Ireland’s essential Spoken Word Guide for events this November
November is brimming with spoken word and storytelling events across Ireland, blending traditional tales, modern poetry, open mics, and vibrant performances. Kicking off is Candlelit Tales' Samhain Storytelling, running from October 31st to November 2nd at Dublin’s Irish Whiskey Museum, concluding with a finale that brings myth and folklore to life. November 2nd is packed with options: Craicly x Púca in Brogan’s Bar, Trim, invites audiences to an evening of storytelling and poetry, while Women of Wit presents Secrets and Lies at Bewley’s Café in Dublin, weaving comedy, music, and confessional tales.
Candlelit Tales returns with Tree Lore - Myths & Music on November 3rd in Wicklow, supporting the Gaelic Woodland Project. That same day, Cultivating Voices Live Poetry Online gathers poets from around the globe for a virtual open mic. The Circle Sessions in Dublin’s International Bar continues its weekly series on November 4th, 11th, 18th, and 25th, offering poetry, storytelling, and music. November 5th sees Hold That, Keep That! at The Back Page in Dublin with rapid-fire performances, followed by The Dublin Story Slam open mic at the Sugar Club. That evening, Fermanagh Writers gather in Enniskillen at Blakes of the Hollow, with additional meetings on November 12th, 19th, and 26th.
On November 6th, Dublin’s Poetry Kiln Collective hosts its 2025 calendar launch at the Pawn Shop, and Limerick’s First Wednesday Series welcomes Michael Farry at The Whitehouse Bar. Clonakilty’s DeBarra’s Folkclub in Cork presents Kemi in Motion, adding spoken word to their lineup.
For those looking to fill their Thursdays, Ardkeen Library Storytelling Group in Waterford hosts a weekly storytelling open mic from November 7,th with Smithfield Creatives holding multi-genre open mics every Thursday at the Bernard Shaw in Dublin. That evening also brings Lime Square Poets’ weekly online event, Sligo’s Illuminations at Bookmart, Wexford’s So Say So, and Cork’s Cork Yarnspinners at Counihan’s Bar.
Dublin Book Festival brings bilingual poetry with Takin’ the Mic and DBF After Dark, featuring poets and music, from November 8th to 9th. In Bray on November 9th, Rose Lawless shares Two Newgrange Stories Solstice, and Maria Credali’s Spine Tingling Tales brings dark stories to life. Dublin Book Festival’s Literary Cabaret with Dagogo Hart and Sarah Rees Brennan also takes place that evening.
On November 11th, Cork’s Ó Bhéal presents special guests Tom Hirons and Jeff Cottrill upstairs at the Long Valley Bar, while Words by the Sea Open Mic meets at Walters in Dún Laoghaire on November 13th. Dublin’s Ceolta! celebrates music and poetry at the Grand Social on November 14th, while Cork’s IMBAS takes over Alchemy Coffee and Books with poetry and storytelling on November 15th. Belfast’s Purely Poetry Open Mic returns to the Crescent Arts Centre on November 15th, and the Dingle Literary Festival Open Mic follows suit.
The Ó Bhéal Winter Warmer Festival of Poetry runs from November 22nd to 24th in Cork’s Nano Nagle Place, showcasing nearly 40 poets in a hybrid format. On November 22nd, Dublin’s Winding Stair Bookshop hosts Orla Martin and Phil Lynch for a reading, and the Clare Poetry Collective presents an open mic at glór, Ennis, on November 23rd. The Talkatives – Grand Slam poetry competition, hosted by WeAreGriot, concludes the week on November 24th at Dublin’s Pawn Shop.
Closing out the month, Castleisland Arts Night in Kerry and Dolcáin's Cellar in Clondalkin provide spaces for spoken word, storytelling, and music on November 28th, while Derry’s Silver Tongued Deviance, hosted by Frank Rafferty, brings another chance for open mic performances. Dublin’s The Sunflower Sessions and Dublin’s Finest also invite performers for their monthly events that evening. November 29th brings Open Mic Social Hosted by Frank Golden to Banner Books, offering an intimate space for writers and poets in Dublin, while Purely Poetry Open Mic returns to Belfast’s Crescent Arts Centre.
Capping off an incredible month of spoken word and storytelling, the All-Ireland Poetry Slam final takes place on November 30th at Pearse Street Library in Dublin from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. This high-energy event will feature the finest poets from across the country, competing for the title in an afternoon filled with powerful performances and passionate verses.
This November, Ireland’s spoken word scene offers a platform for every voice, with events ranging from intimate gatherings to grand festivals, and both live and virtual stages, showcasing the island’s rich tapestry of poetry, storytelling, music, and performance.
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