4th–8th November 2025
The Leaves Festival of Writing & Music returns to Co Laois this November, bringing a vibrant celebration of Irish literature, music, and storytelling to local audiences.
This year’s festival shines a spotlight on local voices and national treasures, with standout events that include:
Spoken Stories – Laois Voices Take the Stage
Spoken Stories is a curated literary series on RTE Radio 1 showcasing 36 original short stories by some of Ireland’s most talented and dynamic writers.
Each story explores themes like identity, grief, memory and belonging and is voiced for radio by a cast of acclaimed Irish actors.
For this year’s Leaves and in association with Spoken Stories curator and producer, Clíodhna Ní Anluain, we will present our own special rendering of the radio series.
Three of the commissioned writers, Mary Costello, Roisin O’Donnell and Colm O’ Snodaigh will join us for the evening. Their stories will be read by a cast of well-known Laois voices, including broadcaster Claire Byrne and the meteorologist, Evelyn Cusack.
The legendary Kila will be a roof raising addition to this specially crafted evening. Their blend of traditional Irish music and global rhythms is guaranteed to ensure a rousing festival finale.
This event takes place in St Peter’s Church of Ireland in Portlaoise on Saturday, November 8, at 8.30pm. Tickets can be got here.
A Tribute to Mary Lavin
Join us for a special evening honouring the legacy of Mary Lavin, a trailblazer in Irish women’s literature. Gráinne Hurley’s debut book, Gratefully and Affectionately: Mary Lavin and The New Yorker, is the first ever book to explore Lavin’s relationship with the influential publication.
Mary Lavin’s two granddaughters Kathleen MacMahon and Alice Ryan, both highly respected writers, sit down with the author to chat about their grandmother and this fascinating time in her life.
Renowned journalist and critic Alex Clark will lend her brilliantly incisive skills to lead this incredibly interesting conversation. The icing on the cake for this evening is a performance from Ireland’s most renowned rock fiddler, Steve Wickham.
This event takes place in the Dunamaise Arts Centre on Friday, November 7, at 7pm. Tickets available here.
Róisín O’Donnell in Conversation
This year’s One County One Book author Róisín O’Donnell will be joined by fellow writer Lisa Harding for an insightful conversation facilitated by Miriam O’Callaghan.
Through her broadcasting career Miriam O’Callaghan has often used her voice to raise awareness and foster public understanding of the insidious nature of coercive control.
This topic is explored by both Roisín O’Donnell and Lisa Harding in their current novels, Nestings and The Wildelings. Both novels are psychologically rich narratives that centre on vulnerable women navigating oppressive relationships.
This event takes place in St Peter’s Church of Ireland in Portlaoise on Saturday, November 8, at 6.30pm. Tickets available here.
Other Highlights Include:
- Crime Writers Panel: Catherine Ryan Howard, Catherine Kirwan & Andrew Carter. In Portlaoise Library on Thursday, November 6, at 6.30pm. Tickets available here.
- Short Story Discussion: Mike McCormack & Mary O’Donnell with Christine Dwyer Hickey. In the Dunamaise Arts Centre on Thursday, November 6, at 8pm. Tickets available here.
- Memoir & Music: Keith Donald & Don Baker in conversation. In the Dunamaise Arts Centre on Friday, November 7, at 9pm. Tickets available here.
- Workshops & Screenings: Dagogo Hart’s writing workshop and Four Letters of Love film screening. In Portlaoise Library on Wednesday, November 5, at 11am. School event.
- Sightless Cinema’s Dog’s Life: Immersive audio plays in the dark. In the Dunamaise Arts Centre on Tuesday, November 4, at 7pm. Tickets available here.
Join us from 4th–8th November 2025 for a festival that celebrates the power of words, music, and community.
Tickets & Programme:
Visit http://www.leavesfestival.ie or http://www.dunamaise.ie
Leaves Festival 2025 is proudly supported by Laois County Council, Creative Ireland Laois, Laois Partnership, Laois Tourism, and Laois Chamber Alliance.
