Ms Catherine Moylan:

I can give an example of the diverse people who come to Listowel Writers Week. Last year I was sitting beside a visitor whose name was James and who was from County Mayo. I asked how the festival was going for him and he said: "I left school when I was 13 years old, so my education is coming to Listowel Writers Week. I have come here every year for the last 30 years." At the age of 70 years, last year he published his first book of poetry. I like to think Listowel Writers Week was part of the reason, in giving inspiration and providing somebody like him with an opportunity to experience a world of creativity, literature, imagination and fun.