Mullingar Literary Festival books its date for next year

The hazy blue lighting of Caffrey’s bar last Friday evening evoked the atmosphere of a Parisian jazz bar – though the patrons scattered at tables in front of the stage were not there to experience any avant-garde musician, but to attend at the launch of the 2026 Mullingar Literary Festival.

Writers, poets, historians, musicians and readers joined together to present and participate in an ambitious programme: “I suppose the idea was a long time in the making. A number of attempts have been made to start the Mullingar Literary Festival and it was just down to having the right group of people around. It just grew out of our writing group, Inklings,” said Laurence Meehan, festival chairperson.

For three day lovers of the written word gathered in the county town to celebrate storytelling and connection.

Events were held in Caffrey’s, Mount Street, Mullingar Library, The Greville Arms Hotel, Annebrook House Hotel and at the Market Square. The varied schedule was designed to appeal to readers, writers, families, young people and anyone with an interest in creativity, storytelling and the written word.

Bernie Comaskey performed the official launch on Friday, and spoke of the magic of the art of composition: “Writing paints a picture. If I write, it paints a picture and everyone who reads that has to think about it and paint their own version of that picture.”

At the heart of the festival is Inklings Creative Writing Group. Laurence says in this, the festival’s second year, the group hoped to widen the scope of the offerings: “We’ve grown the festival out with an educational piece. Members of our group set up an education section, went into schools, provided competitions in schools and also online, which drew entries from all over the world. So that really gave scale to the festival that wasn’t there before.”

Keeping the show on the road is a passion project: “I’m just a cog in the wheel,” Laurence says, “we have six core committee members. Beyond that, we probably have up to about 20 people who help with the organisation of the festival.”

Over the weekend, visitors were given the opportunity to engage with renowned authors, discover new voices, and participate in interactive sessions: “The fact this is a free festival makes it unique in Ireland. “We have big names, but also emerging talent as well,” Laurence said. “The big name acts like Patricia Gibney and Niall Breslin have graciously given their time to come and support our festival. It’s really grown from year one. This year was double the festival it was in the first year.”

Outside of the bodies in T-shirts helping out, Laurence extended thanks to the wider community: “I have to say the businesses in Mullingar are the reason this festival has thrived.

“Their support, their backing has given us the ability to put on a free show for three days for the Mullingar public, which is a massive help towards culture, tourism and the town in general. So it’s Mullingar businesses looking after Mullingar which is a great thing to see.”

Closing the festival as the last speakers in Inklings Live on Sunday night, Laurence said: “We’ve had three days of absolutely outstanding entertainment, from Louise’s tender yet strong conversation piece about her book, about her life, to Chele, passionate, ready to join the world of truly great authors. We’ve had amazing authors from far-flung places. We’ve had people from our own town.

“The important message of this weekend is that writing is truly still alive.

“I went to the library on Saturday morning and I witnessed a lot of children who were excited about their entries in our competition, and that is a theme of the festival – the importance of bringing writing and literature to young people. I’d like to think we’ve put a little dent in that.”

Laurence reiterated thanks to the many people behind the festival, including Caffrey’s bar as the main host venue, and concluded: “I will confirm for you before I go, we will see you next year.”