Town of Books Festival - Graiguenamanagh

Graiguenamanagh does something quietly remarkable every August: it turns itself into a town of books. More than 25 independent booksellers take over the streets, doorways, and open spaces of this medieval riverside village, turning a Saturday browse into something you can spend an entire weekend on. The Town of Books Festival suits anyone who loves reading - or anyone who simply enjoys a good rummage - but it draws a particular crowd of those after the kinds of titles you rarely find in a chain shop: second-hand and antiquarian volumes, specialist and collector editions, and a strong children’s section. Admission is free.

What to expect

The stalls carry new, second-hand, antiquarian, children’s and specialist books, so the range runs from recent fiction through to old maps and out-of-print local history. The 2026 edition includes author appearances and book signings - crime writer Dan O’Sullivan, a retired Detective Garda, will discuss his debut novels, and journalist-turned-author David Looby brings his psychological thriller. Children’s and young adult authors are also part of the line-up. Beyond the books, the festival fills the town with poetry, workshops, music, food stalls and craft sellers - it is genuinely the kind of day where you arrive for the books and stay for the atmosphere. The town setting along the River Barrow, with Brandon Hill rising behind it, gives the whole thing a backdrop that a purpose-built festival site simply cannot match. Bring a bag or two for your finds.

Getting there

Graiguenamanagh sits in the south-east of Co. Kilkenny, on the R705 between Borris (Co. Carlow) and Thomastown. From Kilkenny city it is roughly 25km south-east, following the R700 and R705 via Thomastown - about 30 minutes by car. From New Ross in Wexford it is a shorter drive, around 20 minutes north on the R705. There is no direct bus service to the town on a regular basis, so most visitors arrive by car. Parking is available in and around the town centre; the streets are compact and the festival venues are all within easy walking distance of each other.

While you’re in Graiguenamanagh

The town has one of the finest intact Cistercian abbeys in Ireland - Duiske Abbey dates to 1204 and is still a working parish church - and the River Barrow alongside the town quay is a good place to watch narrowboats and kayakers passing through. There is more to see in Graiguenamanagh and across Co. Kilkenny.

Good to know

• Date: Saturday 15 August 2026, from 10:00am
• Price: Free admission
• Venue: Graiguenamanagh Town Centre - stalls spread through the town streets
• Programme: Check graiguenamanaghtownofbooks.ie for the full author schedule and any ticketed events
• Heritage Week: The festival runs during National Heritage Week (15-23 August), so additional heritage events may be on in the area on the same day