An exciting line-up promised as big names confirmed for Allingham Arts Festival

The Allingham Arts Festival has become one of Ireland’s leading literary and arts festivals, attracting leading lights in the arts and fostering creativity among people of all ages. 

Dates for 2026 have been announced, as have the first details of what promises to be a fantastic line-up in venues across Ballyshannon.

A spokesperson said: “The Allingham Arts Festival returns to Ballyshannon this November 4 to 8, and we can't wait to throw open the doors once again!

“We're busy planning another five days and nights of arts, music, history, and storytelling - featuring local, national, and international artists in the heart of south Donegal.

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“The committee have been hard at work over the winter months scouring the land for the finest writers, poets, and performers to bring to Ballyshannon this November.

“More details coming soon. For now, here's a first look at some of this year's guests.”

Róisín Ingle

Columnist, features writer, and podcaster with The Irish Times. Author of Pieces of Me, Public Displays of Emotion, and co-author of The Daughterhood. Her latest book, My Perfect Place in Ireland, gathers favourite Irish locations from well-known Irish voices. Róisín also produces and co-presents the award-winning Women's Podcast.

Michael Harding

The writer, podcaster, and storyteller returns to Ballyshannon this November. A member of Aosdána, Michael has had five plays staged at the Abbey Theatre and is the author of a much-loved series of memoirs from Staring at Lakes to his most recent, I Loved Him From the Day He Died. A familiar voice from his Irish Times column, he lives near Lough Allen in County Leitrim.

Elaine Feeney

Novelist and poet from the West of Ireland, and lecturer at the University of Galway. Her debut novel As You Were won the Kate O'Brien Prize and the McKitterick Prize. Her second novel How to Build a Boat was longlisted for the Booker Prize and named a Best Book of 2023 by The New Yorker. Her third novel, Let Me Go Mad in My Own Way, won the Library Association of Ireland Author of the Year.

“There's plenty more to come,” continued the spokesperson. “Writing competitions, concerts, exhibitions, book launches, history talks, workshops - the full programme will be announced in the months ahead. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram so you don't miss a thing.”

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The festival is held in honour of, and in the spirit of, esteemed Ballyshannon poet William Allingham and his wife, artist Helen Allingham.