John Steinbeck Festival committee congratulated by Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens

The Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens has welcomed the John Steinbeck Festival Committee to Council’s Civic Headquarters, Cloonavin to congratulate them on their recent success.

Partnering with the Roe Valley Arts & Cultural Centre, the festival now in its 7th year, celebrates John Steinbeck’s notable connection to Limavady.

The event took place during February and showcased an exciting and diverse programme exploring the legacy of Steinbeck, with over 2,000 people attending a packed programme across the month.

Highlights from this year’s festival included Mark Carruthers, in conversation with award-winning journalist and author Fergal Keane, an intimate performance by blues singer Muireann Bradley and the popular Steinbeck Book Cover Exhibition and Dustbowl Photography Competition.

Councillor Ciarán McQuillan said: “I was delighted to welcome the Steinbeck Festival Committee and congratulate them on the fantastic success of the 2025 event.

“The festival offers a fantastic opportunity to explore Steinbeck’s literature and local links, while showcasing our excellent Arts Service facilities to the community.

“The work that has been put in to create such an exciting programme of events has not gone unnoticed, and I would like to commend the committee for all their hard work and dedication throughout the year.”

Festival Director, Douglas Bartlett added: “I would like to thank the Mayor for inviting the Steinbeck committee to a reception in Cloonavin and recognising our efforts to create a unique event in Limavady.

“This year’s festival was the most successful to date, with music, storytelling and art bringing Steinbeck’s timeless works to life in fresh and engaging ways.

“We are extremely grateful for the continued support we receive from both Council and the public, which enables the festival to grow year-on-year.” 

For more information about the festival visit steinbeckfestival.com