A highlight of the Maria Edgeworth Literary Festival has always been the incredible special guests who bring their talents to our stage. Over the years, we’ve welcomed celebrated storytellers, inspiring poets, mesmerising singers and musicians, gifted artists, and captivating entertainers.
The 2025 Festival promises to be just as extraordinary! Explore this page to discover the amazing line-up of guests we have planned for this year.
Click on the images below to learn more about our brilliant guests!
This project was assisted by Longford Local Community Development Committee, Longford Community Resources Clg. and Longford County Council through the LEADER Programme 2023 -2027 which is part-financed by the EU, “The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas” and the Department of Rural & Community Development
We recommend a visit to our Maria Edgeworth Centre to meet the Edgeworths ‘in person’.
The Centre, of course, pays homage to the celebrated 18th century novelist Maria Edgeworth. She was a notable literary pioneer, a feminist and social commentator of her time. But it also lets you get to know other members of this progressive thinking family. Housed in one of the oldest national school buildings in the Country, it also explores where the story of Ireland’s national school system began.
The Maria Edgeworth Visitor Centre in Edgeworthstown, County Longford, is in one of Ireland’s best kept literary secrets, right in the heart of a small rural community in Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands.
Visitors can enhance their experience by taking Edgeworthstown’s Heritage & Literary Walk which is a guided walking tour through the town’s past. Explore the area’s connections with historical figures such as Oliver Goldsmith and Oscar Wilde.
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Please pre-book your visit over Christmas and New Year at least 24h in advance via Email or Online booking.
MondayClosed
Tuesday10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Adult €7.50
Children 10 to 16 €3
2 Adults & 2 Children €15
Adult is 16 years+
Family Ticket is 4 family members together
Children under ten are free but must be accompanied by an Adult
The Maria Edgeworth Centre is operated under the direction of the Edgeworthstown District Development Association (EDDA) – a Not for Profit Voluntary Community based registered charity Reg:223373. Registered Charity Number 20101916
© 2023 Maria Edgeworth Centre – All Rights Reserved
Tríona Walsh is a best-selling author of Irish-set crime novels, all of which have been translated internationally. She is also an award-winning short story writer, having won the Molly Keane and Jonathan Swift competitions with The White Mulberry and Perhaps the Flames. Her shortlisted story Salt was broadcast on RTÉ Radio One as part of the Francis MacManus competition series.
Growing up, she loved the works of Agatha Christie and John Grisham, and now devours anything by Jane Casey, Kate Atkinson, and Ruth Ware. Despite her love for these authors, Tríona longed for crime novels set not in faraway America or the UK, but here at home in Ireland. Her three crime novels are set in real Irish locations—among the ancient ruins of Inis Mór, deep in the forests of a reimagined Moore Hall in Co. Mayo, and by the wild, windswept Fanad Lighthouse in Co. Donegal.
Her short stories explore the complexity of human relationships and the lengths we will go to for love and connection.
Lani O’ Hanlon is a writer and somatic movement therapist living in West Waterford. Her writing is published internationally in various journals including Southword, Poetry, Portland Review, Poetry Ireland and the Irish Times and broadcast on RTE’s Sunday Miscellany. Winner of the Poetry Ireland Trocaire Award in 2022 and with director Fiona Aryan – The Bloomsday Award for Poetry Film in 2024, other prizes include: Dromineer, Bridport, Poetry on the Lake and shortlisted for the Hennessy Literary Award / Emerging Fiction. Her poetry collection Landscape of the Body (2023) is published by The Dedalus Press.
Lani is a highly experienced facilitator/voice-over/reader/performer with an MA in creative writing from Lancaster University, she works as a poet in palliative care, mental health and well-being with Waterford Healing Arts and facilitates creative writing, well-being and somatic movement retreats in the South East. She is the author of Dancing the Rainbow, Holistic Well-Being through Movement, Mercier Press and is a member of the Laban Guild for Dance and Drama.
