & Music

10/11/2025

After
✨ 5 Days
✨ 6 Venues
✨ 20 Events including
✨ 28 Absolutely Amazing Contributors

has finally come to a close. 🥲

Thank you so much to everyone involved in making this year's festival such a success. From our wonderful authors and musicians, to our funders and partners. From the amazing staff working feverishly behind the scenes at all of our venues to the unseen heroes who made things run so smoothly - you know who are 👀

And of course a special super thanks to all of YOU 😍 who came along to be a part of our special little festival here in Laois. Without your continued support and enthusiasm this would all be for nothing.

See you all next year for of Writing and Music in 2026!! ✍️ 🎷 ⭐

.ie .ie .harding.96 .OCallaghanRte .Ireland

08/11/2025

The at was nothing short of amazing! A huge thank you to all the brave and talented souls who took the stage and shared their original works. Whether it was music, poetry, or something else entirely, the energy in the room was electric!

The atmosphere was warm, welcoming, and supportive, as always. It’s so special to see how our spotlight sessions continue to thrive and inspire.

Thanks to everyone who joined us—whether you performed or just came to support and listen, you made the night unforgettable. 🙌✨

We can’t wait to see you all at the next one at

.ie .ie

08/11/2025

🎤✨ Today’s the Day — Spoken Stories Comes to Life! ✨🎤

📍 | Sat 8 Nov | 8:30pm
https://tinyurl.com/Leaves25SpokenStories
🎟️ Tickets: €25

The wait is over — Spoken Stories takes the stage tonight for a breathtaking festival finale!

Join Claire Byrne, Evelyn Cusack, Clíodhna Ní Anluain, Mary Costello, Roisín O’Donnell, and Colm Ó Snodaigh as they bring words to life in this special live rendering of the acclaimed RTÉ Radio 1 series.

And to lift the roof — the legendary Kíla will fill St. Peter’s with their unstoppable rhythm and energy, blending story, song, and celebration in one unforgettable night.

.ie .ie

Leaves Festival 2024. Enjoy the art of writing with, Workshops, Music, school events and more throughout Laois

08/11/2025

💬 TONIGHT— Roisín O’Donnell & Lisa Harding in Conversation with Miriam O’Callaghan

📍 | Sat 8 Nov | 6:30pm
https://tinyurl.com/Leaves25Inconversation
🎟️ Tickets: €20

Tomorrow evening, two of Ireland’s most powerful voices — Roisín O’Donnell and Lisa Harding — sit down with Miriam O’Callaghan for a heartfelt conversation about strength, storytelling, and the quiet bravery it takes to tell the truth.

Their novels Nesting and The Wildlings confront coercive control with empathy and insight — and this discussion promises to be every bit as moving.

.ie .ie .harding.96 .OCallaghanRte

08/11/2025

What an unforgettable journey we had last night with Keith Donald and Don Baker in

We were completely captivated by the emotional depth and honesty of Keith’s narrative, as he weaved his personal story with wonderful live performances. And when the legendary Don Baker — Ireland’s finest blues and harmonica virtuoso — joined him on stage - Wow 😍

A huge thank you to Keith, Don, and everyone who joined us for such a fabulous evening of story and music! 🎷

.ie .ie

08/11/2025

It's the last day of and we have 5 wonderful events for you all TODAY - Saturday 8th November

Weaving History and Heart
Writing Saga Historical Romance with Seána Tinley and Val Troy
📍 Portarlington Library | 11:00 am
https://tinyurl.com/Leaves25HistoryandHeart

Sinead O’Hart Reading
📍 Portlaoise Library | 11:00 am
https://tinyurl.com/Leaves25SineadOHart

Spotlight Sessions
📍 Dunamaise Arts Centre | 1:00 pm
https://tinyurl.com/Leaves25SpotlightSessions

Roisín O’Donnell and Lisa Harding in conversation with Miriam O’Callaghan
📍 St. Peter’s Church of Ireland | 6:30 pm
https://tinyurl.com/Leaves25Inconversation

Spoken Stories Event
with Claire Byrne, Evelyn Cusack, Kíla 4, Clíodhna Ní Anluain, Roisin O’Donnell, Mary Costello and Colm Ó Snodaigh
📍 St. Peter’s Church of Ireland | 8:30 pm
https://tinyurl.com/Leaves25SpokenStories

Join us for one or ALL of our fabulous events TODAY. Some tickets are still available at the door for all public events.

.ie .ie .OCallaghanRte

07/11/2025

Thank you to the all who joined us for Emma Fogarty in conversation Shauna Bowers at Abbeyleix Library yesterday. Absolutely extraordinary and inspiring!

.ie .ie .Ireland

07/11/2025

Thank you to everyone who came along to see Catherine Ryan Howard and Catherine Kirwan in conversation with Andrea Carter yesterday. What a pleasure it was to spend the evening talking all things suspense, deception and secrets!

Only one more day left of
Check out https://www.leavesfestival.ie for more details about our remaining events.

.ie .ie

07/11/2025

Wonderful images in from some events with the wonderful Roisín O’Donnell at

Thanks so much to Roisín and everyone who attended and made the events possible.

Roisín will be joined by Lisa Harding in conversation with Miriam O’Callaghan TOMORROW 8th Nov at 6:30 pm in - don't miss out!

Limited tickets will be available at the door.
https://tinyurl.com/Leaves25Inconversation

.ie .ie .harding.96 .OCallaghanRte

07/11/2025

Spotlight Sessions at
📍 | 8th Nov | 1:00pm

A space for creativity, connection, and shared expression. Held monthly at the Dunamaise Arts Centre, this open mic night is open to singer-songwriters and poets of all experience levels — from first-time performers to seasoned writers.

There’s no need to register. Just show up, sign up on the day , and take the mic when it’s your turn.

More than a performance night, it’s a growing creative community — a place to try out new material, connect with others, and be part of something genuine and supportive. We provide the amplification and a friendly atmosphere. You bring your voice.

.ie .ie

07/11/2025

📜 TONIGHT— Mary Lavin and The New Yorker

📍 | Fri 7 Nov | 7pm
https://tinyurl.com/Leaves25MaryLavin
🎟️ Tickets: €25

Step into the literary world of Mary Lavin, one of Ireland’s great short-story masters.
Tonight, Gráinne Hurley, Kathleen MacMahon, Alice Ryan, and Alex Clark gather to celebrate Lavin’s extraordinary relationship with The New Yorker — a story of art, friendship, and transatlantic letters.

And with music by Steve Wickham, this promises to be a night where words and melody meet in harmony.

.ie .ie

07/11/2025

🎷 TONIGHT— Music and Mayhem Take the Stage!

📍 | Fri 7 Nov | 9pm
https://tinyurl.com/Leaves25MusicandMayhem
🎟️ Tickets: €25

Get ready for a night of raw rhythm and unforgettable storytelling.
Tomorrow, Keith Donald and Don Baker bring Music and Mayhem to life — a moving fusion of memoir, jazz, and blues that dives deep into the heart of survival and soul.

Expect laughter, honesty, and the kind of music that lingers long after the final note.

.ie .ie