Author Archives for IWC_admin

Rosemary Jenkinson and Emily S Cooper to join the IWC Writers in their Residence

April 29, 2020 4:03 pm Published by IWC_admin Leave your thoughts

  We’re delighted to announce that, with thanks to the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, we are now allocating funding to two additional writers for our Writer in their Residence scheme. Rosemary Jenkinson and Emily S Cooper will be joining Caelainn Hogan, Sarah Maria Griffin, Gerard Beirne and Cat Hogan in receiving financial support to develop an existing work in progress.  You can keep up with these writers as they document the experience of creating art during a pandemic through short videos and social media posts using the hashtag #WritersInTheirResidence.  Rosemary Jenkinson is a playwright and short story writer from Belfast. She was Artist-in-Residence at the Lyric Theatre and received a Major Individual Artist Award from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland in 2019. Catholic Boy was shortlisted for the EU Prize for Literature and her latest collection is Lifestyle... Read Moreread more.

Announcing the Writers-in-their-Residence Recipients

April 22, 2020 3:30 pm Published by IWC_admin Leave your thoughts

  We are delighted to announce that Caelainn Hogan, Cat Hogan, Sarah Maria Griffin and Gerard Beirne have been selected for our Writer-In-Their-Residence scheme. These four writers will receive financial support while they develop an existing work in process. These are exceptional times, presenting arduous conditions for artists who are faced with the pressure to create, at a time where creating feels impossible. Over the next few weeks, Caelainn, Sarah, Cat and Gerard will be documenting the particular challenges of writing during a pandemic. You can follow their journey on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram where they’ll be using the hashtag #WritersInTheirResidence. About the writers Caelainn Hogan is a writer from Dublin. Her first book Republic of Shame explores the ongoing legacy of Ireland’s religious-run institutions. Her work features in The New York Times Magazine, National Geographic, The Guardian, The Dublin Review, The Stinging Fly and others.... Read Moreread more.

COVID-19: Updated Information and Resources for Writers and Artists

April 17, 2020 8:30 am Published by IWC_admin Leave your thoughts

Updated 16 April  As we all turn to literature, music, and television for comfort and entertainment during lockdown, the social and cultural value of the arts has never been more apparent. However, as the crisis continues, writers, artists, and other arts practitioners have been left in increasingly precarious positions, often with little income protection. Last month, we compiled a factsheet of information and resources for writers and artists affected by COVID-19 closures. We have now updated those resources to reflect the growing list of opportunities available to writers and artists at this time.    Official government websites: Gov.ie  Department of Health HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre Government statements and press releases regarding COVID-19 World Health Organisation   COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment This new payment will be available to all employees and the self-employed who have lost employment due to a... Read Moreread more.

Announcing the IWC/ILFD Young Writer Delegates

April 15, 2020 11:12 am Published by IWC_admin Leave your thoughts

We’re delighted to announce that the 2020 IWC/ILFD Young Writer Delegates are Alena Walker, Aldas Kruminis, Aimee McCague Robyn Gill Alana Daly Mulligan, and Christie Kandiwa. Now in its third year, the IWC Young Writer Delegates Programme gives young writers an opportunity to immerse themselves in a literature festival, soak up the atmosphere and to contribute to it as active participants. This year, the Internation Literature Festival Dublin will be taking place in Autumn of this year. The Delegates will receive mentorship from Sarah Maria Griffin.  You can keep up with the Young Writer Delegates on their Instagram page, and through the Irish Writers Centre and ILFD social media channels.   Alena Walker is a writer based in Northern Ireland. Her writing focuses on women, feminism, sustainability, culture and the media. She writes to explore the fragility of the human experience and is drawn to works... Read Moreread more.

Announcing the 2020 IWC/Cúirt Young Writer Delegates

April 8, 2020 2:48 pm Published by IWC_admin Leave your thoughts

We’re delighted to announce Niamh Elliot-Sherridan, Andrew Maguire, Tegan Forde and Martin Sykes as the 2020 IWC/Cúirt Young Writer Delegates. Now in its third year, the IWC Young Writer Delegates Programme gives young writers an opportunity to immerse themselves in a literature festival, soak up the atmosphere and to contribute to it as active participants. Cúirt International Festival of Literature will take place online from 23-25 April. During this period, the Young Writer Delegates will be supported by writer Elaine Feeney, who will act as a mentor. You can keep up with the Young Writer Delegates on their Instagram page, and through the Irish Writers Centre and Cúirt social media channels.      Niamh Elliott-Sheridan is an English and Human Development graduate, currently completing an MPhil in Gender and Women’s Studies. She’s passionate about feminism, mental health and the Arts, writing articles for multiple... Read Moreread more.

