Leaves is an annual celebration of literature and music, culture and community run by the Laois Arts Office and Laois County Library Service. Some festival highlights for this year:
An evening of poetry and music featuring world renowned poet Paul Muldoon, with master fiddle player Caoimhín Ó'Raghallaigh and the legendary accordionist Brendan Begley in the lovely venue of St. Peter's Church of Ireland in Portlaoise.
Booker nominated author Niall Williams and highly acclaimed musician Mike Hanrahan joined forces for a very special evening of readings and songs in the beautiful Preston House in Abbeyleix.
A highly engaging event featuring a conversation between broadcaster and founder of Ireland's largest book club, Rick O'Shea and two very compelling and fresh voices in Irish literature, Caoilinn Hughes and Cathy Sweeney took place in Portlaoise Library.
One of Ireland's most acclaimed writers, Donal Ryan, returned to Leaves to read from his new novel Heart, Be at Peace and chatted with Claire O'Brien, presenter of Encore, Midlands 103's Arts & Culture Show in Portarlington Library.
The Laois Writers Group, now in it's 30th year, launched their anthology of works "Words Unlaoised" with acclaimed Kildare writer John McKenna in Portlaoise Library.
Kevin Curran's Youth was chosen as the One County, One Book title for this year and he delivered writer's workshops in Portlaoise and Portarlington Libraries. Kevin also delivered workshops to 5th year students from Scoil Chriost Ri and Portlaoise College in the Dunamaise Theatre and to students from Clonaslee CS in Mountmellick Library as part of the festival.
These are just a selection of some of the fantastic events held over the course of Leaves. Laois Library Service and the Laois Arts Office would like to thank all the participating writers and facilitators who made the delivery of such a diverse and interesting programme possible. Join us again next year, when we do it all again!