‘Finding the Words’ the theme as Cúirt programme is launched

Among the international guests are Gwendoline Riley, Adania Shibli, Balsam Karam, Nikesh Shukla, Alan Davies, Polly Barton; Juliano Zaffino and Claire-Louise Bennett

There are seven events 'thrí Ghaeilge', among them a discussion of Dinnseanchas - the lore of place in contemporary Irish-language literature. Cork writers Lorraine Ní Chathasaigh and Seán Óg Ó Duinnín will discuss the importance of place in their work and demonstrate that via a selection of readings. The session will be hosted by Cló Iar-Chonnacht founder, writer Micheál Ó Conghaile.

The Cúirt Lecture for 2026 will be delivered by Galway poet Sarah Clancy who will reflect on her journey with the 2025 Global Sumud Flotilla. The largest ever civilian humanitarian aid flotilla, it involved more than 500 participants from almost 50 countries who attempted to bring aid to Palestinians in Gaza during the illegal Israeli blockade, but were intercepted by Israeli forces. The flotilla did, however, ensure the eyes of the world were on Israel and its genocidal actions against the civilian population of Gaza.

Cúirt will also be collaborating with several journals, including The Stinging Fly (on a climate issue) ROPES, Banshee, Pigs Back, PVA and Tolka and Ragaire.

Events for children will include the launch of Gyasi Sheppy’s debut children’s book But Dancing is for Girls! where inclusion, being unapologetically yourself, and dancing are at the heart of the story. Méabh McDonnell from Loughrea, whose books include Into the Witchwood and Any Way You Slice It, will host a Breakfast Club for children aged 10 and older in Nuns' Island Arts Centre on Sunday, April 26. And Children’s Story Time in Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop will also return.

This year's Cúírt will celebrate three significant Irish writers, whose collective work spans the last 100 years; Seamus Heaney, Maeve Brennan and Manchán Magan. There will be reflections on their writings and their legacies, with many new writers exploring their voices in showcases throughout the week.

Cúirt Poetry Sessions will be held in association with Poetry Ireland ,while the festival has partnered with Galway Arts Centre and the Irish Museum of Modern Arts for an exhibition 'usual and generous ways', curated by Padraig Regan, that's running at the Arts Centre on Dominick Street from now until the end of Cúirt. As part of that collaboration, there will be a curator's talk and poetry reading with Padraig, who is also the Arts Centre's inaugural Writer in Residence.

There will be a wide range of workshops in association with the O'Donoghue Centre at the University of Galway, including one from from Jan Carson (short story), Polly Barton (non-fiction), Lucy Caldwell (inspiration in fiction), Vona Groarke (poetry) and a fiction masterclass from Elaine Feeney.

Venues this year will include the Town Hall Theatre, Druid's Mick Lally Theatre, Nuns Island Theatre, Galway Arts Centre, An Taibhdhearc, Charlie Byrne’s Bookshop and The O’Donoghue Centre at the University of Galway.

Speaking at the launch in Druid's Mick Lally Theatre this week, Cúirt's Manuela Moser said that, with the theme of “Finding the Words, we invite you to celebrate literature and the ways in which writers shape the way we see the world, fuel our imaginations, provide clarity and broaden our minds”.

She expressed the hope that Cúirt would offer people “a space to explore how we talk and write about what matters to us most and in doing so, help us to process the world around us.

We can’t wait to see you this April for a week brimming with novels, poetry, memoirs and exhibitions, where we hope Cúirt will help you to find the words”.

The full programme is available now at www.cuirt.ie.