brought the entire room to silence

James A., Belfast

“Anam 2024 was a soulful blend of storytelling, and community. Kit de Waal’s reading brought the entire room to silence—she has a way of reaching right into your heart. Deeply moving."

Truly one of a kind.

Niamh Kelly, Sligo

The play Clutch, performed in the front seat of a car, had me in actual tears—from laughter.  The acting was brilliant. It’s this kind of unexpected magic that makes Anam truly one of a kind.

Felt like pure poetry

Eimear Walsh, Kilkenny

Listening to Liz Quirke read in the sunny courtyard at Madden’s on Sunday felt like pure poetry—literally and emotionally.... it was one of those rare, perfect moments. I’ll be thinking about it for a long time.

Sarah Ní Chonghaile, Westport

That Sunday reading in Madden’s courtyard with Colm Keegan and Liz Quirke was something else. The sun was shining, the crowd was quiet, and those two just lit the place up. Raw, honest, and at times laugh-out-loud funny,
I could’ve listened to them all day. It was one of those perfect festival moments you wish you could bottle."
 

Raw, honest, laugh-out-loud funny

Honest, haunting, and full of heart

Alan J., Dublin

Pa Sheehy’s performance was pure gold. Honest, haunting, and full of heart. It wasn’t just a gig—it was a shared experience between him and the crowd. I caught myself tearing up more than once, and judging by the faces around me, I wasn’t the only one."

His presence and storytelling are next-level.

Sinéad Brennan, Wexford

The crowd was completely locked in during Pa Sheehy’s set, no phones out, no chatting, just everyone fully present. His voice is one thing, but his presence and storytelling are next-level. A highlight of the festival, hands down