Oliver Goldsmith Festival

The Oliver Goldsmith Festival is a long‐standing cultural fixture in County Longford, celebrating one of Ireland’s most beloved literary figures, Oliver Goldsmith, and the rural heritage of the region known as “Goldsmith Country.” Founded in 1984, this annual festival takes place over the June bank‑holiday weekend, spanning various venues around south Longford and neighbouring County Westmeath. It is one of Ireland’s most established literary festivals of its kind.

Each year the festival adopts a thematic focus that revisits both Goldsmith’s writings and pressing contemporary issues. The programme typically includes:

• Lectures, workshops, and academic readings.
• A literary tour through “Goldsmith Country,” visiting sites associated with his life.
• Musical performances, theatre, poetry readings and community‑focused events.
• A poetry competition, for both adults and schools.

The festival is deeply rooted in place. Oliver Goldsmith was born in Pallas, near Ballymahon in County Longford, and many events take place in Ballymahon Library, in the Pallas birthplace site, and throughout “Goldsmith Country.” Its setting in a rural Irish landscape gives the festival a strong sense of identity and authenticity.

The festival has been generously supported by a wide range of funding partners including Longford Arts, Creative Ireland Longford and Longford Tourism.