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Rath Literary Festival is back in Rathfriland this June with another packed programme, spanning literature, music, film and creative workshops. The 2026 festival takes place in Chandler's House and Drumballyroney Church the first weekend of June.
Organising committee member, Margot Groves said the festival has continued to grow in both ambition and community engagement. "We are back with more events and specifically, events catered to encourage people to exercise their creative side. We are showcasing some of the best local talent as well as bringing new faces to Rathfriland." she said.
Children are being placed at the centre of this year's programme, with local schools encouraged to take part in a storytelling and poetry competition. Free creative workshops tailored for different age groups will also be held on Friday and Saturday afternoons, led by local writer and creative educator Arlene Pattison.
The festival gets under way Thursday 4 June with a screening of Wuthering Heights, the classic adaptation of Emily Brontë's novel, at Chandler's House (tickets £5).
On Friday 5 June, Belfast author Tony Macauley joins local poet Maggie Doyle for an evening of prose, fun and song, with performances from local musicians Ria Maguire and Brídín Wells (tickets £10).
Saturday 6 June opens with a free family-friendly talk on nature writing for children by Eanna Ní Lamhna, followed by further free creative writing workshops for older children with Arlene Pattison. The programme then moves to Drumballyroney Church, granted for the occasion by Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council, where authors Chrissie Walsh and Rosemary Jenkinson will offer advice and insight into the writing journey alongside music from local folk group Blended Whiskey. Saturday evening features a special event with Edward Arthur Guinness (Lord Iveagh), discussing his book Guinness: A Family Succession, alongside historian Anne Harper, who will explore the historic Iveagh title and its local connections (tickets £10).
Sunday 7 June begins with a free open mic session at 11:30am hosted by John Shannon at Chandler's House, followed by a complimentary lunch at approximately 12:30pm. Those wishing to perform can register in advance by emailing rathliteraryfestival@gmail.com or calling Ada on 07803 598801.
On Sunday afternoon, Newpoint Players will perform The Trial of PH Pearse before the Court of History at Chandler's House at 2pm (free event). Formed in 1946, Newry's Newpoint Players is one of Ireland's top drama groups, having won three All Ireland Drama Titles. The festival closes at 7pm with the Suzanne Savage Quartet performing The Songs of Joni Mitchell (tickets £15), joined by Dublin pianist and arranger Johnny Taylor, Galway guitarist Aenghus Hackett and Belfast's Rod Patterson on double bass.
With a mix of free and ticketed events across the weekend, the Rath Literary Festival 2026 offers something for all ages.
For bookings and enquiries, email rathliteraryfestival@gmail.com or call 07803 598801.
