Limerick Writers' Centre

Limerick Writers' Centre The Limerick Writers’ Centre is based in Limerick City, Ireland and has a mission to be a strong c Clare he has worked in the US and Ireland.
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Limerick has long been famous for its passion for arts, culture and heritage and you only have to look at some of its natives, which include Pulitzer Prize winning author Frank McCourt; novelists Kate O’Brien, Michael Curtin and lately Kevin Barry, Donal Ryan, Cristoir O'Floinn and Paul Lynch, as well as poets Michael Hogan, Desmond O’Grady and John Liddy…the list goes on and on, proving that lit

erature and writing is one of the major creative activities that the Treaty City can be proud of. No surprise then that since 2008 the Limerick Writers’ Centre, based in Barrington Street, has been nurturing and supporting a new wave of writers by holding workshops, readings, talks and engaging in publishing activities.Founded by four people who are actively involved in the literary life of the city; Dominic Taylor, Mike Finn, Dermot Petty and Mark Lloyd the centre is run on a voluntary basis with the day to day running in the hands of Dominic Taylor. The board of directors has undergone some changes since these four founding members got together to launch the Writers’ Centre. Since then the board has been joined by Fiona Clark Echlin - a poet playwright and drama teacher and by Jim Burke a poet and a founder member of The Stony Thursday Book, Ireland's longest published poetry journal.Dominic Taylor one of the two original founding members began writing in 2000 and was one of the early organisers of the poetry readings in The White House in Limerick and he still reads there every week. He is currently the event organiser at the LWC and managing editor of their poetry imprint Revival Press. Dermott Petty is a film-maker, originally from Lisdoonvarna, Co. As well as various short films he has produced, directed and wrote a feature film called Man Band. Workshops have been a central activity of the centre since its inception; there are regular poetry and prose workshops plus screenwriting, memoir and life writing. Literary talks are also a regular activity where literary agents, recently London agent Jo Unwin, revealed the secrets of getting published to a large attendance. Also this year multi award nominated crime novelist Wiliam Ryan (originally from Limerick) conducted a workshop at our centre on developing characters for the novel. Our flagship monthly literary gathering ‘On The Nail’ takes place in Chez le Fab arts cafe, Arthur's Quay Park on the first Tuesday of every month and regularly draws a large audience. The gathering comprises of guest readers, a theatre piece and an open-mic for anyone who wishes to read their own work. The LWC is also committed to promoting creativity in music and our 'Acoustic Club' Songwriter Music Sessions take place in Charlie Malone's Bar, Wolfe Tone St., Limerick every Tuesday- Limerick's newest artistic venue,

Publishing has also played an important part in the life of the centre with a number of major projects completed such as Kemmy’s Limerick Miscellany and Luaithreach Angela, a translation of Frank McCourt’s Angela’s Ashes into Irish. Earlier this year we publish an anthology on Limerick poet Michael Hartnett. Our long running Revival Literary Journal is now in its 28th issue and continues to gather a reputation both national and internationally, the current editor is Noel King. The centre is also always available to give advice to anyone who wants to self-publish. Our most recent book is The Curious Story of the Limerick by Dr Matthew Potter which tells of the connection between Limerick and the five line Limerick verse. The Centre has published over 60 titles to date. One of the most popular activities of the centre has been the peer critique writers’ groups.Once a month writers gather at the centre to critique one another’s work, the groups are divided into prose/fiction and poetry.The success and popularity of these groups have been very encouraging for aspiring writers and one of our members Pat O’Connor won the Seán Ó Faoláin International Short Story Competition in 2011 and other members have had work published in various journals. In the summer of 2013 we expanded our 'Bring Your Limericks to Limerick' Competition in association with Campus Life Services in UL and this proved hughly successful, our intention is to continue to develop this into a major summer literary festival for Limerick. Next year also we begin a series of public talks, in association with the Department of English and Literature in Mary Immaculate College, on Great Irish Writers, we start Feb 6th with Dr Desmond Swan on Kavanagh and his epic poem The Great Hunger. The series will continue on a bi-monthly basis. As awareness of the Centre grows and the range of activities increases more and more people are beginning to use and appreciate the benefits of having a Writers’ Centre in Limerick.The positive feedback it has generated from people like Mary Shanahan from Abbeyfeale, who commenting on a recent workshop she attended with Fiona Clark Echlin said “Fiona, you were inspirational”, this is typical of the response we receive from aspiring writers. Also guest readers at ‘On The Nail’ have been very appreciative of our efforts as guest Eleanor Ho**er recently commented “Great night at 'On The Nail' readings in Limerick. Huge thanks to Dominic Taylor and Limerick Writers' Centre for making it possible, left you wanting to hear more! The audience was warm and appreciative and yep, bought books too”. The Centre is currently unfunded by the Arts Council or local authority. For anyone wishing to contact the centre the first port of call is our website www.limerickwriterscentre.com or telephone 087 2996409.

06/09/2024

http//www.limerickwriterscentre.com(Video: Patrick Thomas Howard)What a night of excitement and exceptional performance at the famous White House Bar in Lime...

