Star-studded line-up for Mayo literary festival this summer

Pack your books, boots and raincoats because Ireland’s Atlantic coast is about to get a serious injection of literary star power. Áras Inis Gluaire, the North-West’s premier arts hub, has announced the anticipated return of Focail Chósta: A Literary Festival by the Sea (12–14 June 2026).

Transforming the stunning Erris peninsula into a vibrant, bilingual hub of storytelling, this year's coastal gathering boasts an extraordinary lineup of some of Ireland's most celebrated literary titans.

Leading the seaside charge is Michael Harding, the celebrated Irish memoirist, playwright, novelist and Irish Times columnist. Revered for his candid, tragicomic reflections, Harding’s towering status is backed by an avalanche of accolades, including the prestigious Stewart Parker Award (1990) for his prominent contributions to theatre; the Hennessy Literary Award (1980) for his fiction; and the coveted RTÉ Arts Show/Bank of Ireland Award for absolute excellence in the arts.

Joining him is the brilliant Miriam Mulcahy, a bestselling Irish memoirist, travel writer, editor and freelance journalist. Widely recognised for her poignant explorations of resilience and nature, Mulcahy arrives as a true heavy hitter of the bestseller charts. Her debut memoir, This is My Sea, was officially named an Irish Times Book of the Year (2023); secured a prestigious An Post Irish Book Awards Nomination and instantly skyrocketed to become a No. 1 Irish Bestseller for hardback non-fiction within its first week on the shelves. She will also discuss her new book, Walking to the Foot of the Sky, which has already garnered huge recognition.

Adding major clout to the non-fiction lineup is John Connell, the multi-award-winning Irish author, film producer, investigative journalist and farmer. During his time in Sydney, his high-profile journalism earned the Longford powerhouse two prestigious Walkley Awards and a United Nations (Australia) Media Peace Prize. His legendary debut memoir, The Cow Book, spent 37 weeks on the charts and won Popular Non-Fiction Book of the Year at the An Post Irish Book Awards.

Adding a local flair is homegrown hero Tom McAndrew, who achieved monumental literary recognition after securing a massive three-book publishing deal with United States publisher Camel Press, sending waves through the "cosy crime" genre with his highly anticipated 2026 debut novel, Doocey Half-Sees Whodunnit.

Ensuring the festival’s panels remain as sharp as the crashing Atlantic waves, the event will feature top-tier media talent, including acclaimed Irish journalist, broadcaster and RTÉ political commentator Áine Ní Chiaráin, who will accompany local raconteur Ian McAndrew on a walking tour of the town. Known for her razor-sharp political analysis on RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta and her insightful columns for Tuairisc.ie, Ní Chiaráin will bring her legendary Mayo charm to match the wit and wisdom of McAndrew.

Prominent Irish journalists Adrian Weckler and Elizabeth Birdthistle will also attend, hosting chats and conversations with Irish writers over the course of the weekend.

Spanning bilingual celebrations and interactive workshops, all events at the festival are free of charge, though booking is highly advised for Michael Harding. 

The festival will conclude with a free yoga session and a dip in the tidal pool on Sunday morning.