Author Archives for IWC_admin

Announcing the Judges for the 2026 International Debut Novel Competition

June 12, 2026 3:42 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

  The Irish Writers Centre is delighted to today announce the judges for the 2026 installment of its flagship annual literary initiative, the International Debut Novel Competition. The competition awards twelve unpublished novelists with the opportunity to pitch their novels to world-class publishers and literary agents. This year, the competition attracted a record number of entries from a record number of countries. Judging is currently underway, and all applicants will be contacted later in the summer with the outcome of their submission. We are delighted to welcome to our panel of judges:   Kevin Curran‘s third novel, Youth, was published to critical acclaim by the Lilliput Press in 2023. It was an Irish Times, Sunday Independent & RTE Culture Best Book of 2023. The paperback edition of Youth was published February 2025. He is a secondary school teacher in his... Read Moreread more.


Literary Listings: June 2026

June 12, 2026 11:26 am Published by Leave your thoughts

New for 2026, the Irish Writers Centre brings you a monthly round-up of literary events happening across the country, from book and magazine launches to panel discussions, festivals and lectures! For a list of events happening in our own building at No. 19 Parnell Square, check out the dedicated Irish Writers Centre events page. Have an event to share with us? Let us know at communications@irishwriterscentre.ie and where possible we’ll include in a following month’s listings. Below, please find events coming up for the remainder of June:   Belfast 12: Beginnings on Purpose with Caoilinn Hughes (Seamus Heaney Centre) 17: Analysis of Shakespeare’s Othello and Much Ado About Nothing (Accidental Theatre) 17: From Elsewhere: Ciaran Carson and Jean Follain (Seamus Heaney Centre) 18: Launch of Neither Confirm Nor Deny by John Ware (No Alibis) 22: Seamus Heaney First Collection Poetry Prize Award Night (Seamus Heaney Centre) 23: Karen Solie: Reading... Read Moreread more.


Announcing the 2026 Irish Writers Centre New Writing Prize in association with The Stinging Fly

June 2, 2026 11:05 am Published by Leave your thoughts

The New Writing Prize is an annual literary award, now in its second year, organised as part of an ongoing collaboration between the Irish Writers Centre and The Stinging Fly. The aim of the award each year is to discover, promote and encourage the talents of new, undiscovered voices in Irish writing. The focus for 2026 is on writers living on the island of Ireland or who consider Ireland to be their home who have not yet published fiction in print or online with The Stinging Fly. Submissions for the 2026 competition will be open from Tuesday 16th June until Tuesday 30th June at 5.00pm. During this time, eligible writers are invited to submit one short story up to 3,000 words in length. Please note that the Submittable link for the competition will only be accessible through the Irish Writers... Read Moreread more.


Announcing our 2026 International Lamplight Fellows

May 25, 2026 3:56 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

The Irish Writers Centre and Varuna, The National Writers’ Centre, Australia, are delighted to announce that four writers have been selected for the 2026 International Lamplight Fellowship.   About the Residency This is a two-week online opportunity for fiction writers to enjoy the combined mentorship and support of both organisations. It offers inspiration for writing, the benefits of professional development opportunities, and an opportunity to develop international connections with others to help writers sustain their creative practice. This opportunity is exclusively for Irish Writers Centre Members with two published books. About the Awardees A winner of the Hennessy New Irish Writing Award, Niamh Boyce has fictionalized real-life criminal trials in her novels. The Herbalist was an Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair Winner, and an Irish Book Award winner. Her Kind was based on the Kilkenny Witchcraft Trial and nominated for... Read Moreread more.


Now Accepting Submissions: A New Irish Writers Centre Anthology

May 25, 2026 3:09 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

The Irish Writers Centre invites submissions from eligible writers, affiliated with the organisation, for potential inclusion in a special anthology to mark our 35th anniversary. We are grateful to Dublin UNESCO City of Literature for providing funding to support this publication. About the Anthology The Irish Writers Centre is producing an anthology to celebrate 35 years of the Centre and the writers who have shaped this now iconic literary institution. It will feature work by 35 writers, including short stories, poetry and essays. The 35 contributors will be selected by open call from the growing community of writers affiliated with the Irish Writers Centre. We hope that this will ensure a fully inclusive and transparent process and will generate a diverse range of entries, in line with our mission of supporting writers at every stage of their journey, from beginner... Read Moreread more.


