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

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, 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 of Dublin. Intensive options include morning or afternoon courses (or both).

For more information, see full schedule below:

Each week-long course will run from Monday 6th to Friday 10th July for two hours each day. Writers can choose from either morning or afternoon sessions (or both!), depending on the course. Courses include:

Mornings 

Choose one course from the following: 

• 10am–12pm: The Short Story with Órfhlaith Foyle

• 10am–12pm: Writing Children’s/ Young Adult Stories with Claire Hennessy 

• 11am–1pm: Non-Fiction with Geraldine Walsh 

And/ or: 

Afternoons 

Choose one course from the following: 

• 2–4pm: Playwriting with Caitriona Daly 

• 2–4pm: Fiction with David Butler 

• 2–4pm: Poetry with Colm Keegan 

Taster Workshops 

If you’ve never attended a course at the Irish Writers Centre, and/or are new to writing these could be the ones for you! Our taster workshops are one hour long and led by facilitators who will be returning to give their full-length course this Autumn. They include: 

• Monday 6th: Non-Fiction with Roe McDermott (two sessions, 12-1pm, Fragmenting Experiences, Fragmented Structures & 2-3pm, Art and Personal Writing) 

• Tuesday 7th: Close Reading Poetry with Jessica Traynor (12-1pm)

• Wednesday 8th: Writing Childhood with Joanna Hayden (12-1pm) and Book Illustration with Oisín McGann (2-3pm)

• Thursday 9th: Crime Writing with Andrea Carter (12-1pm)

• Friday 10th: Finish Your Novel with Conor Kostick (12-1pm)

The Writer’s Surgery with Adam Wyeth 

Tuesday 7th–Thursday 9th, 4.30-6.30pm 

Join experienced facilitator, writer, and mentor Adam Wyeth for a two-hour session reflecting on your craft with guided feedback and group discussion in a structured, supportive space.

Further Events 

Words in the Air: Live Journal Spotlight  

Wednesday 8th, 6.30-8.30pm 

During the week we will also be hosting the latest event in our Words in the Air on Parnell Square series: a literary journal showcase. Come along to hear from the editors of some of your favourite journals on the work that interests them, and the tips and tricks you need to know to get published.  

Tickets for this event will be released closer to the time, and attendance will be open to the general public. 

Summer Sessions Open Mic Night 

Friday 10th, 4.15-6pm  

We will hold an open mic session at the end of the week to celebrate our course participants. All attendees of the Words on the Page: Irish Writers Centre Summer Sessions are welcome to join and share their work, or simply enjoy the work of your new community of writers!