05/09/2024
https://www.irelandsown.ie/irelands-own-writing-competition-2024/
03/09/2024

https://www.irelandsown.ie/irelands-own-writing-competition-2024/

IRELAND’S OWN is pleased to announce details of our 2024 Writing Competitions. Entrants are invited to compete for €2,450 in gift-card prizes. OPEN SHORT STORY SECTION The Open Short Story section (2,000 words maximum) is open to all and carries a prize fund of €1,000 gift cards – a first pr...

28/08/2024
17/08/2024

Calling all poets! The Munster Poetry Slam is coming to Limerick!

Date: Wednesday, September 4th
Time: 7:30 PM
Venue: The Whitehouse Bar, Limerick

We're looking for passionate wordsmiths to showcase their talent. Interested? Email your name to [email protected] to participate.

Highlights:
- Prizes for winners
- Top scorers qualify for the All Ireland Slam in November
- Full guidelines provided upon registration

Don't miss this chance to slam your way to victory! Register now and let your words take center stage.

Some of the general rules of the slam are below and all participants will be sent a full set of guidelines upon application.

General slam rules
1. All poems must be from memory.
2. No pages or notes allowed on stage.
3. Poems can be on any subject and in any style.
4. Poems must be the original work of the performing poet.
5. No props, costumes, musical instruments or backing tracks allowed.
6. Poems may not be repeated in different rounds.
7. Poems should be a maximum of three minutes in length
8. Poems can be on any subject.'

The novel "The Golden Ass" (Limerick Writers' Centre 2024)  by Ciaran O'Driscoll is not, as one recent review suggested,...
14/08/2024

The novel "The Golden Ass" (Limerick Writers' Centre 2024) by Ciaran O'Driscoll is not, as one recent review suggested, "a gay 'Fifty Shades of Grey'." Rather, it's a story that explores the lives of various "in-betweeners"— those navigating complex transitions. It resonates with a wide array of readers, such as former monks, Irish expatriates, closeted individuals, those openly embracing their identity, and anyone facing a midlife crisis or other challenging life changes. At the heart of this dark comedy is a woman who drives the narrative’s transformation, showing that “love is more beautiful than beauty”.
The characters' risqué and often scandalous actions eventually uncover a deep, underlying desire for a sense of belonging — a return to the Ulyssean Ithaca, the mythical home that serves as the novel's final word.

Would you like to read and review "The Golden Ass"? Then send us an email with your mailing address and we will send you a copy, the only condition is that you write a review and publish it on your page or elsewhere. If you wish we can send you an electronic copy of the book instead! Contact Dominic Taylor at [email protected]

Delighted to have been at the launch of Donal Ryan's new book 'Heart Be At Peace' at the Nenagh Bookshop this evening wi...
08/08/2024

Delighted to have been at the launch of Donal Ryan's new book 'Heart Be At Peace' at the Nenagh Bookshop this evening with Marian Cody

As I turned the last page of "A Bronx Summer," I found myself reluctant to leave the vibrant world Frances Browner had c...
18/07/2024

As I turned the last page of "A Bronx Summer," I found myself reluctant to leave the vibrant world Frances Browner had created. From the moment I picked up the book, I was transported between the cozy kitchens of Dublin and the bustling streets of 1980s New York City.
Browner's protagonist felt like a close friend by the end of the novel. Her journey of self-discovery resonated deeply with me, bringing back memories of my own youthful adventures and uncertainties. I laughed at her mishaps, cheered for her successes, and felt a pang of homesickness alongside her as she navigated her new life in the Bronx. The 1980s soundtrack woven throughout the story was a delightful surprise. Each mention of a song immediately conjured the tune in my head, adding an extra layer of nostalgia to the reading experience. I found myself creating a playlist to accompany my reading sessions, further immersing myself in the era.
What struck me most was Browner's ability to capture the essence of both Irish and American cultures. Her writing style, with its clever turns of phrase and rhythmic prose, felt both familiar and refreshingly original. I often found myself rereading passages just to savor the language.
As someone who has experienced living in a new country, I appreciated the authenticity with which Browner portrayed the immigrant experience. The mix of excitement, fear, and longing felt incredibly true to life. There were moments when I had to put the book down, overcome with emotion as I recalled my own similar experiences.
The humor sprinkled throughout the novel was a welcome touch, balancing out the more poignant moments. I often found myself chuckling out loud, earning curious glances from fellow commuters as I read on my way to work.
By the time I finished "A Bronx Summer," I felt as though I had taken a journey myself. The characters lingered in my mind for days, and I caught myself wondering what might have happened to them beyond the pages of the book.
This novel reminded me why I love reading: for the ability to step into someone else's shoes and experience a life different from my own. Browner's story left me with a renewed appreciation for the courage it takes to leave one's home and the beauty of finding oneself in the process.
"A Bronx Summer" has earned a permanent place on my bookshelf, and I look forward to revisiting its pages whenever I need a reminder of the adventures that await when we dare to step out of our comfort zones.

