Carlow County Council Writer in Residence
Carlow County Councils Arts Service and Library Service have a strong commitment to providing literary developments through partnership. Our programme focuses on long-term sustainable initiatives that benefit our local communities as well as nurturing the development of new writing skills. We are also committed to quality, access, and inclusivity.
Carlow County Council has nurtured a number of Writers in Residency programmes over the years, including Sean Hardie, Bryan Delaney, John Mackenna to name a few. We would now wish to continue our commitment by seeking an accomplished Writer to work with us in a local context, whilst supporting the writer to simultaneously develop their own writing practice. The focus of this residency will be the development of a writer’s collective for County Carlow. This collective will support amateur and emerging writers in our community and provide a space for writers to come together, converse, share thoughts, develop their writing skills and seek advice.
Residency Objectives
- Nurture the practice of Writers and support the development of a Community Writing Collective with the aim of developing a self-sustaining group.
- Develop, nurture and generate new audiences for the writing community
- Extend the appreciation and accessibility of writing and literature
- Raise awareness and promote the work of Carlow libraries
We are seeking Writers who have an accomplished track record in one or more the following genres:
- Poetry/Song Writing/Spoken Word
- Fiction/Short Stories
- Drama/Screen Writing
- Non-fiction/Memoir
Place of Work
The successful applicant will host activities at Carlow Central Library. The successful applicant must have their own space to undertake any other administration related to the residency and their own transport.
Duration
The residency will run for an initial period of 3 months with the option to extend for a further 3 months following an evaluation. To commence July 2025 – September 2025
With agreement between the County Arts Service, Library Services and Writer in Residence as to the structure of that time, that will include contact time/workshops/development work related to the residency, that will be needs led. It is also proposed that with agreement from participants, an event will take place on Culture Night 2025.
Fee
The fee available is €5,000 (subject to budget approval), this is inclusive of all materials, expenses and any other related costs. As well as up to date Tax Clearance Certificate and appropriate Insurance.
On Conclusion of the residency the successful applicant will furnish Carlow County Council with a comprehensive report on the outcomes of the residency and the potential recommendations to develop and expand on the programme further. The successful applicant will maintain a blog throughout the period of the residency keeping the Arts Service and Library Service informed of the progression of all residency activities. The writer will also undertake any other duties that are deemed mutually beneficial to the residency that may be considered by the Arts Service and Library Service.
Writers are asked to :
- Submit the application form
- attach an up-to-date CV
- attach a letter outlining your interest and approach to this brief
- submit examples of previous published works (or links to published works).
Deadline for receipt of applications is no later than Friday 30th May 2025 at 12 noon.
Applications will be assessed by a suitably qualified panel