In Conversation with Charlie McGettigan at our Culture Night >>Book here>>
Andrea Mara is a Number One Sunday Times, Irish Times, and Kindle bestselling author, who has been shortlisted for Irish Crime Novel of the Year at the An Post Book Awards for four of her books. Her most recent novel, Someone In The Attic was published in June 2024 and went straight to number 2 on the Irish bestseller list. It was published in the US in August 2024, her US debut. The New York Times said: “[Mara] lays out the pieces of the puzzle with diabolical wit, some good suspense and an unexpected note of sentimentality.”
Her previous novel, No One Saw A Thing, was a Number One bestseller in the UK, in Ireland and on Kindle, a Richard and Judy Book Club pick, and has sold over quarter of a million copies. In Ireland, No One Saw A Thing spent five months in the Original Fiction Top Ten followed by seven months in the Paperback Top Ten. Her novel All Her Fault was Sunday Times Crime Book of the Month, a top ten bestseller in the UK and Ireland, and a Kindle Top 5 bestseller. It has been optioned for TV and commissioned to go into production by US streamer Peacock, starring Sarah Snook, in her first TV role since Succession.
She lives in Dublin, Ireland, with her husband and three children.
Steve Lally is an international storyteller and best selling author. He takes his stories far and wide and is passionate about breathing life into this vital and significant art form. Lally’s repertoire of tales ranges from ancient Celtic epics of Ireland and beyond, to stories of adventure and romance. He has written three books on Irish Folklore and his work is also a part of a major Anthology of Irish Folk Tales. His faith and love of folklore expresses itself through humorous anecdotes, quirky comic tales and haunting ghost stories. He has also co-written with his wife Paula, a unique anthology of Fairy Stories from the 32 counties of Ireland entitled ‘Irish Gothic’. Be prepared to be taken on a magical journey through the ethereal wall that separates our world from theirs…
Melissa Shiels is a recent doctoral candidate, awarded her PhD from UCC in 16th-century Irish history, focusing on gift exchange and material culture. She has been making historical clothing since 2002, recreating clothing from the Viking, Medieval, Tudor/Elizabethan, Georgian, Regency, and Victorian periods. Melissa gives costumed talks for a wide range of audiences, both academic and non-academic, speaking in museums, libraries, schools, literary festivals, as well as university lectures.
Niamh Coughlan, originally a Derry Girl, now living in wee Donegal and married to a Corkman! Niamh works as a tour guide specialising in historical walking tours of Donegal Town and also works part time in the Donegal Railway Heritage Museum.
She has always loved Halloween as it falls around her birthday. For her 40th birthday she decided to make the dress of her dreams – an 18th century Marie Antoinette confection.
Niamh’s interest in historical costuming really took off in Covid times, when she had a lot of time on her hands. She began to look at using recycled fabrics such as curtains and duvet covers to keep costs down and be more eco friendly. She occasionally conducts walking tours in costume, any excuse to play dress up! Niamh first met Melissa Shiels when she attended a presentation Melissa was doing in Letterkenny, Co Donegal on Regency fashion, and she attended in full 18th century regalia. A match made in heaven.
Vitor Vicente is a Portuguese author of 12 published books with the theme of travelling running through all his work. He has been living in Ireland for more than 8 years. Some of his stuff has been translated to Spanish, Polish, English and Hungarian.
His latest title is the poetry collection “Harry Kernoff’s Guest”, which also contains reproductions of the paintings that inspired the writing.
He hosts the podcast TheWittyVitor.
In Conversation at our Culture Night >>Book here>>
Charlie McGettigan started his musical career in the 1960s in various rock bands in Donegal. Moving to Dublin in 1968 he honed in on the thriving folk scene there at the time. In 1973, Charlie formed the highly successful group Jargon, which went on to win the prestigious Letterkenny Folk Festival, following in the footsteps of bands like Clannad and Pumpkinhead. Charlie has worked with artists like Maura O’Connell and Eleanor Shanley who both recorded many of his songs including “Feet of a Dancer”, “A Bed for the Night” and “If Anything Happened to You”.
