Author Archives for IWC_admin

I Am Dublin: Joy by Sinead Flynn

March 24, 2016 11:00 am Published by Leave your thoughts

In the second post of our showcase of the I am Dublin Flash Fiction Competition winners we have the pleasure of reading Sinead Flynn’s winning entry. From County Meath, Sinéad has enjoyed living in Phibsborough for the past few years. She teaches singing, drama and English language to a variety of wonderful people. Apart from writing Sinéad loves mythology and animals – especially dogs. Joy Sinead Flynn Mick surveyed the anxious faces of his three children with the most disapproving grimace he could muster. ‘Lads I’m very disappointed in ye.’ Katie and Shane lowered their heads while Keith stared wide eyed at the two guards standing to his left. ‘How many times have I said Mrs O’Reilly’s garden is out of bounds for ye and that bloody dog? Look at the trouble you’ve caused…’ ‘But Da we didn’t kick the ball in on... Read Moreread more.


Compass Lines: Days by Karl Whitney & Philip Terry

March 21, 2016 4:52 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Compass Lines is a writers’ exchange project aiming to establish links between writers and communities in the North and South of Ireland, while additionally examining relationships between the East and West of these islands, through workshops, public discussions, and the commissioning of new collaborative writing. Compass Lines aims to encourage artistic fusion and integrate a sometimes fragmented audience, geographically and otherwise, through the strategy of combining writers with various concerns and backgrounds. Eschewing their comfort zones and usual patterns of working presents a diversion and a challenge to the writers, and a way of instigating discussions about ideas of process and place that reside in contemporary writing and which are often ignored through traditional views of literature. Developed by poet, editor and curator Christodoulos Makris in collaboration with the Irish Writers Centre as producing organisation, and with the participation of... Read Moreread more.


I Am Dublin: Liffey. If He. Dares by Louise Cole

March 22, 2016 12:11 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

   Following the success of our recent showcase of the I am Dublin Flash Fiction Competition with Five Lamps Festival we will be posting each of the four winning entries here for the enjoyment of all.  Entrants were encouraged to channel their inner Anna Livia Plurabelle and to seek inspiration in the charm of our fair city – cracks and all. Our first author is Louise G. Cole, she  performs at the Word Corner Café in the Dock, Carrick-on-Shannon, and at pop up shows in the West with the Hermit Collective. She also blogs about writing. Read her winning entry below. Liffey. If He. Dares. Louise Cole I make him tremble. The thought of me: I have causality. He is drawn to me. Torn. More than a tremor.  A convulsive shudder and shake. Rock and roll. Slips and slides. Wants to hide. Looks up... Read Moreread more.


Launch of Wicklow Literature Programme with Words Ireland

February 17, 2016 4:10 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Mermaid Arts Centre Thursday 25 February, 2016 at 6pm   Words Ireland is delighted to announce the development of a new literature programme in partnership with Wicklow County Arts Office and supported by the Wicklow Library Service.This programme will involve readings, public events, mentoring schemes, workshops and masterclasses with some of Ireland’s leading writers, poets and illustrators.  It will be launched at Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray on Thursday 25 February at 6pm with guest speakers Michael Nicholson and John Ryan, both of Wicklow County Council (scroll down for full invite details).  Wicklow is home to a wealth of writing talent and this programme will seek to celebrate those who are established, while nurturing the next generation. Wicklow enjoys an extremely rich literary heritage and has inspired celebrated writers such as WB Yeats, Derek Walcott, Mary Lavin and Seamus Heaney, to mention... Read Moreread more.


