Writers in the Regions: New Masterclass Series 2025

The Irish Writers Centre is excited to announce a new initiative, Writers in the Region, an in-person masterclass series which is aimed at broadening our reach into the vibrant writing communities around the country and bringing expertise and experience to writers at different stages of their writing journey. 

These one-off masterclasses will explore the craft of writing, developing plot and style and perspectives from which to tell a story. They will also cover the business of writing and publishing. These inspirational sessions, offered by some of Ireland’s most valued authors, will be open to all writers, aged 18 years and over. 

We are delighted to kick off the series in Northern Ireland with renowned Derry-born novelist and short-story writer, Sean O’Reilly in Derry Central Library on Saturday 3 May (book your place here). Following this, Kevin Barry, award-winning novelist and winner of the 2013 Dublin Literary Award, will conduct a masterclass in The Dock in Carrick-On-Shannon, Co Leitrim on Saturday 17 May (book your place here). Sean O’Reilly will appear again in the Yeats Society Sligo on Saturday 26 May. On Saturday 7 June, Mike McCormack, winner of the 2018 Dublin Literary Award, will host his masterclass in Galway City Museum and, finally, 2023 Markievicz Award recipient, Danielle McLaughlin, at the Waterford Writers Weekend in October, date yet to be announced.  

Full information and tickets for each masterclass will be made available for all masterclasses soon. 

We would like to thank the Arts Council of Ireland for their continued support, and the writers facilitating the classes and all the venues and festivals who have welcomed us.