The Cúirt International Festival of Literature returns to Galway this April for its 40th edition – and what a programme it is. Since its beginnings as a three-day poetry festival in 1985, Cúirt has grown into an essential fixture in the literary calendar, a meeting ground for world-class writers and new voices alike.
This year, the festival honours its past while celebrating the future of literature from April 8th-13th. Kicking things off in fitting style, Paul Muldoon and Sally Rooney will open proceedings at the Town Hall Theatre, setting the tone for a week of remarkable conversations, readings and performances. Expect to see Irish literary heavyweights like Anne Enright, Roddy Doyle and Donal Ryan reflecting on their careers, while poet Christodoulos Makris brings the festival’s archives to life with a special poetic intervention scattered across the city.
From special showcases of new Irish writing to a renewed focus on literature in translation, Cúirt 40 highlights the festival’s enduring international spirit. Stuart Murdoch of Belle and Sebastian will discuss his debut novel Nobody’s Empire, Ahmed Masoud will deliver the much-anticipated Cúirt Lecture on the literature of Palestine and Kayo Chingonyi will present a preview of Prodigal, his extraordinary new memoir. Meanwhile, a special event will celebrate newly reissued editions of Samuel Beckett’s Molloy, Malone Dies and The Unnamable – a fresh look at the works that reshaped modern literature.
Beyond the headline events, poetry remains at the festival’s heart, with readings taking place across Galway in venues like The Mick Lally Theatre, Nuns Island, An Taibhdhearc and Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop. And for those who love a good festival anecdote, Capturing Cúirt: 40 Years of Stories promises to bring together the best tales from its history.
Whether you’re a longtime festival-goer or stepping into Cúirt for the first time, this year’s programme is one of its strongest yet. Explore the full lineup and plan your visit here.
