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17 Top Creative Writing Courses in Ireland

By Hiten Vyas

Are you a budding writer, or an experienced writer who lives on the island of Ireland ?

Do you feel attending a creative writing workshop will help you to develop, or enhance your storytelling prowess?

Continue reading to learn about 17 top creative writing courses in Ireland.

1. Getting Published with Vanessa O’Loughlin

Organized by Dublin’s Big Smoke Writing Factory, this half-day workshop will take place on September 28th and will cover everything you need to know about submitting your book for publication. Facilitator Vanessa O’Loughlin is an author and publishing consultant who works as a literary scout for a number of Irish publishers and agents. Vanessa will be giving advice on how to get your writing noticed, as well as concrete and actionable tips on where to submit your work, how to improve your pitch, and how the publishing business operates.

The workshop fee is €50 per participant. If you are interested in joining, you can learn more about the workshop here . For questions and clarifications, you may contact the Big Smoke Writing Factory team.

2. Creative Writing for Self-Expression and Wellbeing with Simon Forsyth and Clare Hennessy

Also organized by Big Smoke Writing Factory, Creative Writing for Self-Expression and Wellbeing is a one-day experiential workshop facilitated by counsellor Simon Forsyth and author Clare Hennessy. The workshop will include various activities that focus on demystifying creativity, becoming more comfortable about committing words to the page, finding a vocabulary for your emotions, and building the confidence to share your work in a safe environment. The workshop fee is €70 per participant, and no previous writing experience is required to join.

The workshop will take place on September 21st. Interested participants can learn more about the workshop here . If you have any additional questions, you may reach Big Smoke Writing Factory here .

3. Memoir Writing by The Memoir Writing Club

The Memoir Writing Club believes that every story is worth sharing. Whether you plan on submitting your memoir for possible publication or you just want to write down your life’s story to pass down to your children and grandchildren, The Memoir Writing Club’s Memoir Writing Course can help you develop your voice and bring your story to life. This 12-week course is 100% online, and it includes 12 interactive lessons, The Memoir Writing Workbook, live group discussions, and access to additional support materials.

The course is €325 for 12 weeks and can be accessed from your computer or mobile device. The next set of classes starts in September. Learn more about what to expect from the course here . You can also get in touch with The Memoir Writing Club through their online inquiry form .

4. Creative Writing with Jane Madden

This is a beginner’s course in Creative Writing held at Portmarnock Community School in Dublin. The 10-week course has 6 parts, covering the creative process, poetry writing, fiction writing, non-fiction writing, playwriting, and going public. Facilitator Jane Madden is a Dublin-based writer who holds an MFA in Playwriting. She is also a creative writing tutor at Fighting Words and the Centre for the Talented Youth of Ireland. She has written several plays, including The Windstealers and Birdy.

Both newcomers and return students are welcome to join. To learn more about the course, visit the course information page . For questions about enrolling, you can reach Portmarnock Community School here .

5. Fiction Workshop with Sean O’Reilly

Organized by Stinging Fly, this workshop in fiction writing runs from September to March of each year. Over the course of six months, participants will meet once a week at the Irish Writers Centre and share their work for close scrutiny. Workshop spots are very limited and are offered based on the work submitted during application. In addition to the weekly workshops, there will also be specialist talks from established authors and creative thinkers.

Applications will be accepted from July to August. You can learn more about the Fiction Workshop and Stinging Fly’s other workshops here . If you have any questions for the Stinging Fly team, you can reach them here .

6. Creative Writing at Kilroy’s College

For those who are too busy to attend workshops and classroom courses, Kilroy’s College offers a distance learning course in Creative Writing. This course can be completed in 12 months, and students who successfully complete it will receive a diploma in recognition of their achievement. The course focuses on sharpening your writing skills, developing insight into the flow and structure of fiction, editing and polishing fiction drafts, and more. The entire course costs €595.

Interested in enrolling? You can learn more about the course here , or you can order a free creative writing brochure . You can also get in touch with Kilroy’s College via email .

7. Creative Writing with Veronica Casey

This is a 10-week Creative Writing course in Cabinteely, Dublin. The course runs for 10 weeks, and participants can choose between Monday or Tuesday evening classes. As a student-led course, classes are developed at the beginning of the course based on the participants’ interests and the type of writing they wish to accomplish. Writers of all experience levels are welcome to join. The tutor, Veronica Casey, has been teaching writing for more than two decades.

The entire course costs €110, and the next set of classes begins in September. If you would like to enroll, you can book your spot and learn more about the course here . Additional inquiries may be sent here .

8. Listowel Writers’ Week

Established in the 1970s, Listowel Writers’ Week is a 5-day literary festival that brings poets and writers together in the beautiful town of Listowel in County Kerry. The festival features masterclasses, panels, talks, and workshops for writers of every genre and experience level. Some of the experts who have delivered workshops at Listowel Writers’ Week include Michael Harding, Douglas Kennedy, Vona Groarke, and Christine Dwyer Hickey.

The next Listowel Writers’ Week will be on May 27th to May 31st, 2020, and it will be their 50th festival to date. The details aren’t out yet, but you can learn more about the festival here as more information become available. You can also email the Listowel Writers’ Week team should you have any additional questions.

