07 March, 2024
Announcing our 2024 IWC/Cúirt Young Writer Delegates
We’re delighted to announce our IWC/Cúirt Young Writer Delegates who will attend and contribute to Cúirt International Festival of Literature from 23 – 28 April. The delegates will be mentored by local writer Alan McMonagle and perform readings at a public showcase at the festival. The five awardees are Ciara Broderick, S.J. Delaney, Mars Duignan, Queen Madunwe and Emma Quin. Meet the delegates at their festival showcase in The Hardiman on Saturday, 27 April 2024 at 12:00pm (free entry).
Now in its sixth year, the IWC Young Writer Delegates Programme gives young writers an opportunity to immerse themselves in a literature festival and to contribute to it as active participants. You can keep up with the Young Writer Delegates on their Instagram page, and through the Irish Writers Centre and Cúirt social media channels. The full Cúirt International Festival of Literature is now also available to view over on the festival website.
Meet the delegates:
Ciara Broderick
Ciara Broderick is a prose writer from Bullaun in Co. Galway. She has been a finalist for the Iceland Writers Retreat Alumni Award and Shortlisted for Write By The Sea 2023. Her work has appeared in New Word Order journal (2023), Trasna (2023), and the Ogham Stone (upcoming).
S.J. Delaney
S.J. Delaney is a queer Irish writer. His work has previously appeared in The Poetry Ireland Review, An Capall Dorcha, and also ‘Green Carnations’ an anthology of young queer Irish writing. He has performed at Dublin Pride 2023 and 2022. He is currently looking for a publisher for his first pamphlet.
Mars Duignan
Mars Duignan is a visual artist and writer based in Galway. They recently finished an MA in English, and wrote their thesis on Sherlock Holmes. Their work explores liminality, mystery, humour, and the body. Their work can be found in The Stony Thursday Book, Poetry with Pride, Ethereal Magazine.
Queen Madunwe
Queen Madunwe is a student at ATU Sligo studying writing and literature. Her preferred genre of writing is speculative fiction in the form of short stories, poetry, and creative non-fiction. She loves combining Igbo and Irish mythology into her writing which is the current theme of her final year portfolio. She hopes to use the Cúirt Writers Festival to form new connections in the Irish writing world.
Emma Quin
Emma is a multi-media artist, writer and maker based in Belfast. Her work plays with form, challenging expectations of what art and writing should be. Emma is currently an artist in residence at Digital Artist Studios Belfast, a co-director of Catalyst Arts and a member of Soup Ink Writers Co-op.
The Writer/Mentor
Alan McMonagle
Alan has written for radio and published two collections of short stories (Psychotic Episodes and Liar Liar). Ithaca, his first novel, was published by Picador in 2017, and longlisted for the Desmond Elliott Award for first novels, the Dublin Literary Award, and shortlisted for an Irish Book Award. His second novel, Laura Cassidy’s Walk Of Fame, was published in 2020. He lives in Galway.
Attend Belfast Book Festival as a Young Writer Delegate!
Deadline for applications: Wednesday 3 April 2024 at midnight.
We invite ambitious young writers aged 18-26 to apply for this extraordinary opportunity to attend and contribute to Belfast Book Festival 2024 as Young Writer Delegates. In partnership with Crescent Arts Centre, this programme takes place over five days at the festival from 6 – 10 June, 2024. Four delegates will receive free entry to festival events, mentoring from a local writer, performance opportunity, and more! Two places will be reserved for local delegates living in Belfast. Accommodation will be provided for two delegates who live outside Belfast area.
Apply here.
