Curated by Librarians across South Dublin Libraries

Featuring Cecelia Ahern, Ardal O’Hanlon, Louise O’Neill, Emmet Kirwan, Miriam O’Callaghan, Sarah Waters, Sophie Hannah, Justine Stafford, Imani Thompson, Anthony Delaney, Siobhán Fenton, and much, much more. 

The Red Line Book Festival returns this October, marking its 15th anniversary with an exciting programme filled with over 40 events. This year’s programme brings together some of Ireland’s best-known names alongside new and emerging voices, with events covering fiction, memoir, poetry, politics, music and more.

Tickets will be available from September 9th 2026. Visit redlinefestival.ie for bookings and programme information. Please note that ISL will be offered at select events.

At its heart, the Red Line Book Festival unites authors and audiences, making literature and culture accessible to all. A cornerstone of South Dublin County’s cultural calendar, the festival is uniquely curated by librarians from South Dublin Libraries, whose deep connection to their communities shapes the diverse and engaging programme each year.

This year, audiences can enjoy events featuring bestselling authors Cecelia Ahern and Louise O’Neill, acclaimed actor and author Ardal O’Hanlon, an evening of spoken word and theatre with Emmet Kirwan, broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan, and the award-winning Sarah Waters, bestselling crime writer Sophie Hannah, comedian, writer and social media favourite Justine Stafford, acclaimed British writer  Imani Thompson, historian, actor and broadcaster Anthony Delaney, journalist and former Sinn Féin press adviser Siobhán Fenton and much, much more

The Red Line Book Festival runs from October 12th to 18th  2026, spanning seven days with events taking place in The Civic, Rua Red, Rathfarnham Castle, and various South Dublin County Council Libraries.

Speaking at the launch, Sarah Elaine McHugh, Festival Director said: “The Red Line Book Festival has always been about bringing people together through great books and exciting ideas. As a festival curated by librarians, we want the programme to reflect the range of communities we work with every day. In our 15th year, I’m really proud that we’re continuing to bring big names and new voices to libraries and venues across South Dublin while continuing to make our festival welcoming and open to everyone.”

On Saturday, October 17th, Tallaght Library, Parthalán Place, and the Civic Theatre will unite for a massive Family Fun Day., an action-packed celebration featuring interactive creative workshops, live historical reenactments, and pop-culture fun for all ages.

The festival also welcomes folk musician Bríd Lyons as this year’s Songwriter in Residence. Over five weeks, Lyons will mentor emerging talent, helping participants develop their voice through workshops in lyric writing and melody.

Festival Highlights include:

  • Beloved bestselling author Cecelia Ahern joins broadcaster and author Ryan Tubridy for a special conversation about her life, writing and remarkable career. From the phenomenal success of PS, I Love You to her latest novel, Love Unlocked, Cecelia will talk about where her stories come from and how her writing has evolved over the years.
  • Actor, comedian and author Ardal O’Hanlon sits down with broadcaster and book lover Rick O’Shea to talk about his new novel, A Plot to Die For. Ardal will discuss creating Finn and the world of Abbeyford, his move into cosy crime and his plans for the series, which mixes small-town characters, mystery and the humour for which he is so well known.
  • Louise O’Neill: A Bigger Life. Bestselling author Louise O’Neill sits down with Senator Lynn Ruane to discuss her new memoir followed by a Q&A and signing, A Bigger Life. A Bigger Life is a candid exploration of heartbreak, desire, sexual freedom and the expectations placed on women.
  • An Evening with Emmet Kirwan is a special event that brings one of Ireland’s most distinctive theatrical voices to the stage for a night of performance, spoken word and conversation, a chance to experience Emmet’s work live and up close.
  • Miriam O’Callagan: Life, Work and Everything. Miriam O’Callaghan is one of Ireland’s most recognisable and respected broadcasters. In this talk with author Vicki Notaro, she reflects on her remarkable career and the stories behind her best-selling memoir.
  • Internationally acclaimed novelist Sarah Waters comes to Red Line Book Festival for a special evening looking at her remarkable writing career. In conversation with historian and writer Dr Mary McAuliffe, she’ll discuss her books, queer history and the history that has shaped her work.
  • 100 Years of Murder: Celebrating Agatha Christie: Join bestselling crime writer Sophie Hannah, the author chosen to continue Agatha Christie’s legendary Hercule Poirot stories, in conversation with acclaimed Irish crime writer Catherine Ryan Howard. Together.
  • Justine Stafford: The Irish Art of “It’ll Be Grand”: Justine Stafford, comedian, writer and social media favourite, sits down with presenter and Flop Culture host Fionnuala Jay to talk about her new book, The Irish Art of It’ll Be Grand. Taking its cue from that most Irish of reassurances – “Ah look, it’ll be grand” – the book is a tongue-in-cheek guide to the Irish approach to life.
  • Join Imani Thompson author of Honey and Lisa Harding, author of The Wildelings as they talk to Tanya Sweeney about their dark, campus thrillers, Imani Thompson is a British writer with Jamaican heritage. During her time studying Sociology at Cambridge University, she won the Vogue new writer’s prize. She is now working on her second novel.Lisa Harding is a is a former actress, playwright, short story writer and novelist is currently in early development for stage and screen adaptations. She is currently the established writer in residence at DLR Lexicon.
  • Queer Georgians: Historian, actor and broadcaster Anthony Delaney sits down with Brian Sheehan to discuss his new book, Queer Georgians: A Hidden History of Lovers, Lawbreakers and Homemakers. Drawing on diaries, letters, court records and newspapers, his first book uncovers the lives of queer people in Georgian Britain and Ireland.
  • Siobhan Fenton: Ourselves Alone: Sinn Fein Behind Closed Doors: Journalist and former Sinn Féin press adviser Siobhán Fenton sits down with political correspondent and author Gavan Reilly to discuss her highly anticipated new book, Ourselves Alone: Sinn Féin Behind Closed Doors. Drawing on her time working inside the party, Fenton offers a revealing account of Sinn Féin during a period of extraordinary political change. I
  • Reel Flamenco: Reel Flamenco brings the energy of Irish traditional dance together with the passion of Andalusian flamenco in a vibrant new performance where music and movement tell their own story. Led by acclaimed dancers and choreographers Juan Carlos Avecilla and Louise O’Sullivan, a former Principal Lead Performer with Riverdance, alongside members of The Rubik’s Ensemble, the performance explores how two distinct traditions use rhythm, song and dance to tell stories and express a shared cultural heritage. Funded as part of the Culture Programme for Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union 2026.

Family Fun Day Highlights

  • Parthalán Place transforms into a living history encampment where Lakes Vikings and Boyne Valley Events bring 1,000-year-old history to life with authentic weapons displays, ancient cooking demonstrations, a 20-foot Viking longship, and live birds of prey from Raven Haven Aviaries.
  • Tallaght Library will host a range  of entertainment drop in events alongside artist-led creative workshops that include sensory Explorers Messy Play, Dungeons & Dragons: Introductory tabletop role-playing sessions, Cartoonify Yourself with Artist Phillip Barrett, Superhero Mask Making, Let’s Make Comics!: with Illustrator Kate Escolin
  • The Civic Theatre’s Studio Space hosts bestselling author and illustrator Karen Harte (Effie is Offline, Milly McCarthy) for an interactive draw-along session.

For the full programme details visit: redlinefestival.ie.