Jack Harte Bursary 2023

The Jack Harte Bursary is once again open for applications after a temporary absence due to Covid 19. Created and funded by the Irish Writers Centre (IWC) in partnership with the Tyrone Guthrie Centre (TGC), we are offering a professional writer a one-week fully resourced Writer-in-Residence Bursary to take place in 2023 by arrangement with the TGC. 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.

In keeping with Goal 1 of the Irish Writers Centre’s new 2022-2026 Strategy, this programme will support professional writers to advance their craft and career with confidence and resilience.

Who Can Apply:

This is an open call to writers, over 18 years of age, resident on the island of Ireland with a proven track record and at least one book of fiction or short stories published by a recognised publisher. Priority will be given to works of fiction. Writers of both the English and Irish language are welcome to apply. We particularly encourage applications from Black, POC (person of colour), Traveller, Roma, LGBT+, disabled and working class writers, and those who consider themselves to be within the groups described in the EDI statement on our website.

How to Apply:

Applications are accepted by email only to projects@writerscentre.ie

Please include:

1. 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 your time at Annaghmakerrig.
2. An updated Curriculum Vitae (max. two A4 pages) including publications with ISBNs.
3. Clearly labelled samples of recent work. We are looking for three short samples from different works (up to 400 words each), plus a sample from the work-in-progress that you propose to focus on during the residency (Max 3 pages). All creative samples will be given blind readings by a professional writer on the selection panel, as part of the selection process. Please ensure that your creative samples do not include your name.
4. Any relevant information on your proposed project such as written excerpts, photos, research information, etc.

Note: Please compile all relevant documentation into a single Word doc or PDF attachment. (Incorrect collation may result in ineligibility.)

Application Deadline:

Wednesday 31st August at 5pm.

No late applications will be considered. Applications will be acknowledged by email on receipt.

Selection Process:

All applications will be reviewed for eligibility, then for expression of intent, range and quality of writing samples. Applications will then go before a selection committee consisting of the Irish Writers Centre and a nominee of the Tyrone Guthrie Centre. There will also be an independent writer on the panel tasked to assess the blind reading materials. The panel will select from eligible applications only, so please ensure to read the criteria carefully and to observe the sample word counts requested.

Selection will be made respecting the priority groupings described above.

The recipient of the bursary will be publicly announced at a celebration event (TBC) at the Irish Writers Centre.

Past Recipients Include:

2020: Micheál Ó Conghaile

2019: Jan Carson

2018: Neil Hegarty

2017: Henrietta McKervey

2016: Sarah Moore Fitzgerald

2015: Liz Nugent

About the Irish Writers Centre

As the leading support and development organisation for writers since 1991, the Irish Writers Centre carries out its work, online and in person, on an all island basis. We work with writers of all types and talents, and actively encourage writers from all communities to engage in creative writing. We provide many ways and means for them to develop their skill, advance their ambitions and join a vibrant and diverse community of people who share their passion and purpose.

We are also a membership organisation, always seeking new opportunities for members to grow as writers and to connect with each other through IWC programmes and supports.

About the Tyrone Guthrie Centre

The Tyrone Guthrie Centre is a cross-border organisation that offers time away, space to work, and opportunities for collaboration and networking for artists that facilitates the development of their practice across all art forms. Annaghmakerrig House is situated in the quiet countryside of County Monaghan, and together with our self-catering cottages, our studios and performance spaces, as well as our lake and our forests, gardens, and fields, The Tyrone Guthrie Centre is a place where creativity flourishes amid the many pressures and distractions of contemporary life. Providing a quiet environment that esteems, supports, and develops our artists is what we do, but we aim to do it more holistically by creating audiences for our artists where appropriate, and by creating partnerships with organisations such as The Irish Writers Centre for the benefit of artists from all communities on the island of Ireland.