Finishing touches are being added ahead of Pen Fest in Carlow

Writers – both budding and established – from all over the country will be gathering in Carlow Town next weekend.

The 5th annual Pen Fest launches on this day week and preparations for the literary event are now nearing completion.

The festival attracts hundreds of visitors to the town over the course of the weekend with a special focus this year on emerging writers.

Local secondary school principal and poet, Simon Lewis will be launching it in Carlow Central Library.

He told KCLR News, he was honoured to have been asked.