Author Archives for IWC_admin

Nollaig na mBan 2024

January 8, 2024 4:38 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

The first event on the Irish literary calendar of 2024, Nollaig na mBan: Bodies of Work joyfully celebrated our incredible Irish women writers working in different literary forms and women writers who have created literary journals. In this blog, flick through a series of joyful moments from the night. With award-winning poet Jessica Traynor as the MC, the audience enjoyed a stellar line-up of writers who read new pieces of work (some commissioned especially for the occasion). In keeping with the theme, each writer represented a different body of work, including the novel by Christine Dwyer Hickey, the short story by Jan Carson, poetry by Nessa O’Mahony and spoken word by Ola Majekodumni. We also had a special section dedicated to Ireland’s thriving literary journal scene, by spotlighting literary journals created and curated by women writers. In this part of... Read Moreread more.


Opportunities and Competitions January 2024

January 5, 2024 11:46 am Published by Leave your thoughts

Photo credit: A Dublin City Seagull taken by our Communications Officer Jo Morton Each month we update our Competitions, Submissions & Opportunities webpage, along with our Bursaries & Funding, to ensure that we are connecting our writers with the best upcoming opportunities. Here are a few deadlines we wanted to highlight this January. Submissions: Abridged Deadline: 16th January 2024 Abridged aims to publish and exhibit contemporary/ experimental poetry plus contemporary art. They are funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and each of their issues are beautifully curated and presented. For their next issue they are looking for submissions that explore the concept of ‘Home’ in contemporary society – what’s hiding in the dark of its foundations, and what it might mean to be broken. You can submit up to 3 poems. Tower Magazine Deadline: 31st January 2024 Submissions to... Read Moreread more.


Novel Fair 2024: Runners-Up & Highly Commended

January 3, 2024 12:29 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

In December 2023, we announced the twelve emerging writers selected for Novel Fair 2024, as selected by the judging panel Sharmilla Beezmohun, Eoin McHugh, Éilís Ní Dhuibhne and Susan Tomaselli. The panel additionally selected twelve runners-up and twelve highly commended as follows. These writers will receive a short critique of their work from one of the judges. Judge Eoin McHugh observed: “Reading through so many well written, diverse and engaging pieces of fiction was a pleasure. Judging between the many submissions, however, was no easy task, especially given the fine quality of the work. The winning selection offers clear evidence of the strength and range of talent coming through and to the fact that we can all look forward to some great reading in the near future.”    Novel Fair 2024: Runners-Up & Highly Commended   Runners-up Roof Knocking by Raymond... Read Moreread more.


Join our Board: Expressions of Interest in Treasurer

January 2, 2024 12:28 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

DEADLINE: 6 FEBRUARY 2024 Irish Writers Centre Open Call for Expressions of Interest in Treasurer The Irish Writers Centre (IWC) is seeking to add a new treasurer to its Board of Directors to continue leading on the work of the board in line with the 2022-26 strategy which can be found here. We are looking for those with a passion for the arts and an interest in the literary landscape in Ireland. This call seeks individuals with skills and experience in one or more of the following areas, having regard also to gender, diversity and age balance: Financial reporting Financial planning and budgeting Statutory accounts audit Tax Fund-raising and/or A recognised qualification in accountancy   How to Apply: Deadline for applications: Tuesday 6 February 2024 Please read the full details and applications guidelines.  Applications are to be sent by email... Read Moreread more.


Seasonal Greetings from the IWC Team: Here’s a Snapshot of 2023

December 20, 2023 3:53 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

We love the wonderful community that makes up the Irish Writers Centre (IWC) and we are delighted that so many of you attended and took part in our events, programmes and courses this year. As 2023 draws to a close, the IWC team would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our members, facilitators, writers, partners, funders, board members, ambassadors and everyone who has supported us. In this blog, we provide a small snapshot of our jam-packed year, capturing some of our favourite moments of 2023. Nollaig Shona agus Athbhliain faoi Mhaise Daoibh! Audience listen to a reading at the Members’ Christmas Party. (December 2023)   357 Writers Took Part in 20 Development Programmes This year, Irish Writers Centre put on 20 programmes to provide sustained support for writers to develop their craft. Our programmes offer a variety of supports,... Read Moreread more.