Announcing the Writing for a Change 2020 Competition Winners

April 7, 2020 12:08 pm Published by IWC_admin Leave your thoughts

  We’re delighted to announce the winners of our Writing for a Change Flash Fiction Competition. Partnering with the National Botanic Gardens and Channel Magazine, we asked writers to respond to the climate crisis with submissions under 400 words in English and Irish. The prizes include a place on a one-day writing workshop at the IWC, publication in partner Irish literary magazine: Channel, and a €50 book voucher. The climate crisis and the environment are constant subjects of discussion, but it can be hard to stay aware of the need to be consciously active in making environmental improvements in our daily lives. This year’s entries were judges by Liz McManus, Michele Forbes and Éanna Ní Lamhna, the winners are Julie Le Blanc, Laura Woulfe, Tegan Forde, and Gearóidín Nic Cárthaigh.   Julie Le Blanc was born in Rhode Island but currently lives in the Midlands... Read Moreread more.

Upcoming Online Courses at the Irish Writers Centre

March 26, 2020 11:23 am Published by IWC_admin Leave your thoughts

In light of the most recent measures announced by the government last night, we will be extending the Irish Writers Centre building closure until it is safe to re-open our doors. In the meantime, we are happy to announce that we are continuing to offer our services for writers online. Join in a live classroom with a trusted writing teacher on one of our remote writing courses. You can now nurture your creative writing at home, from anywhere across Ireland or abroad, while practicing safe social distancing.  Sarah Webb will be offering a course for those interested in Writing for Children, starting Thursday 9 April. Immerse yourself in the world of children’s books over 6 weeks. Teacher, author and journalist Justine Carbery will also be running a 6-week Writing for Wellness course starting next Wednesday 8 April. Join a group of like-minded individuals and get comfort from creative solidarity.... Read Moreread more.

Covid-19: Extension of IWC Building Closure

March 25, 2020 4:18 pm Published by IWC_admin Leave your thoughts

  In light of the most recent measures announced by the government last night, current restrictions on the opening of public spaces have been extended until Sunday 19th April, with additional measures put in place. For full details of the government’s measures to tackle COVID-19, please see here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/a7e66d-latest-guidance-on-public-health-measures/ The Irish Writers Centre building will remain closed while these measures are in place. During this period, we hope you continue your engagement with the Centre through our newly launched online course programme. Mentoring is also available remotely, and membership continues to be available via our website. You can also engage with the work of the Centre by having a look at our writers’ resources online, applying for advertised opportunities or by making a donation towards our work.  Although it’s not physically possible to visit IWC to write, we hope writers and... Read Moreread more.

COVID-19: Information and Resources for Writers and Artists

March 18, 2020 3:16 pm Published by IWC_admin Leave your thoughts

As precautionary social distancing measures continue in the face of COVID-19, writers, artists, arts practitioners, and the majority of self-employed workers are being placed in difficult positions with little income protection. As the national resource centre for Irish writers and Irish writing, we are taking steps to ensure that we can continue offering our services to writers during this period. There are also a number of initiatives across the community which offer support for self-employed writers and artists. Have a look at some of the resources we’ve compiled below: Official government websites Gov.ie  Department of Health HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre Government statements and press releases regarding COVID-19 COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment This new payment will be available to all employees and the self-employed who have lost employment due to a downturn in economic activity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.... Read Moreread more.

Online Learning at the Irish Writers Centre

March 19, 2020 11:18 am Published by IWC_admin Leave your thoughts

New Opportunities for Remote Learning We’re happy to announce that during this period of closure, we will be offering remote learning opportunities for those looking to explore creative writing at home. Remote learning allows you to enjoy live interaction with a trusted writing teacher via weekly online courses. This might just be the time to get inspired, hone your writing skills and receive feedback on your work. By signing up for an online course, you are helping the Irish Writers Centre continue to deliver our services through our education programme, as well as providing vital paid employment to freelance writers. As Ireland’s national resource organisation for Irish writers and Irish writing, our staff has been working to continue providing our services to writers over this period. If you are a professional writer looking to learn more about the resources and... Read Moreread more.