Announcing the recipients of the IWC / Anam Cara bursaries

February 17, 2016 11:45 am Published by Leave your thoughts

The Irish Writers Centre and Anam Cara Writer’s & Artist’s Retreat are delighted to announce that Réaltán Ní Leannáin and Simon Ó Faoláin are the recipients of two one-week residencies to take place later this year.  These residencies will afford the two writers time and space to complete their current creative projects which are being written in the Irish language.  The recipients were selected by a panel comprising writers Anna Heussaff and Jack Harte, and Valerie Bistany of the Irish Writers Centre. Jack Harte commented on the residencies by saying:  ‘A week in Anam Cara is a huge boost to any writer, and the affirmation that it implies is hugely important too.’ We would also like to thank Sue Booth-Forbes of Anam Cara for her generous patronage of these two writers and wish them an enjoyable and – most importantly – creative stay!           read more.


Special Discounted Rate on Selected Courses

February 10, 2016 4:11 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

    Latecomers!  If you’ve missed out on joining a Spring 2016 course, it’s not too late to sign up and the course will be discounted accordingly. Offer available for a limited time only.  Although the courses in question have already begun, the course facilitators are confident that those joining in late will be able to catch up on any class work missed. The courses being offered at discounted rates are as follows: Historical Fiction with Conor Kostick (Thursday 11th | 6.30pm) Essay and Memoir with Henry McDonald (Tuesday 16th | 6.30pm) Finding Your Form with Nessa O’Mahony (Tuesday 16th | 11am)  This is a great opportunity to catch-up without breaking the bank. Those interested should contact the Centre on 01-8721302 or email info@writerscentre.ie  The discount rates are based on how many sessions have been missed. Students will be unable to join courses after the third session. read more.


President Michael D.Higgins visits IWC | 25th Anniversary Celebrations

January 14, 2016 12:00 am Published by Comments Off on President Michael D.Higgins visits IWC | 25th Anniversary Celebrations

On Wednesday 13 January 2016 we welcomed the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, in recognition of his patronage which marked the beginning of our 25th year celebrations.     Writers and IWC Ambassadors, Éilis Ní Dhuibhne and Joseph O’Connor read for the President, as well as Sarah Moore Fitzgerald, the recipient of this year’s Jack Harte Bursary Award. Musician Colm Mac Con Iomaire debuted his beautiful composition Solasta to a packed room of writers and distinguished guests – and wowed us all. The President addressed attendees with a speech that ranged in content from Bowie and Hot Press to Descartes and civil society… President Higgins outlined how the Centre is not just a haven but a vortex of creativity: ‘In the hallways and stairwells of this old house, frameworks of novels, opening paragraphs of stories, and geneses of poems have been inspired and created. A... Read Moreread more.


Announcing Our New Patron President Michael D. Higgins & Our Six Ambassadors

September 8, 2015 2:52 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

We are delighted to announce that President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, has kindly agreed to become the Patron of the Irish Writers Centre.  The President will visit the Centre on 13 January 2016, marking what promises to be a memorable inaugural event in our 25th anniversary celebration year.  We are also thrilled to welcome six new Ambassadors who will act to promote and endorse the Irish Writers Centre over the next three years. They are all key literary figures in Irish literature selected across a range of disciplines and we look forward to working with them in furthering the aims and ambitions of the Irish Writers Centre both at home and abroad.  The Irish Writers Centre Ambassadors are: John Banville, Anne Enright, Roy Foster, Marian Keyes, Éilís Ní Dhuibhne and Joseph O’Connor.   We’ve been keeping this news under wraps... Read Moreread more.


Meet our autumn 2015 facilitators: 3. Dave Lordan

September 16, 2015 7:32 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

The ever popular Dave Lordan is facilitating two courses this autumn at the Irish Writers Centre. The first, Teaching Creative writing, is a practical, intensive course in how and why to teach creative writing in a variety of contexts. The other, Strange Times, Strange Tellers: Experimental Fiction, covers the techniques of formally innovative writers such as Calvino, Cortázar, and Joyce, and movements such as beats, oulipo, surrealist… We caught up with Dave to discuss his own reading and writing, among other subjects.  Irish Writers Centre: What have you been reading over the summer? Dave Lordan: Johnathan Franzen, Hilary Mantel, and, most enjoyable of all, the mediaeval Japanese epic poem The Tale of The Heike. IWC: What do you need to be able to write? DL: A target. IWC: Who is your favourite living writer? DL: Eamonn McCann. IWC: What was your favourite book as a child? DL: 5000... Read Moreread more.


