Irish Stories

Some stories begin with a plan. This one began with a saint who, according to legend, landed at the port of Livorno: enough of an excuse, years ago, for a few of us to found a literary festival there and name it after him. The San Patrizio Livorno Festival was …

The Bloomsday of the San Patrizio Livorno Festival celebrates James Joyce in a unique way: open-air readings, local dialects, and real places that mirror the Dublin of Ulysses. Now we want to bring that spirit to other cities. Want to create your own Bloomsday? 📩 info@italish.eu

My name is Max O’Rover. Yes, it’s a pseudonym. And yes, it has to do with the idea of travel, of movement — above all, of return. Return to Ireland.

Once again, we celebrate Samuel Beckett's birthday with a special live-streaming event, organised by SPLF (San Patrizio Livorno Festival) and ItalishMagazine together with SamuelBeckett.it.

San Patrizio Livorno Festival #SPLF - SINCE 2018 - a celebration of Irish culture, literature, and music meets Italian traditions, fostering dialogue and collaboration between the two countries' #SPLF25 This is the longest edition yet, featuring our richest line-up of guests.: along with Catherine Dunne (Co-Director, Co-Founder): Theo Dorgan, Paula Meehan, Katherine Mezzacappa, Federico Platania, Claudio Monteleone, Matteo Meschiari, William Wall, Elaide Garufi, Áine Duffy e Ray Heffernan. Ex Cinema Aurora (and Librerie Mondadori Livorno - SPLF-OFF on Tue 18 - Dorgan Meehan and Wed 19 - Platania's  'Arcipelago Familiare, readings from Claudio Monteleone) MARCH MON 17 / SUN 23  | italish.eu | Démadé Festival, Liceo Francesco Cecioni, Comune di Livorno, Provincia di Livorno, Culture Ireland, Irish Embassy in Italy

The San Patrizio Livorno Festival (SPLF25) returns from Monday March 17 to Sunday 23, 2025, marking its most ambitious edition yet, with a record number of international guests, cultural events, and collaborations.

San Patrizio Livorno Festival (SPLF) Confirms Media Partnership with the Samuel Beckett Society for 2025 Edition (#SPLF25)

Literary competition for very short stories (Flash Fiction Contest) The Flash Fiction Contest dedicated to the memory of Christopher Lawlor, a friend of the Festival who is no longer with us, finally returns to the San Patrizio Livorno Festival with the 2025 edition (March 17-23).

Last June 15th, I had the privilege of attending a highly anticipated event at the Dalkey Book Festival, where Barry McGovern, one of the world's premier interpreters of Samuel Beckett, performed a captivating reading from Beckett's works. Joined by fellow Beckettians, the evening reaffirmed Beckett's enduring relevance and showcased McGovern's exceptional ability to blend humor and existential reflection. As the performance concluded, thoughts of bringing such a profound experience to the San Patrizio Livorno Festival sparked excitement and inspiration for future cultural exchanges.

We are excited to announce the launch of the San Patrizio Livorno Festival 2025 (#SPLF25), which will take place from Monday, March 17 to Sunday, March 23, 2025, as usual at Ex Cinema Aurora. Paula Meehan and Theo Dorgan are the first confirmed guests.