The Ennis Book Club Festival has confirmed the beginning of its 20th anniversary celebrations, ahead of the main Festival weekend taking place from 6–8 March 2026.
As one of Ireland’s most beloved literary festivals, EBCF has spent two decades fostering a love of reading, building community, and welcoming voices from near and far.
To mark this milestone, the Festival is launching a series of early initiatives that invite international participants, new arrivals to Ireland, artists, and local book lovers to get involved and help shape the celebrations.
Director of the festival, Martina Durac says, “I am excited to be programming the 20th anniversary edition of EBCF and look forward to welcoming everyone to Ennis next March for what will be a weekend of celebration and creativity. Central to that are these initiatives, designed to bring more artists and readers into our orbit, a wonderful chance to see and hear their work represented when we all meet in 2026”.
The Beyond Borders Book Club returns, inviting people from abroad now living in Ireland to share literature from their countries of origin. Applications are now open to people living in Ireland to present books from their country of origin, sharing personal stories and cultural insights through literature. Monthly discussions will run from autumn 2025 and culminate in a special live event during the Festival weekend. Applications extended to 14 November 2025.
A Global Book Club Callout welcomes book clubs from Ireland and abroad to host live events during the Festival. This ticketed event will showcase the joy of reading and the power of shared conversation across borders.
Applications are open until November 30th, 2025.
A Call for Artists seeks original artwork that reflects the Festival’s themes of community, creativity, and connection. To visually mark the Festival’s 20th year, a callout to artists has been issued for original artwork that captures the spirit of community, creativity, and connection. The selected piece will be featured across all promotional materials and celebrated as part of the anniversary programme.
Submissions are welcome until November 4th, 2025.
The Short Story Competition offers emerging writers a chance to be published and read at the Festival, judged this year by acclaimed author Wendy Erskine. Deadline extended to December 10th 2025.
These initiatives reflect the Festival’s ongoing commitment to diversity, inclusion, and creative collaboration, and are part of a wider programme designed to celebrate 20 years of literary joy in Ennis. For more information on these initiatives email.
