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Opportunities, events, courses and more
Deiseanna, imeachtaí, cúrsaí agus níos mó
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We're very excited to share with you our regular round-up of enticing events and opportunities in Dublin and beyond!
Featured below we have updates on our International Debut Novel Competition, Irish Language Poetry Mentorship, new festival Words, in Other Places, Writers in the Region masterclass series, Seán Hewitt masterclass, Climate Writing series, our new podcast, New Irish Communities series and more.
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2026 International Debut Novel Competition: Now Open for Submissions!
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Are you an aspiring novelist? Would you like to see your work in print?
The Irish Writers Centre International Debut Novel Competition is our flagship annual literary competition, awarding twelve unpublished novelists with the opportunity to pitch their novels to leading publishers and literary agents.
We all know the path to publication can feel bewildering and mysterious. The Competition’s mission is to facilitate first encounters between aspiring novelists and members of the publishing industry. During two Pitch Days (10 and 11 September) the twelve winners of this year's competition will be given the opportunity to pitch their novels face-to-face or zoom-to-zoom to publishers and agents.
As part of your submission, we ask for a synopsis of the book project you're working on. Want further tips on crafting a synopsis? Check out our special one-day workshop with previous winner Lauren MacKenzie to help you get your application into shape!
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Irish Writers Centre Irish Language Poetry Mentorship
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Tá lúcháir ar Áras Scríbhneoirí na hÉireann ár gcéad meantóireacht Gaeilge a fhógairt. I mbliana, beidh an mheantóireacht ann do scríbhneoirí filíochta; beidh béim ar seanraí eile sna blianta atá le teacht. Is í an file iomráiteach Aifric Mac Aodha a bheidh mar mheantóir againn.
Tá an scéim ar oscailt do scríbhneoir ar bith thar 18 a bhfuil cónaí orthu áit ar bith in Éirinn faoi láthair. Bronnfar trí shéisiúin meantóireachta ar an bhuaiteoir i rith na bliana 2026.
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Words, in Other Places: A New Literary Festival
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Coming up next weekend, Words, In Other Places is an Irish Writers Centre Literary Festival, in partnership with the European Parliament Liaison Office in Ireland.
Over the course of one weekend, Saturday 11 April at the Seamus Heaney Centre, Queen’s University in Belfast, and Sunday 12 April at the Irish Writers Centre in Dublin, Words, In Other Places will showcase a tri-lateral range of form, talent and diversity in today’s literary scene, looking to the north and south of Ireland while welcoming international writers.
Check out the programme for further information!
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Writers in the Regions: 2026 Dates Announced
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Writers in the Regions is an in-person lecture-style, masterclass series designed to broaden our reach into the vibrant writing communities around the country and bringing expertise and experience to writers at different stages of their writing journey. This year we look forward to welcoming David Butler, Mary Morrissy, Mary O’Donnell, Alan McMonagle and Rónán Hession, among others, in various locations including Sligo, Galway, Leitrim and more.
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We are delighted to offer a masterclass with Rooney Prize-winning poet, novelist, and memoirist Seán Hewitt, taking place online on Tuesday, 28 April from 6.30 to 8.30pm. In this masterclass, Seán will trace the evolution of a collection of poems, from first drafts and notes through to finished poems and onwards to arranging and ordering into a book for publication. Perfect for writers looking for inspiration on transforming notes, fragments and drafts into new poems, and those finalising manuscripts for publication.
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Our Climate Writing sessions are back for our fifth year! Running from April to November, there will be five, hour-long sessions featuring writers in conversation with climate activists and scientists. A sixth session will announce the winner of the inaugural Irish Writers Centre Climate Writing Prize.
Each session will end with a writing prompt. Attendees can then enter the Climate Writing Prize with work based on any of the five sessions prompts. The winning piece will be awarded €250 and publication in Channel Magazine, with a runner-up receiving a course bursary worth €250. The aim of the Prize is to encourage writers to develop their work beyond the sessions, and to explore the genre of climate writing.
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Words in the Air: A New Literary Podcast
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Something to brighten up your weekend... introducing: Words in the Air, a new literary podcast from the Irish Writers Centre!
The second episode, a writers' roundtable, features Aoife Barry chatting to writers Kevin Curran, Olivia Fitzsimons, Victoria Kennefick and Emmet Kirwan. The conversation includes all aspects of the writer's journey, from first steps, to early publications, finding your community and the the continuing call of creation.
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The Irish Writers Centre’s New Irish Communities is an annual series of creative writing sessions for non-native speakers to explore creative writing in English. In a warm and supportive environment, participants meet new writers, share their stories, and take part in creative writing exercises. All sessions are facilitated by writers from diverse literary backgrounds, in both poetry and prose.
New Irish Communities is ideal for beginner and emerging writers.
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Other exciting events coming up at No. 19 Parnell Square include:
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We've just released our latest batch of courses!
Whether you'd like to join us here in Dublin or online, for a day course or for multiple weeks, there are a range of course options to suit you: covering a huge range of interests and for writers at every stage of their journey.
Join us and make 2026 your most creative year yet!
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Did you know that Irish Writers Centre members receive discount on all our courses, masterclasses and events?
Additional benefits include discounts with selected Irish bookstores, exclusive networking and showcase events, and use of the writing space in our beautiful building in Parnell Square, Dublin.
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