From Bantry Bay

It’s been a week since the long drive home from the West Cork Literary Festival in Bantry — and what an unforgettable experience it was.

Receiving this was special

The main reason I attended this year was to read my story Night, Joxer at the From the Well anthology launch, after it placed second in the competition. But I’ll be back next year regardless!

The gorgeous From The Well anthology

Myself, my wife, our two children, and my mother-in-law made the trip from Armagh, turning it into a family holiday. We didn’t know quite what to expect, but what we found blew us away. The whole town was buzzing — there was a real energy in the air. Everyone, and I mean everyone, was friendly and welcoming. Not even a midweek torrential downpour could dampen the mood.

Hey, there’s me.

On the first evening, I attended the Fish Anthology launch, where a series of phenomenal writers read their selected pieces — culminating in my dear friend Jay McKenzie’s powerful winning story This Is London, Baby. A remarkable piece of writing.

The incredible Jay McKenzie reading her Fish winning story

Throughout the week, there were talks and readings to suit every taste. I sat in on a brilliant discussion between Ross Raisin (author and winner of the 2024 BBC National Short Story Award) and Paul McVeigh (author of The Good Son and I Hear You), which was full of insight. I even bumped into Paul in our hotel and was able to give him fair warning that I’ll be in his class this week at the John Hewitt Summer School!

I also attended readings from Wendy Erskine and Lisa Harding, both discussing their new novels — which are now firmly on my TBR list. And a highlight was hearing Patrick Holloway speak in Bantry Bookshop about his beautiful debut novel The Language of Remembering — if you haven’t read it yet, you should.

The week closed with the From the Well launch on Friday, where I had the honour of reading my own story, and listening to brilliant readings from Sophie Treacy and Eamon Doggett — his winning story Jellied Minds was nothing short of a masterpiece.

Sophie Tracy, myself and Eamon Doggett at the launch

This was my first time truly experiencing a literary festival. I’ve attended the ILFDublin and the Belfast Book Festival before — but only for single events. Bantry was different. It immersed me in the world of literature in a way I hadn’t expected. It opened my eyes.

The whole time there felt a little surreal and never knew what to expect.

I’d be standing in a bookshop, and there’s Daragh Fleming, a poet I’ve admired for years. Turn around and there’s Wendy Erskine, one of Ireland’s greatest short story writers. Walking down the street and I interrupt Patrick Holloways lunch. And as I said, Paul McVeigh in a lift.

The whole experience was incredible — re-energising, inspiring, and humbling. It’s lit the fire again, and I’ve already started eyeing up next year’s annual leave.