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family · Friday 10 July 2026 · Various - see programme at westcorkmusic.ie 
West Cork Literary Festival - Children's Programme 2026
At Various venues, Bantry town centre · Bantry, Co. Cork
At Various venues, Bantry town centre · Bantry, Co. Cork
The West Cork Literary Festival runs for a full week each July in Bantry, and tucked inside the main programme is a children’s strand that has been running for years alongside the adult events. It is free for all children and young people, designed for ages 4 to 14, and timed deliberately so parents can drop their children off and head to author talks, readings, or masterclasses at the same time. For a family who wants to get something out of a literary festival without taking turns minding small people, it is a genuinely thoughtful arrangement.
The children’s programme mixes author readings with creative workshops - the kind where children actually make something rather than just listen. The 2026 line-up features writers including Sarah Bowie, Paddy Donnelly, and Sarah Webb, all of whom have strong track records working with young readers in Ireland. Events have previously taken place at venues around Bantry town centre, including St. Brendan’s Hall, Bantry Library, and Bantry Bookshop, putting the action close together and easy to navigate on foot.
The programme spans the full eight days of the festival, from 10 to 17 July, so there is flexibility around which sessions suit your family’s schedule. Events are free but ticketed, so booking ahead is necessary - workshops in particular fill up fast. The full programme and booking links are at westcorkmusic.ie.
Bantry sits at the head of Bantry Bay in west Cork, roughly 88 km southwest of Cork City along the N71 - a scenic drive that winds through Dunmanway and Drimoleague. Bus Eireann operates services from Cork Bus Station to Bantry, with the journey taking around two hours depending on stops. The town itself is compact and walkable once you arrive, with parking available at the town square and on surrounding streets.
Bantry Bay is one of the most sheltered natural harbours in Ireland, and the town has a good mix of independent cafes, food shops, and the famous Bantry House and Gardens a short walk from the centre - worth adding to the day if children are with you. There is more to see in Bantry and across Co. Cork.
Heading to Various venues, Bantry town centre in Bantry? Cork has plenty more to see. Read the Bantry area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.