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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!
In this jam-packed newsletter we have updates on: the Irish Writers Centre's New Writing Prize in association with The Stinging Fly, Podcast, Regional Roadshows, Climate Writing Prize & Sessions, Writers in the Regions series, Evolution Programme, Anthology, Summer Sessions and more... Phew!
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Submissions Closing Soon: 2026 Irish Writers Centre New Writing Prize in Association with The Stinging Fly
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The New Writing Prize is an annual literary award, now in its second year, organised as part of an ongoing collaboration between the Irish Writers Centre and The Stinging Fly. The aim of the award each year is to discover, promote and encourage the talents of new, undiscovered voices in Irish writing.
Submissions close on Tuesday June 30th at 5pm Irish Time. Eligible writers are invited to submit one short story of up to 3,000 words.
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Have You Checked Out Our Podcast?
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Words in the Air is a new literary podcast from the Irish Writers Centre, available across streaming platforms. Episodes to date have featured interviews with writers including Joseph O'Connor, Kevin Curran, Olivia Fitzsimons, Victoria Kennefick, Emmet Kirwan, John Banville, Neil Jordan, and most recently a recap of our latest climate writing session.
This weekend, we'll be bringing you an exclusive conversation between poet Rosamund Taylor and novelist Katherine O'Donnell, 'Writing Queer Irish Womanhood', just in time to celebrate Dublin Pride!
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Next Month: The Irish Writers Centre at West Cork Literary Festival!
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Throughout 2026, the Irish Writers Centre is touring the island. We're bringing an exciting programme of literary events including creative writing workshops, showcases, panel discussions, masterclasses and information sessions to the four provinces.
In July, our Roadshow is heading to Bantry for the West Cork Literary Festival, running from 10–17 July 2026, with an international lineup of renowned and emerging writers. The festival has been a firm fixture in Ireland’s literary scene for over 25 years! You can see the festival brochure here.
We are delighted to offer six public events and a special members event and open mic showcase this year, where members can meet for an hour of coffee, chat and literature at The Maritime Hotel (5pm, Tuesday July 14th). If you're a member, you can join Deputy CEO of the Irish Writers Centre, Teerth Chungh, and Head of Programming Damien B Donnelly to hear all about the work of the Irish Writers Centre, meet writers in your own community, and there'll be an open mic where you can share your own work!
Check out the link below for info on all events.
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Irish Writers Centre Climate Writing Sessions & Prize
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Our Climate Writing sessions are back for our fifth year! From now until November we'll continue with our monthly hour-long sessions featuring writers in conversation with climate activists and scientists. The next session, on Wednesday 29 July is on Climate & Poetry, with acclaimed poets Paddy Bushe and Jane Robinson.
Each session ends with a writing prompt. Attendees can then enter the Climate Writing Prize with work based on any of the session prompts. The winning piece will be awarded €250 and publication in Channel Magazine.
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Writers in the Regions: Derry
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We are pleased to present a two-hour lecture style masterclass with Rónán Hession this September in Derry. This masterclass is part of Writers in the Regions, our in-person masterclass series 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.
Rónán Hession is an Irish writer and musician who has published three novels: Leonard and Hungry Paul, Paneka, and Ghost Mountain. His fiction has been translated into eleven languages and has been nominated for several major prizes. Rónán’s fourth novel, Richard Heart Julianne, will be published in 2027.
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Closing Soon: Evolution Programme 2026-27
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Closing on Tuesday June 30th!
The Irish Writers Centre is delighted to announce the return of the Evolution Programme for 2026-2027. This free six-month programme will provide support for up to twelve published writers (with 2 published books) to advance their writing careers.
The range of supports includes a monthly online forum, clinics with industry experts and peers, an invitation to shadow our selection panels (normally online) and a Writer in Residency position at the Seamus Heaney Centre, Queen’s University in Belfast, which will be offered to a Northern Ireland based writer. It also includes an opportunity to be on a paid teaching residency with the School of English and Creative Arts at the University of Galway. This residency will be limited to three writers, with further selection through an interview process.
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Submissions Open: New Irish Writers Centre Anthology
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The Irish Writers Centre invites submissions from eligible writers, affiliated with the organisation, for potential inclusion in a special anthology to mark our 35th anniversary. We are grateful to Dublin UNESCO City of Literature for providing funding to support this publication.
The publication will celebrate the Centre and the writers who have shaped this now iconic literary institution, featuring work from 35 writers. In line with our payment policy, selected contributors will receive €250 and a complimentary copy of the anthology.
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Words on the Page: The Irish Writers Centre Summer Sessions
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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.
This is a week-long celebration of creative writing (6th-10th July), 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.
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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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