Heinrich Böll weekend blends poetry, art, performance and comedy on Mayo island

ACHILL Island’s 2026 Heinrich Böll Memorial Weekend promises a dynamic blend of literature, visual art, performance, and contemporary comedy, bringing together some of Ireland’s most compelling creative voices.

Running from May 1 to 3, the festival continues to honour Nobel Laureate Heinrich Böll, whose time on Achill shaped both his writing and the island’s cultural identity.

The weekend opens on Friday evening with a welcome from Dr. Kathleen Smyth, followed by remarks from German Ambassador David Gill, whose presence underscores the festival’s international dimension. Gill, described in the programme as 'a German civil servant and politician… serving as the German Ambassador to Ireland since August 2024', will also present the Student Essay Awards, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to nurturing young writers.

One of the most anticipated literary events is the Anne Shannon Memorial Writers Seminar, led by celebrated Galway poet Rita Ann Higgins. Known for her sharp wit, political bite, and deep compassion, Higgins has long been regarded as 'the people’s poet'. Her new retrospective, Jiving with Wasps: New & Selected Poems, spans four decades of work and showcases her trademark blend of humour, social critique, and emotional clarity. Higgins will also give a reading in St. Thomas’ Church on Saturday evening.

Also reading in St. Thomas’ Church on Saturday evening is John F. Deane - Achill-born poet, novelist, and founder of Poetry Ireland who remains a quiet but powerful presence in contemporary Irish poetry. His influence is felt in the festival’s emphasis on landscape, memory, and the role of Achill as a creative catalyst, and a location of interest for writers and artists.

Visual art takes centre stage on Saturday afternoon with the launch of From the Earth, a major new exhibition by Achill-born artist Margo McNulty, curated by Catherine Marshall.

McNulty’s work explores how memory and history become embedded in objects and landscapes. Her recent residencies, including the Markievicz Award and the Jackie Clarke Residency, have deepened her engagement with Irish historical narratives. The launch will include contributions from René Böll, further linking her work to the festival’s origins.

Performance art arrives in force with Nigel Rolfe, a seminal figure in the field. Rolfe’s collaboration with Paula Fitzsimons promises to be raw, immediate, and unpredictable. The programme describes their work as 'unrehearsed, unscripted… not planned or designed', emphasising the intensity that defines Rolfe’s practice. Earlier in the day, he will also speak about Joseph Beuys, offering insight into the lineage of European performance art.

A particularly exciting addition this year is David O’Doherty, whose appearance adds a fresh, contemporary energy to the festival. Known for his whimsical musical comedy and philosophical humour, O’Doherty brings a playful counterpoint to the weekend’s more reflective offerings. His presence signals the festival’s willingness to embrace new forms of expression while remaining rooted in its literary foundations.

Across three days, the Heinrich Böll Memorial Weekend offers a rich tapestry of poetry, art, performance, and conversation. With its blend of established voices and new creative directions, the 2026 programme reaffirms Achill’s place as one of Ireland’s most inspiring cultural landscapes.

Full programme and tickets are available at heinrichboellcottage.com.