Charlie joined forces with Paul Harrington and Brendan Graham to win the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest for Ireland with “Rock n Roll Kids”. He has released many solo albums including “In Your Old Room”, “Family Matters” “ The man from 20” and “Stolen Moments” produced in Nashville by legendary producer Bil Vorndick. Charlie’s songs have been recorded by many artists including De Danann, Mary and Frances Black, Ray Lynam, Daniel O’Donnell, Sandy Kelly and Hal Ketchum to name but a few. Charlie presents the Arts Show and the Saturday Connection on Shannonside / Northern Sound radio. Both programmes focus on what’s happening in the world of Arts and Entertainment in the region. His book ‘Forever a Rock n Roll Kid’ was released in 2023.
Angela Tuite is a native of Westmeath, now living in Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford. She is a renowned Irish artist who has exhibited widely in Ireland and her work is held in many private collections throughout the world.
Her artistic talents have grown steadfastly over the years, being influenced by the impressionists, working mostly on both silk, canvas, wood and antique slate.
Angela facilitates workshops for both adults and children encouraging their self-expression and artistic experimentation. She has recently retired as an Art and Design Tutor with Longford Westmeath Education Training Board delivering workshops throughout the Midlands.
While the majority of her work deals with nature- based themes such as landscapes/treescapes, still life and abstract she loves to explore the magical and mythological essence of nature through her vibrant paintings. Her ideas, emotions and visual experiences are expressed through her love of colour, texture and fabric. The lustre of silk adds vibrancy to her paintings with the running and blending of colours creating unique magical effects.
Catherine McEnroe has been a member of the Carrickmacross Lace Co-op for over 20 years in that time has completed many lace items for the Gallery.
Marta Pasieczny, experienced Yoga teacher, living in Longford, Ireland. I am self employed, owner of MP Yoga sice 2016. I have been teaching physical activity for over 25 years wearing instructor ‚hats’ of fitness, dance, pilates, spinning, aquafit, personal trainer. Working in World Class Fitness in Poland for 3 years and Longford Arms Leisure Centre for 9 years I have been promoting a healthy lifestyle and engaging people to physical activity. There was always a missing element in my job and it was the Wellbeing. Yoga was an answer and became my main path. I have become qualified Yoga teacher in 2013, Yoga trainer on How to teach yoga for children and teens in 2014. Developing my own practice, I have created program of movement called Earth Element the path of life.
At present I teach Yoga for all age groups, Yoga for sports teams, Chair Yoga for seniors, yoga for disabilities and Earth Element the path of life. I provide classes in multiple places, meeting and connecting with people in county Longford. I love to share with them space of Yoga where we can be as we are, discover more about ourselves, learn how to relax and be more mindful. The space of Earth Element invites to work on coordination, balance and grounding.
Loving the active life, nature and adventure, walks and hikes. To escape the rainy weather in Ireland I organise Yoga Retreats in a sunny Fuerteventura.
Enda Whitney has been performing comedy all over Ireland and the World for many years. From the Kilkenny Cats Laughs Festival and The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Enda went on to perform with some of the biggest names in Irish, Canadian and American comedy in Ireland, New York and South Korea. Enda is known as “a master of crowd work and a punchy story teller”.
Longford Writer’s Group consists of a dedicated group of local writers who meet in Longford Library every third Wednesday at 8.00pm. The group has a membership of about 20. Its project in 2019 was the publication of a collection of short stories and poetry entitled ‘Home Made’, with contributions from 17 members
There is a widespread belief that our local historian, Matt, is married to Maria Edgeworth. Recognized as the Heritage Hero of 2017, he earned this title through his remarkable passion and unwavering commitment. Matt serves as the driving force behind the Maria Edgeworth Centre, dedicating himself to preserving her memory and promoting awareness of her family and the extraordinary heritage of Edgeworthstown.
