Kerry Writers' Museum

The museum, in Seanchai House on Listowel's square, exists because of an anomaly: a north Kerry market town of about five thousand people produced John B Keane, playwright and publican; Bryan MacMahon, teacher and short story writer; Maurice Walsh, whose story became The Quiet Man; Brendan Kennelly, poet; and George Fitzmaurice. Rooms are given to each with manuscripts, letters and recreated settings, including Keane's pub corner. The other holding is stranger and more interesting: Bearlagair na Saer, a secret trade language used by stonemasons in this part of Kerry, with its own vocabulary, recorded and displayed here - one of very few such craft cants documented in Ireland. The museum also runs Listowel Writers' Week. The presentation is modest and volunteer-supported, and opening hours are limited outside the main season, which catches people making a special journey.

What's there

• The writers' rooms - Keane, MacMahon, Walsh, Kennelly and Fitzmaurice.
• Bearlagair na Saer - the stonemasons' secret language, recorded and displayed.
• The manuscripts and letters - working material from the local writers.
• The Georgian house - Seanchai House on Listowel's square.

When to go

April to October; opening is reduced or by arrangement in winter. During Writers' Week in late May or early June the museum is at the centre of the town.

Practical notes

Limited and seasonal opening - confirm before travelling. Modest, volunteer-supported presentation. It assumes some interest in the writers; without that it is a short visit.

Nearby

Listowel town and John B Keane's pub are a short walk; Ballybunion is west.