The Listowel literary festival has evolved over the years but continues to attract writers and book lovers.
In the past, the Listowel Writers' Week festival was considered quite lively and akin to a German Beer Festival.
Only in Ireland would you get a festival devoted to writing and the arts with the same atmosphere that pertains at a German Beer Festival.
There is however a strong work ethic during writers' week. People attend workshops in drama, poetry and journalism. This year the festival sees the launch of around a dozen books, three of which are in the Irish language.
Here in Listowel, it is the writers who meet and talk shop.
The festival is dedicated to the craft of writing. Along with those who earn their living from writing are those with no professional interest but who like to write as a hobby. The commercial side of Listowel Writers' Week is about book publishing while the festival brings considerable income to the town.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 29 June 1979. The reporter is Kevin O'Connor.
