Do you reach for a poem to be inspired? Does a good book lift your spirits? If yes, then the Well Festival of Arts and Wellbeing 2026 would love to hear from you! The festival is calling on literature lovers to submit their favourite piece of writing (not self-written) for consideration for Sunshine: sharing writings to brighten our souls*…., the ever-popular event to celebrate the joy of reading, taking place at The Book Centre, Waterford on Friday 20 February. Submissions should be emailed to info@realta.ie by Tuesday 03 February with “Sunshine” in the subject line. Successful applicants will be invited to share their selections with the public at this uplifting evening of readings and music. Further details about the festival will be available from www.wellwaterford.com from 27 January.
The Well Festival of Arts and Wellbeing champions and celebrates how the arts help us to feel good. Taking place from 16-21 February 2026, the festival features an exciting line-up of fun, inventive and sociable arts events for all ages, with musicians, artists, poets, storytellers, dancers and theatre-makers, in addition to a programme of Wellies, the festival’s events for younger audiences.
Announcing details of this year’s Sunshine: sharing writings to brighten our souls.., Claire Meaney, Director of Réalta (Waterford Healing Arts), said “We’re thrilled to present Sunshine again this year in The Book Centre, Waterford. This lovely event is inspired by AA Milne’s ‘Winnie the Pooh’, when Eeyore says “It never hurts to keep looking for sunshine”. This is what ‘Sunshine’ is all about: sharing writing that helps us to feel good. It’s a place where we connect with old friends and new, all of whom share a love of reading and a desire to present their favourite poems or other pieces of writing in a relaxed and friendly setting. The wonderful, warm and welcoming artist, photographer and writer Catherine Drea will be our Guest MC once again. We would also like to extend our sincere gratitude to The Book Centre, Waterford, for their continued kind and loyal sponsorship of Sunshine.”
The Well Festival of Arts and Wellbeing is funded by the Arts Council, the HSE and Waterford City and County Council. The festival is presented by Réalta (Waterford Healing Arts), Waterford City and County Libraries and Garter Lane Arts Centre. The full festival programme will be launched on 27 January and will be available at www.wellwaterford.com See the Well Festival also on Facebook and Instagram @wellwaterford
IMAGE: Peter Hennessy at Sunshine 2025. Photo by DGM Photographic
ENDS
