Mullingar Literary Festival will shine a spotlight on the strength, range and rising success of female authors this July, with three distinctive writers taking part in the 2026 programme.

Authors Chele Crawley, Jinny Alexander and Louise Ryan will each appear at the festival, bringing audiences into conversation around historical fiction, mystery writing, personal testimony, creativity, wellbeing and the writing life.

The festival, which runs from Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th July 2026, continues to build its reputation as a welcoming platform for writers at different stages of their careers, while also celebrating the depth of literary talent connected to Mullingar, Westmeath and the wider Midlands.

Chele Crawley will bring a remarkable success story to the festival. Her debut novel Lady Dixon’s Niece has reached No. 1 on Amazon Ireland’s bestsellers list and topped the historical fiction category shortly after release. The novel is the first instalment in her Regency-era romantic historical fiction series, Of Social Standing, and has been praised for its blend of ambition, deception, society, romance and moral tension.

Chele will appear in Swooning for Regency Romance on Saturday 4th July at 6.30pm in Caffrey’s, Mount Street, Mullingar, where she will discuss Lady Dixon’s Niece, the influence of Regency romance, and the appeal of stories inspired by the world of Jane Austen and Bridgerton.

Also appearing at the festival is Jinny Alexander, whose writing career spans short fiction, flash fiction, magazine publication and a three-book publishing deal. Jinny, who holds an MA in Creative Writing, is the author of the Jess O’Malley Mystery series, set in a fictional Irish village with echoes of rural life.

Her event, In Conversation with Liam Manning, takes place on Sunday 5th July at 6.00pm in Caffrey’s, Mount Street, Mullingar. Audiences will have the opportunity to hear directly from the author as she discusses the themes, characters, and stories that shape her work. This thoughtful and insightful session offers readers a deeper understanding of her fiction, while celebrating the imagination, craft, and dedication behind contemporary storytelling.

Writer, poet and workshop facilitator Louise Ryan will also feature in the programme with Seeds of Life – Minding Your Mental Health, taking place on Sunday 5th July at 5.00pm in Caffrey’s, Mount Street, Mullingar. Louise, who lives in Westmeath and is a member of Inklings Writers Group, will discuss her book Seeds of Life & New Beginnings, a wellness guide and personal testimony exploring hope, recovery, gratitude, self-belief and resilience.

Through her writing, Louise Ryan explores how creativity can become a source of healing, reflection and renewal. At a time when many people are feeling the pressures of modern life, writing can provide a quiet space to understand ourselves, express difficult emotions and take meaningful steps towards better mental health and wellness.

A spokesperson for Mullingar Literary Festival said:

“This year’s programme shows the strength and variety of female writing connected to our festival. From Chele Crawley’s success in historical fiction, to Jinny Alexander’s mystery writing and creative journey, to Louise Ryan’s deeply personal work on wellbeing and resilience, these events celebrate women’s voices across genre, experience and style.”

The three events are free to attend, with audiences encouraged to arrive early as places may be limited.