Laois festival line up brings great writing and music together.

About Leaves Festival of Writing and Music

Leaves is an annual celebration of writing, music, culture and community, run by the Laoise Arts Office and Laois County Council. Running from Wednesday 6th to Saturday 9th of November this year, the festival takes place in a number of venues in the county, from Portlaoise to Abbeyleix and Mountmellick to Portarlington. Festival goers can expect a broad range of panels, themes and topics along with a diverse musical slant to the four-day event.

Leaves Lineup Preview

This year's Leaves Festival promises an array of literary talent, along with some lighthearted looks at life from commentators, writers and musicians alike.

Venues across Laois will play host to a host of special events, including readings, workshops, films, panel discussions and live music. Such classes include the enticing ‘Writing a Romance Your Readers will Fall in Love With’ with author Linda McEvoy, and an evening of poetry and music featuring Pulitzer and T.S. Eliot prize winning poet Paul Muldoon, master fiddle player Caoimhín Ó’Raghallaigh and the legendary accordionist Brendan Begley. Acclaimed writer Donal Ryan will also be in conversation with Claire O'Brien for an afternoon event in Portarlington Library.

RTÉ radio and book club host Rick O’Shea will make an appearance to interview talented Irish writers Caoilinn Hughes and Cathy Sweeney. If an entertaining eye on life is your thing, then join Barbara Scully and Eleanor Mills as they look at growing older and wiser.

These are just a sample of events at the Leaves Festival, but for a full list check out the Festival Programme.