9. Private Writing Classes with Irene Graham

For writers who prefer one-on-one guidance instead of working with a group, renowned Irish author and writing coach Irene Graham offers private writing classes both in person and online. Her private writing classes are ideal for new writers who aren’t sure how to get started, as well as more advanced writers who are struggling to finish their manuscripts. Prices vary based on several factors. If you’re interested, you can learn more about Irene and her classes here .

To inquire about pricing and availability, you can contact Irene through her online contact form . You can also book a complimentary session to gauge if her private classes are a good fit for your needs.

10. Writing Workshops by Munster Literature Centre

Established in 1993, Munster Literature Centre is a non-profit organization in Cork, Ireland. They are dedicated to the celebration of literature, and they organize annual workshops, festivals, readings, and writing competitions. Each year, they hold workshops in fiction and poetry, facilitated by established Irish writers. Last year, their workshops were led by Alannah Hopkin, Patrick Cotter, and Billy O’Callaghan.

Details for their 2019 workshops haven’t been released yet, but you can check the workshops section on their website for announcements. For inquiries, contact Munster Literature Centre via email .

11. Novel Submission Prep with Clare Hennessy

Novel Submission Prep with Clare Hennessy is an online course with four modules. It will take place in September, and they are currently accepting enrollees. The course is designed for authors who are trying to get their manuscripts ready for submission to publishing houses and agents. Facilitator Clare Hennessy is an experienced author and editor, and her course will focus on answering several questions: how do you hook readers from the very beginning of your book, how do you craft the perfect query or cover letter, and where should you submit your manuscript?

Should you be interested in joining this course, you can find more information here .

12. Revising and Editing with Paula McGrath

This is an online course that focuses on revising and editing the first draft of your manuscript. It focuses on the overall structure of your manuscript, symbols and themes, voice, characterization, point of view, and more. The course has five modules that can be completed at your own pace, but most participants complete the course in 8 to 10 weeks. The tutor, Paula McGrath, is a published author with a background in literature.

You can enroll for the course at any time of the year. Interested participants can find more information about enrolling and what to expect from the course here .

13. Writing Courses by the Irish Writers Centre

Founded in 1991, the Irish Writers Centre is Ireland’s national resource center for all things related to Irish literature. They offer various workshops and courses facilitated by renowned writers across different fields, including poetry, fiction, non-fiction, playwriting, short stories, and more. They offer new workshops each season. Details about their upcoming autumn workshops aren’t available yet, but you can check out their current selection here .

To stay updated on all their upcoming workshops and courses, you can sign up for their free newsletter. You can also reach them via email if you have any additional questions.

14. Certificate in Creative Writing for Publication at Maynooth University

Maynooth University offers an undergraduate certificate course in Creative Writing for Publication. It takes place on the Maynooth University campus on Monday evenings. Each class is 3 hours long, and the entire course takes 100 hours to complete. The course has four modules: non-fiction writing, publishing industry awareness, short story writing, and novel writing.

The course is only available to participants over 21 years of age, but prior writing experience is not a requirement. If you are interested in enrolling, you can find more information about the course here . Inquiries may be sent to Kay Loughlin via email . Kay is Senior Executive Assistant for Adult and Community Education.

15. Creative Writing at St. Colmcille’s Community School

St. Colmcille’s Community School offers a Creative Writing course under their Adult Education Program during their spring and autumn terms. The course runs for 8 weeks and costs €90, and classes take place one night a week. They are currently accepting applicants for their autumn term which begins in September. Interested applicants have until September 9 to enroll.

If you are interested, you can read the full course description here , or you can check out their brochure to learn more about all the courses they offer. You can also contact St Colmcille’s via email for inquiries.

16. Creative Writing at Marino College

Marino College offers an evening course in Creative Writing. This course runs for 8 weeks and takes place every Tuesday at 7:00 pm. In this class, students will learn how to shape stories, develop convincing characters, write dialogue, and find their own voice. The course costs €80, and those who are interested can enroll on September 3rd, 9th, or 10th, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. You can also enroll by post. Simply fill out the form included in their night school brochure and follow the mailing instructions.

Marino College is located in Fairview, Dublin. If you have any questions about their courses, feel free to get in touch with them here .

17. Creative Writing at Crescent College

Crescent College in Limerick has an introductory Creative Writing course under their Adult Education Program. The course costs €120 and is designed for aspiring writers who are looking to develop their creativity and confidence in fiction writing, poetry writing, and memoir writing. The course is 8 weeks long and will be held in the evenings. Crescent College is currently accepting enrollees for their autumn term which will commence on September 16th. If you are interested in enrolling, you can fill out the enrollment form included in their autumn brochure , or you can enroll online . The minimum age for all courses is 16, and all courses are non-refundable.

If you have any additional questions and concerns, you can find Crescent College’s contact information and office hours here .

Are there any other creative writing courses in Ireland that should be on this list? Please tell us about them in the comments box below!

Hiten Vyas is the Founder and Managing Editor of Writing Tips Oasis .