Arts Council Writer in Residence at Maynooth University (Ireland)

Deadline: 01-Oct-2026

The Writer in Residence programme at Maynooth University is inviting applications from mid-career and established writers for a residency during the calendar year 2027. Supported by the Arts Council Ireland and Maynooth University, the programme aims to support creative practice while enriching the university’s literary and creative writing environment. The residency provides an award of €30,000, with €20,000 contributed by the Arts Council and €10,000 by Maynooth University. The payment is made directly to the selected writer in two instalments. The university will also provide a dedicated workspace and administrative support throughout the residency. The residency takes place in two phases. From January to June 2027, the writer will primarily focus on their own creative work. From July onwards, the writer will engage with students and staff through teaching, workshops, mentoring, public events, or collaborative activities. Contact time will be limited to four hours per week, and the resident will not be required to deliver core curriculum.

About the Writer in Residence Programme

The Writer in Residence programme at Maynooth University is designed to provide a professional environment where an established or mid-career writer can develop their creative practice while contributing to the university’s literary community. The residency is hosted within the Department of English and provides opportunities for the selected writer to interact with the wider university community. The programme combines dedicated time for creative work with opportunities to share knowledge and experience with students, staff, and other members of the university. Residency Period The residency covers the calendar year 2027 and is divided into two main phases.

January to June 2027: Creative Practice

During the first six months, the resident writer will primarily focus on their own creative work. This phase provides dedicated time for the writer to develop their practice and work on their creative projects without a requirement to deliver regular teaching or university activities.

July to December 2027: University Engagement

From July onwards, the writer will engage with students and staff at Maynooth University.

Possible activities include:

- Teaching. - Creative writing workshops. - Mentoring. - Public events. - Literary activities. - Collaborations with other university departments or groups. The exact engagement programme will be developed by the resident writer in consultation with university faculty. Contact Time and Teaching Requirements The engagement component is designed to provide meaningful interaction with the university community without turning the residency into a full-time teaching position. Contact time will be capped at four hours per week. The resident writer will also not be required to deliver core curriculum. This structure allows the selected writer to contribute their expertise while retaining significant time for their own creative practice. Residency Award The total award for the 2027 residency is €30,000.

The funding is jointly provided by:

- €20,000 from the Arts Council. - €10,000 from Maynooth University. The €30,000 award will be paid directly to the selected writer in two instalments. In addition to the financial award, Maynooth University will provide: - A dedicated workspace. - Administrative support for the duration of the residency. These resources are intended to help the resident writer develop their creative work and participate effectively in the university community. Who Can Apply? The residency is intended for mid-career and established writers. Applicants must meet the following key requirements: - Be resident in the Republic of Ireland. - Have a publishing track record. - Be working in an eligible literary field. - Meet the Arts Council’s definition of a mid-career or established writer.

Eligible areas include:

- Prose fiction. - Poetry. - Creative non-fiction. - Graphic novels. - Children’s fiction. - Children’s poetry. Applicants should be able to demonstrate an established body of published work appropriate to their literary practice. Publishing Track Record A publishing track record is an important eligibility requirement. Applicants should demonstrate that they have published work in one or more of the literary forms supported by the residency. The programme is therefore aimed at writers with an established professional record rather than applicants at the very beginning of their writing careers. Career Stage Requirement Applicants must be considered mid-career or established writers according to the Arts Council’s definition. Writers should ensure that their professional experience and publishing record demonstrate the required level of career development. The residency is intended to support writers who already have a significant body of professional literary work and are positioned to contribute to the university’s creative writing environment. Diversity and Representation The programme encourages applications from writers representing the diversity of Irish society. Applicants from a wide range of backgrounds are encouraged to consider the opportunity, provided they meet the programme’s eligibility requirements. The emphasis on diversity reflects the programme’s aim of enriching the literary environment at Maynooth University with a broad range of perspectives and creative experiences. Who Is Not Eligible? Certain applicants are specifically excluded from the programme.

Applicants are not eligible if they:

- Undertook an Arts Council/university residency in 2026. - Work exclusively as playwrights. Writers who have completed a relevant Arts Council/university residency in 2026 should therefore not apply for the 2027 opportunity. Similarly, the programme does not support writers whose practice is exclusively focused on playwriting. What Is the Purpose of the Residency? The programme has two connected objectives. First, it provides a professi