A Statement on COVID-19

March 12, 2020 4:08 pm Published by IWC_admin Leave your thoughts

  In light of the most recent developments in the outbreak of COVID-19, the Irish Writers Centre will be closed from today, Thursday 12 March, at 6pm until further notice. Earlier today, Leo Varadkar made a statement in which he said; “…from 6pm today, the following measures are being put in place. They will stay in place until March 29th. Schools, colleges, and childcare facilities will close from tomorrow. Where possible, teaching will be done on-line or remotely. Cultural institutions will close. Our advice is that all indoor mass gatherings of more than 100 people and outdoor mass gatherings of more than 500 people should be cancelled.” During this closure period we hope you continue your engagement with the Centre by viewing our course programme and writers’ resources online. Courses will be postponed until such time as the Centre can safely... Read Moreread more.

Introducing our XBorders: Refuge Patricipants

January 16, 2020 3:02 pm Published by IWC_admin Leave your thoughts

This spring, we are delighted to welcome the return of the cross-border initiative XBorders. Now in its fourth year, XBorders will centre around the theme of Refuge, and participants will have the opportunity to explore this theme through a series of guided workshops.  This year’s participants have all been selected from previous years. They are: Michelle Gallen, Therese Kieran, Chandrika Narayanan-Mohan, Dominique Cleary, Peter McNamara, Cliona O’Connell, Sue Divin, Adam Trodd, Niamh Donnellan, Jane Robinson, Cassia Gaden Gilmartin, and Pádraig Ó Meiscill. ———————————————————————————————————– Therese Kieran lives in Belfast. Her work has featured in magazines and anthologies, including: The Honest Ulsterman, The Valley Press, Poetry NI, The Blue Nib, Four X Four, Washing Windows? Tales of the Forest, Coast to Coast to Coast. She was short-listed for the North West Words Poetry 2019 competition. Sue Divin is a Derry based writer but, hailing originally from Armagh, can’t quite classify herself a ‘Derry Girl.’ Peace worker,... Read Moreread more.

Announcing the Novel Fair 2020 Finalists

December 17, 2019 11:31 am Published by IWC_admin Leave your thoughts

  Announcing the Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair 2020 Finalists  We are delighted to announce that twelve aspiring novelists have been selected from over 200 participants to take part in Novel Fair 2020 on Friday 14th February. Novel Fair is an annual Irish Writers Centre initiative which allows unpublished writers to pitch their novels directly to top agents and publishers in a series of one-to-one meetings. Now in its ninth year, Novel Fair has resulted in almost twenty success stories, giving aspiring writers the chance to kick-start their literary career. Last year alone, five of the twelve finalists secured publishing deals. Previous Novel Fair winners also include Catriona Lally, who was recently awarded the prestigious Lannan Literary Prize for Fiction, worth $100,000. This year’s winners have been named as: Margaret Ryan, Lisa Frank, Miki Lentin, Angela Keogh, Alison Wells, Catherine Joyce, Laura... Read Moreread more.

Announcing Ciara Ní É as an Irish Writers Centre Ambassador

December 13, 2019 3:33 pm Published by IWC_admin Leave your thoughts

We’re delighted to announce Ciara Ní É as a new Irish Writers Centre Ambassador! Dubliner Ciara Ní É is the founder of REIC, a monthly bilingual spoken word and open mic night that features poetry, music, storytelling and rap. She has performed her work in Ireland and internationally. She has been published in a variety of journals including Icarus and Comhar, and in 2018 she released a series of 4 poetry videos in partnership with the Irish Writers Centre. Ciara’s commissions include UNESCO’s Dublin City of Literature video 2015, and a poem for Seó Beo Pheil na mBan on TG4, which received more than 300,000 views online. We’re fortunate to have exceptional Ambassadors in Eilis Ni Dhuibhne, Anne Enright, Mike McCormack, John Banville, Marian Keyes, Joseph O’Connor and now, Ciara Ní É. IWC Ambassadors are all key figures in Irish literature selected across a range of disciplines and we... Read Moreread more.