New for 2026, Words on the Page: Irish Writers Centre Summer Sessions

May 18, 2026 4:00 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

  Summer plans mean you can’t fit in a six- or eight-week course? We have you covered with Words on the Page, a week of in-person intensive writing courses covering a whole host of forms and genres. We are delighted to today announce the inaugural programme of Words on the Page: Irish Writers Centre Summer Sessions. This is a week-long celebration of creative writing (6th-10th July), including: a range of intensive courses taking place across five days, taster workshops to be held daily, a writers’ surgery every afternoon, a journal showcase and a closing open mic session. All classes and events will take place in our building on Parnell Square, and we will provide participants with dedicated writing space throughout the week so they can continue to develop their work outside the classroom. With Words on the Page, we invite you to get to know a community of fellow writers, coming together to share ideas and learn together here in the heart... Read Moreread more.


2026 Irish Writers Centre Irish Language Poetry Mentee Announced!

May 13, 2026 12:38 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Tá áthas ar Áras Scríbhneoirí na hÉireann fógairt a dhéanamh go bhronnaimis an céad Meántóireacht Filíochta Gaeilge ar an bhfile Laoighseach Ní Choistealbha. Beidh an file Aifric Mac Aodha mar mheantóir ag Laoighseach le linn 2026. Tógadh Laoighseach Ní Choistealbha i gceantar an Lagáin in Oirthear Dhún na nGall. Tá cónaí uirthi i nGaeltacht Chonamara anois. D’fhoilsigh Barzaz na cnuasaigh Solas Geimhridh (2023) agus Mainistir na Feola (2025). Ceapadh mar scríbhneoir cónaitheach in Ollscoil Chathair Bhaile Átha Cliath i mbliana í. Tá Aifric Mac Aodha ag obair ina heagarthóir Gaeilge le Poetry Ireland Review. D’fhoilsigh An Sagart an chéad chnuasach filíochta léi, Gabháil Syrinx, sa bhliain 2010. Cuireadh dánta dá cuid i gcló ar irisí éagsúla, POETRY Young Irish Poets ina measc. Aistríodh a saothar go teangacha éagsúla, an Fhraincis, an Ghearmáinis, an Iodáilis, an Spáinnis agus an tSeicis san... Read Moreread more.


Announcing the Irish Writers Centre 2026 Pride Programme

May 6, 2026 5:22 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

This year, the Irish Writers Centre celebrates Pride Month with a host of diverse creative events for the LGBTQIA+ community and allies. We’ll get started on Thursday, 4th June with Writing Queer Irish Womanhood, a conversation between writers Katherine O’Donnell and Rosamund Taylor exploring the diversity and complexity of queer Irish women’s stories. This online event (7-8pm via Zoom) is designed to increase accessibility to all who are interested in attending. On Saturday 6th June, artist Mel Galley will lead a Queer Futures Zine Workshop at our home on Parnell Square (12-2pm.) Open to all levels, this session invites attendees to imagine queer futurities through zine making and bookbinding techniques, combining text and image into speculative, self-made pamphlets. We’ll close out our Pride celebrations on Tuesday, 16th June with Beyond Blooming: An Open Page Reading Night & Celebration of Queer... Read Moreread more.


The Young Writer Delegates Reflect on Cúirt 2026 (Part 2)

May 6, 2026 2:52 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Every April for the past forty-one years, lovers of literature have travelled from across Ireland, and the wider world to Galway, for the Cúirt International Festival of Literature. In 2026, the festival ran from 21-26 April, and alongside a packed programme of literary events, attendees were blessed with a rare sight in the West of Ireland – the sun. Among those who flocked to Galway were our Irish Writers Centre/Cúirt Young Writer Delegates. The five writers chosen this year were: Liam Carton, Luke Condon, Eddie Critchley, Shauna Murphy, and Sadhbh Valentine Carton. As well as attending the wide variety of panel discussions, performances, and open mic nights around the city, the Delegates also performed at their own showcase to a packed audience in the O’Donoghue Centre for Theatre, Drama, and Performance. Their local writer-mentor Alan McMonagle was in attendance, and... Read Moreread more.