NI Support Scheme Awardees 2023-2024

December 20, 2023 4:49 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

We’re delighted to announce the awardees of our Support Schemes for Northern Ireland Writers, which offer subsidised membership, course bursaries and mentorships for writers from or based in Northern Ireland. In keeping with Goal 2 of our 2022–2026 Strategy, these schemes will enhance opportunities for people across all communities to explore and participate in creative writing. The awardees of the Membership Support Scheme are as follows: Professional Members Felicity McCall, Sue Divin, Deirdre Cartmill, Byddi Lee, Tim Dywer, Shelly Tracey, Therese Kieran, Moyra Donaldson, Pallavi Padma-Uday and Trish Bennett. Associate Members Denisa Hasieberova, Hannah Eynon, Eimear Kilcullen, Derek Lockhart, Vikkie Patterson, Robin Kelly, Brigid Smyth, Jill K. Wilson, Hannah Gallagher and Peter Reid. Our membership scheme connects our community of writers from across the island through a number of member benefits, including access to advice, opportunities, and advocacy. The awardees of... Read Moreread more.


12 Emerging Writers Selected as the Winners of Novel Fair 2024

December 20, 2023 2:59 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

The Irish Writers Centre is delighted to announce that 12 emerging writers have been selected from 467 entrants to take part in Novel Fair 2024 on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 February 2024. This marks the 12th year of the Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair, an initiative which allows unpublished writers the opportunity to break through to the Irish, UK & international publishing world. Our 12 Novel Fair winners will pitch their work to top publishers and agents in a series of one-to-one meetings. The Novel Fair will take place over 2 days at IWC’s headquarters in Dublin on Friday 16 February and remotely on Saturday 17 February, thus allowing publishers, agents and finalists to participate from around the globe. Since its inception in 2011, 33 Novel Fair winners have gone on to publish their debut novels as a direct... Read Moreread more.


Valerie Bistany steps down as director of Irish Writers Centre

December 13, 2023 5:43 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Valerie Bistany hosting the 2023 Christmas party (Photographer: George Hooker)  After ten wonderful years, Valerie Bistany is stepping down as director of the Irish Writers Centre. While everyone will miss working with Valerie, we want to take the opportunity to celebrate her success steering the Irish Writers Centre as an advocate for writers across the island. As director, she has shaped many of our signature programmes and residencies, welcomed new collaborations, and championed writing as a career through professional development opportunities. Read our blog for a special message from Valerie, offering a snapshot of all she has accomplished over the last decade.  I suppose I had an inkling of what was ahead at the end of my interview, when the panel, comprising of Jack Harte (founder), Jack Gilligan (chair) and Mia Gallagher and June Considine (board members) asked if I... Read Moreread more.


A letter from Rafael Mendes (Winner of the Lacuna Bursary 2024)

December 8, 2023 4:34 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Rafael Mendes is a joint winner (alongside Julie O’Leary) of the Lacuna Bursary 2024. The bursary offers an emerging writer a one-week fully resourced Writer-in-Residence Bursary to take place in 2024 at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre. Now in its second year, this annual award is specifically designed to support a writer from a background typically underrepresented in Irish literature to develop their writing practice. Read a statement Rafael wrote in acceptance of his award: I arrived in Ireland almost eight years ago with limited proficiency in the English language. For instance, I couldn’t correctly spell out my name, so my library card read Refiel for two years. Out of stubbornness, I felt compelled to write in English and entered the Irish Writers Centre for the first time in 2018 to join a session of the New Irish Communities (now rebranded... Read Moreread more.