In memory of Brian Friel, RIP

October 2, 2015 1:46 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Brian Friel – a playwright who gave voice to the heart and the resilience of the Irish spirit The Irish Writers Centre is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Brian Friel. Known as one of the greatest Irish playwrights of our times and renowned for Philadelphia, Here I Come, Translations and Dancing at Lughnasa, Friel proved himself to be a versatile writer who was skilled at adaptations and penned two fine short story collections. His impact has extended beyond the realm of writing, both at home and abroad. While Friel succeeded in bringing the realities of life in rural Ireland to a worldwide audience and placed contemporary Irish theatre at the forefront of international playwriting, he was also instrumental in addressing issues such as identity, language, migration and culture, and gave voice to those on the margins. His works showed the heart and the... Read Moreread more.


Tyrone Guthrie Centre.

August 25, 2014 10:22 am Published by Leave your thoughts

We are delighted to announce the Jack Harte Bursary awarded by the Irish Writers Centre in association with: The Irish Writers Centre and the Tyrone Guthrie Centre at Annaghmakerrig have come together to offer a two-week fully resourced Writer-in-Residence Bursary to take place in spring 2015. The award is named in honour of Jack Harte, founder of the Irish Writers Centre, in celebration and acknowledgement of his contribution to Irish literature. Who Can Apply: This is an open call to writers resident in Ireland with a proven track record and at least one book of fiction or short stories published by a recognised publisher.  How to Apply: Applications are accepted by email only to director@writerscentre.ie .  Please include: A cover letter including your personal details and statement of artistic intent, clearly and concisely outlining the project you would like to focus on during... Read Moreread more.


Welcome to our new website!

November 20, 2014 5:34 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

It’s finally here – our new website. We’re still getting to grips with it so bear that in mind while you take a look around. We’re sure you’ll find some events and courses that will peak your interest – we’ve got workshops and classes for every level of writer and goings-on that will coax every literature lover through the door of No. 19 Parnell Square.  Tell your friends, fans and followers that the Irish Writers Centre has a new look and encourage them to stop on by.   read more.


Announcing EU Prize for Literature 2015 Shortlist

March 5, 2015 5:09 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

    The Irish Writers Centre is delighted to be the first to announce that the following titles have been shortlisted for the EU Prize for Literature 2015, a prize for emerging talents in the field of contemporary fiction (alphabetical order): – Mary Costello, Academy Street (Cannongate Books, 2014)– Donal Ryan, The Spinning Heart (Doubleday Ireland, 2012; originally published by Lilliput Press)– Deirdre Sullivan, Primperfect (Little Island, 2014) Ireland is one of twelve countries who will provide a national winner of the EU Prize for Literature in 2015. See the EU Prize for Literature website for more.  The aim of the European Prize for Literature is to put the spotlight on the creativity and diverse wealth of Europe’s contemporary literature in the field of fiction, to promote the circulation of literature within Europe and encourage greater interest in non-national literary works.  The €5,000... Read Moreread more.


The Irish Writers Centre is hiring!

April 28, 2015 6:26 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

The Irish Writers Centre is looking to appoint a new full-time General Manager, commencing 22 June 2015.   Reporting to and working directly with the Director, the General Manager is a core member of the team, responsible for the administrative, educational and financial operations of Ireland’s national literature resource and support organisation for writers. While key areas of responsibility include administration and educational programming, the General Manager also acts as the public face of the Irish Writers Centre.  We want to hear why you would make a good addition to our staff which, although small, is vibrant, hard-working and creative.  Full details on the role can be viewed in the Staff Vacancies section and please note the closing date of Thursday 7 May at 5pm. We look forward to hearing from you! read more.