The Young Writer Delegates Reflect on Cúirt 2026

May 6, 2026 2:52 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Every April for the past forty-one years, lovers of literature have travelled from across Ireland, and the wider world to Galway, for the Cúirt International Festival of Literature. In 2026, the festival ran from 21-26 April, and alongside a packed programme of literary events, attendees were blessed with a rare sight in the West of Ireland – the sun. Among those who flocked to Galway were our Irish Writers Centre/Cúirt Young Writer Delegates. The five writers chosen this year were: Liam Carton, Luke Condon, Eddie Critchley, Shauna Murphy, and Sadhbh Valentine Carton. As well as attending the wide variety of panel discussions, performances, and open mic nights around the city, the Delegates also performed at their own showcase to a packed audience in the O’Donoghue Centre for Theatre, Drama, and Performance. Their local writer-mentor Alan McMonagle was in attendance, and... Read Moreread more.


Why Bowen Matters: A Conference Celebrating Elizabeth Bowen

April 30, 2026 5:01 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Join us for this very special hybrid event celebrating the legendary Irish writer Elizabeth Bowen on her birthday. Renowned for her novels and short stories, including The Death of the Heart, The Heat of the Day, and The Last September, Elizabeth Bowen is one of Ireland’s most enduring literary figures. Since 2022, the Elizabeth Bowen Society have organised an annual lecture for the writer’s birthday, and this year the Irish Writers Centre is delighted to collaborate on this fantastic day exploring and discussing the legacy of Elizabeth Bowen. Note: This is a hybrid event and attendees can attend in person at the Irish Writers Centre or via Zoom. The morning’s panel discussion between Danielle McLaughlin, John Banville and Nuala O’Connor is €15, while the afternoon annual birthday lecture is free to attend. Timetable: Welcome: 11.00 – 11.15am Join us for... Read Moreread more.


Gallery: The Irish Writers Centre Launches Patrons Programme

April 29, 2026 5:28 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

On a glorious evening, Thursday, April 23, we launched the Irish Writers Centre Patrons Programme, a new initiative to support our emerging writers and next generation of Irish storytellers. Designed to bring together corporate and private supporters who want to play a direct role in developing our writers, the Patrons Programme will help expand our creative writing and mentoring programmes, increase the number of masterclasses and events nationwide and provide additional bursaries and residencies. The initiative will also help broaden public engagement opportunities for writers and help us promote our work nationally and internationally.   Speaking at the launch, our special guest, author and Irish Writers Centre ambassador, Joseph O’Connor said Ireland’s reputation for literature and storytelling remains one of its strongest cultural assets. “All over the world, Ireland is known for great literature, poetry and storytelling. More than ever,... Read Moreread more.


Gallery: Words, in Other Places Literary Festival

April 16, 2026 2:00 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Words, In Other Places, an Irish Writers Centre Literary Festival, in partnership with the European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland Please enjoy these photos from Saturday, April 11, and Sunday, April 12, at the Seamus Heaney Centre (taken by Declan Roughan / Press Eye) and Irish Writers Centre (taken by Paul Sherwood) respectively. With 280+ in attendance, over the course of two days, Words, In Other Places, was a trilateral literary festival featuring 18 writers. Curated by the Irish Writers Centre, it was funded by the European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland, supported by our Belfast venue, the Seamus Heaney Centre, Queens University, alongside our two supporting bookstores, No Alibis bookshop in Belfast and Chapters bookshop in Dublin. This unique, two-day festival took place in the Seamus Heaney Centre in Queens University, Belfast, on Saturday 11 April and in Dublin... Read Moreread more.


Announcing the Writers Selected for 2026’s National Mentoring Programme

April 16, 2026 2:01 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

After a national callout by the Irish Writers Centre for their National Mentoring Programme (NMP) in December 2025, 41 writers have been awarded places from a record number of applicants. Each writer will receive mentoring from an established writer over the course of 2026. Founded in 1991, the Irish Writers Centre is Ireland’s leading resource and development organisation for writers. Its vision is to support the life of the writer at every stage of their career. As one of the largest writer mentoring programmes in Ireland, the National Mentoring Programme has an enormous impact on a writer’s journey by providing essential professional support, and this year saw an increase of over 150 applications from around the country. The programme is aimed at both emerging and established writers. Since 2017, the programme has numerous published authors among its alumni including Amy... Read Moreread more.