Listowel

Listowel is a market town in County Kerry, Ireland, lying at the foot of the Dunkerron Mountains on the Blue Lake valley. The 2022 census recorded a population of approximately 3,800 residents, although the wider catchment area serves a larger rural community.

The town was founded in the 17th century, with its earliest recorded name appearing as “Lis-án-eil” meaning “little hollow” in Irish. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, Listowel developed as a centre for leather‑tanning and agricultural produce. In the early 20th century it became a prominent trading post for the surrounding hinterland and hosted a number of public houses and banks that still operate today.

Listowel is best known for its annual literary festival, the Listowel Writers’ Workshop, which attracts writers, poets, and speakers from around the world. The festival, established in 1982, has been credited with nurturing a rich literary tradition in the region, producing notable works by Irish authors such as John McGahern and John McDonald. In addition, the town hosts the Listowel Show each year, celebrating local equestrian talent and rural crafts.

Culturally, Listowel hosts several music and folk events, notably during the Féile an Phobail in August. The town also maintains a strong sporting culture, being home to Listowel Emmetts GAA club, whose hurling and Gaelic football teams compete in county championships.

Transport links include the N71 national secondary road connecting Listowel with Tralee and Westport, and a nearby railway station that provides services to Cork and Limerick. The local economy remains rooted in agriculture, small‑scale manufacturing, and tourism, with boutique hotels and bed‑and‑breakfast establishments catering to visitors drawn by Listowel’s heritage and natural scenery.