14/07/2024
03/07/2024

The 2024 Stony Thursday Book is seeking submissions from local, national and international poets for its next issue

TONIGHT 9pm!
02/07/2024

TONIGHT 9pm!

Looking forward to this, if you want to read a poem, let me know!
14/06/2024

Looking forward to this, if you want to read a poem, let me know!

Address

C/o The Umbrella Project, 78 O'Connell Street
Limerick

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Our Story: A Place to Inspire and be Inspired

Limerick has long been famous for its passion for arts, culture and heritage and you only have to look at some of its natives, which include Pulitzer Prize winning author Frank McCourt; novelists Kate O’Brien, Michael Curtin and lately Kevin Barry, Donal Ryan, Cristoir O'Floinn and Paul Lynch, as well as poets Michael Hogan, Desmond O’Grady and John Liddy…the list goes on and on, proving that literature and writing is one of the major creative activities that the Treaty City can be proud of. No surprise then that since 2008 the Limerick Writers’ Centre, based in Barrington Street, has been nurturing and supporting a new wave of writers by holding workshops, readings, talks and engaging in publishing activities.Founded by four people who are actively involved in the literary life of the city; Dominic Taylor, Mike Finn, Dermot Petty and Mark Lloyd the centre is run on a voluntary basis with the day to day running in the hands of Dominic Taylor. The board of directors has undergone some changes since these four founding members got together to launch the Writers’ Centre. Since then the board has been joined by Fiona Clark Echlin - a poet playwright and drama teacher and by Jim Burke a poet and a founder member of The Stony Thursday Book, Ireland's longest published poetry journal.Dominic Taylor one of the two original founding members began writing in 2000 and was one of the early organisers of the poetry readings in The White House in Limerick and he still reads there every week. He is currently the event organiser at the LWC and managing editor of their poetry imprint Revival Press. Dermott Petty is a film-maker, originally from Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare he has worked in the US and Ireland. As well as various short films he has produced, directed and wrote a feature film called Man Band. Workshops have been a central activity of the centre since its inception; there are regular poetry and prose workshops plus screenwriting, memoir and life writing. Literary talks are also a regular activity where literary agents, recently London agent Jo Unwin, revealed the secrets of getting published to a large attendance. Also this year multi award nominated crime novelist Wiliam Ryan (originally from Limerick) conducted a workshop at our centre on developing characters for the novel. Our flagship monthly literary gathering ‘On The Nail’ takes place in Chez le Fab arts cafe, Arthur's Quay Park on the first Tuesday of every month and regularly draws a large audience. The gathering comprises of guest readers, a theatre piece and an open-mic for anyone who wishes to read their own work. The LWC is also committed to promoting creativity in music and our 'Acoustic Club' Songwriter Music Sessions take place in Charlie Malone's Bar, Wolfe Tone St., Limerick every Tuesday- Limerick's newest artistic venue, Publishing has also played an important part in the life of the centre with a number of major projects completed such as Kemmy’s Limerick Miscellany and Luaithreach Angela, a translation of Frank McCourt’s Angela’s Ashes into Irish. Earlier this year we publish an anthology on Limerick poet Michael Hartnett. Our long running Revival Literary Journal is now in its 28th issue and continues to gather a reputation both national and internationally, the current editor is Noel King. The centre is also always available to give advice to anyone who wants to self-publish. Our most recent book is The Curious Story of the Limerick by Dr Matthew Potter which tells of the connection between Limerick and the five line Limerick verse. The Centre has published over 60 titles to date. One of the most popular activities of the centre has been the peer critique writers’ groups.Once a month writers gather at the centre to critique one another’s work, the groups are divided into prose/fiction and poetry.The success and popularity of these groups have been very encouraging for aspiring writers and one of our members Pat O’Connor won the Seán Ó Faoláin International Short Story Competition in 2011 and other members have had work published in various journals. In the summer of 2013 we expanded our 'Bring Your Limericks to Limerick' Competition in association with Campus Life Services in UL and this proved hughly successful, our intention is to continue to develop this into a major summer literary festival for Limerick. Next year also we begin a series of public talks, in association with the Department of English and Literature in Mary Immaculate College, on Great Irish Writers, we start Feb 6th with Dr Desmond Swan on Kavanagh and his epic poem The Great Hunger. The series will continue on a bi-monthly basis. As awareness of the Centre grows and the range of activities increases more and more people are beginning to use and appreciate the benefits of having a Writers’ Centre in Limerick.The positive feedback it has generated from people like Mary Shanahan from Abbeyfeale, who commenting on a recent workshop she attended with Fiona Clark Echlin said “Fiona, you were inspirational”, this is typical of the response we receive from aspiring writers. Also guest readers at ‘On The Nail’ have been very appreciative of our efforts as guest Eleanor Ho**er recently commented “Great night at 'On The Nail' readings in Limerick. Huge thanks to Dominic Taylor and Limerick Writers' Centre for making it possible, left you wanting to hear more! The audience was warm and appreciative and yep, bought books too”. The Centre is currently unfunded by the Arts Council or local authority. For anyone wishing to contact the centre the first port of call is our website www.limerickwriterscentre.com or telephone 087 2996409.


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