39th John Hewitt International Summer School - Market Place Theatre Armagh

What to Expect

The 39th John Hewitt International Summer School returns to Armagh from Monday 27 July to Saturday 1 August 2026, using the Market Place Theatre and Abbey Lane Theatre as its main performance venues. The annual event is a week-long festival of literature, poetry, theatre, music and political discussion named after the Ulster poet John Hewitt. It draws writers, performers, academics and audiences from across Ireland and internationally.

The programme includes talks by established authors, creative writing workshops, a creative writing showcase where participants can read their own work on stage at Market Place or Abbey Lane Theatre, and theatre performances. Theatre and spoken word events are ticketed separately or included in delegate passes. Previous years have featured acclaimed one-person shows and poetry readings alongside panel debates on Irish culture and politics.

Good to Know

• Dates: Monday 27 July to Saturday 1 August 2026

• Venues: Market Place Theatre and Abbey Lane Theatre, Armagh

• Individual event tickets and full week delegate passes available - see johnhewittsociety.org for details

• Bursaries are available for writers from the Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon Council area

• Contact: festival@johnhewittsociety.org

Getting There

Both venues are in the centre of Armagh city. The Market Place Theatre is on Market Street, and Abbey Lane Theatre is a short walk away on Abbey Lane. Armagh is served by Translink Goldline coaches from Belfast, Newry, Portadown and Dungannon.