Announcing the Jack Harte and Lacuna Bursary Awardees 2024

December 7, 2023 3:47 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

We are delighted to announce the winners of the Jack Harte and Lacuna Bursaries 2024. These awards were presented by Jack Harte, Founder of the Irish Writers Centre, and Sarah Searson, Director of The Tyrone Guthrie Centre, at our annual Members’ Christmas Party on Wednesday 6 December 2023. The bursaries, created by the Tyrone Guthrie Centre in partnership with the Irish Writers Centre, provide writers with a one-week fully resourced Writer-in-Residence bursary to take place in 2024 at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre in County Monaghan. Read more about the winning writers and awards below. Jack Harte Bursary 2024 The Jack Harte Bursary offers a professional writer a one-week fully resourced Writer-in-Residence bursary to take place in 2024 at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre. The award is named in honour of Jack Harte, Founder of the Irish Writers Centre, in celebration and... Read Moreread more.


PRESS RELEASE: Irish Writers Centre announces lineup for Nollaig na mBan 2024 celebrations

December 6, 2023 11:39 am Published by Leave your thoughts

Nollaig na mBan 2024: BODIES OF WORK Saturday 6 January 2024 | 7.00pm–9.00pm AT: The Irish Writers Centre (Parnell Square, Dublin 1) Tickets are now on sale via the Irish Writers Centre website   The Irish Writers Centre (IWC) is set to celebrate Nollaig na mBan on Saturday 6 January 2024 from 7.00pm–9.00pm. Nollaig na mBan, also known as Women’s Christmas or Little Christmas, was a day off for the hard-working women of the home where the men took up the household chores (for the day!) The festivities will take place at IWC’s beautiful Georgian headquarters in Parnell Square, Dublin. The IWC continues to mark this annual tradition by showcasing the extraordinary achievements of women writers in Ireland. This year’s theme is BODIES OF WORK, a celebration of our incredible Irish women writers working in different literary forms. With award-winning poet Jessica... Read Moreread more.


Opportunities and Competitions December 2023

December 8, 2023 12:43 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Photo credit: Kylemore Abbey Centre at Connemara (Co. Galway) Each month we update our Competitions, Submissions & Opportunities webpage, along with our Bursaries & Funding, to ensure that we are connecting our writers with the best upcoming opportunities. Here are a few deadlines we wanted to highlight this December. Submissions: Channel Deadline: 31st December 2023 As Ireland’s foremost environmental literary journal, Channel’s aim is to provide a home for Irish and international writing that contributes to building rich, mutually sustaining relationships between human beings and the natural world. They publish two issues every year and they are currently open for submissions for their 10th issue. They publish fiction, non-fiction and poetry and currently they can offer a fee of €35 per printed page, up to a total maximum of €250 per piece and with a minimum fee of €50 for single-page... Read Moreread more.


Building Notice: We Are Open As Usual On Saturday 25 November 2023

November 24, 2023 11:33 am Published by Leave your thoughts

The Irish Writers Centre will be open as usual this Saturday 25 November 2023. All scheduled courses and writing groups will take place inside our building at 19 Parnell Square this weekend. Please note, if you are travelling by public transport into Dublin City, there are currently no Luas Red Line services running between Smithfield and The Point. Luas tickets are valid for travel on Dublin Bus during this disruption. Luas information: https://luas.ie/travel-updates/ Dublin Bus information: https://www.dublinbus.ie/   For further information on access to our building, please email: info@irishwriterscentre.ie. read more.


Opportunities and Competitions November 2023

November 1, 2023 10:43 am Published by Leave your thoughts

Photo credit: A view of Glendalough taken by our Arts Administrative Assistant Tom Each month we update our Competitions, Submissions & Opportunities webpage, along with our Bursaries & Funding, to ensure that we are connecting our writers with the best upcoming opportunities. Here are a few deadlines we wanted to highlight this November. Submissions:   The Stinging Fly Magazine Deadline: 28th November 2023 The Stinging Fly has been at the forefront of the Irish literary scene since it launched all the way back in 1998. They publish two editions every year with a focus on new writing. They will next be open for general submissions from Monday November 13th until midnight Irish time on Tuesday November 28th. Submissions received during this period will be read for their Summer 2024 issue. The London Magazine Deadline: 30th November 2023 This storied and prestigious... Read Moreread more.