Ms Máire Logue:

Yes, it is. Christine Dwyer Hickey came to Listowel over 20 years ago. She just happened on the festival, wondering what went on at it. She started writing, won the short story competition and six years ago won the biggest prize in Ireland for the Irish novel of the year, supported by us and the Kerry Group. That shows that there is a legacy from the grassroots, that Listowel looks after its authors from their emergence to their establishment. They love to return because they see what it means for emerging writers to come to Listowel.

We were the first people to introduce a creative writing workshop, which was brought to Listowel by Dr. Bryan MacMahon after he had come across it in America. We have extended the festival to create a national children's festival and a young adult festival too. We are looking after the grassroots and bringing writers forward with us. Our budget every year is approximately €280,000, depending on the size of the festival. We were lucky this year to have it voted best Irish festival in the Irish hospitality awards. We were not surprised but delighted. The 50th festival will take place in two years' time.

There is a board of directors with a chairperson, as well as one full-time member of staff and two part-time members of staff and a community employment scheme person. These are the people who produce the festival. The most important group beneath them is the voluntary committee which is made up of between 40 and 45 people from Listowel and beyond who devote one year to the festival. We hold bi-monthly meetings, separating into the different areas - literary, public relations and marketing. Everything is done in-house. There are no consultants. We have to do it all ourselves because our budget is so tight. Out of it comes the experience that is Listowel Writers Week.