Story Time – Once Upon A Time >>Book here>>
Craig Lucas is the Senior Library Assistant of Edgeworthstown Library. He is originally from London and has been living in Ireland for more than 20 years.
He loved reading bedtime stories to his children, but since they have long outgrown the desire for a story before sleeping, he now reads to children in the library!
Craig particularly likes reading silly stories that rhyme, and is a huge fan of children’s books by Dr Seuss, and Julia Donaldson.”
Singing at the Culture Night
Eimear hails from Rooskey in Co Roscommon.
Having come from a musical family, Eimear began her musical training at a young age and graduated from the DIT Conservatory of Music with a Bachelor of Music with Performance in 2015 where she studied with Edith Forrest and Collette McGahon-Tosh.
She then travelled extensively throughout the USA as part of an Irish Cabaret show performing to Irish American audiences and had the privilege of performing in Carnegie Hall in 2018 along side The New York Tenors and The Irish Tenors. Eimear has gone back to her classical roots over the last two years and is now continuing her vocal training under the guidance of renowned Irish Tenor Dr Ronan Tynan and Professor Darrell Babidge from the Juilliard School of Performing Arts in New York. Eimear is also one of the founders and directors of The Roscommon Solstice Choir and is also the director of St Mel’s Cathedral Children’s Choir.
Charlie Byrne’s Pop Up Bookshop >>learn more
Located on Middle Street in the heart of Galway City, Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop is I, one of Ireland’s best-loved independent bookshops Operating since 1989, this labyrinthine maze of over 100,000 books: new, second-hand, bargain and antiquarian has delighted book lovers from near and far for over three decades.
Provost of Trinity College Dublin >>Learn more here>>
Doctor Linda Doyle is an Irish academic and educator who is the 45th Provost of Trinity College Dublin, the university’s chief officer, having assumed the office in August 2021. Linda is an Irish engineer, professor, and academic leader noted for her work in optical and wireless communications, and her innovative integration of engineering with the creative arts. She made significant contributions at Trinity College Dublin (TCD), such as directing the Centre for Telecommunications Value-chain Research and leading the establishment of CONNECT, a national research center focused on future telecommunications. A prominent figure in academic research, Doyle raised over 70 million euros in research funding, supervised numerous Ph.D. candidates, and participated in various cooperative industry projects.
Her written work includes the book “Essentials of Cognitive Radio” and a wide array of research papers on topics including cognitive radio and convolutional neural networks. Doyle has also offered her expertise as an advisor to multiple boards, including Ireland’s National Broadband Steering Committee and Ofcom’s Spectrum Advisory Board, and actively participated in science outreach initiatives.
Mostrim Youth Players was founded in 2013 by Vanessa Flood Galligan under the umbrella of Mostrim Players, following the success of The American Wake, a production staged as part of The Gathering 2013. This production not only inspired the creation of the youth group but also played a key role in revitalizing Mostrim Players itself. Since then, Mostrim Youth Players has gone from strength to strength, with some of our earliest members now stepping into roles as facilitators. Even during the challenges of Covid-19, we remained active, engaging our young performers through online solo performances.
Today, the group continues to thrive under the leadership of our dedicated committee, with Pauline Flood at the helm and Kate Donohoe as a key facilitator. Supported by a committed team of local volunteers, we provide a vibrant and creative space for young people aged 5 to 16 to develop their confidence, skills, and love for drama.
Active Age Guest Speaker – learn more>>>>.
Pauline Lee – Registered General Nurse, Registered Psychiatric Nurse and BSC in Nursing management. Worked as director of nursing in Older Persons Services. Currently Project Manager for the implementation of the Irish National dementia Strategy (doh2014) CHO8. Project lead for the Memory Assessment and Support Service (MASS) Longford/Westmeath. Completed a masters in Dementia in Trinity College 2024.
