As part of our ongoing mission to support artists at every stage of their creative journey, we are proud to run an annual mentorship programme that pairs one emerging or reengaging artist with a leading practitioner in their chosen discipline. This initiative is designed to foster artistic growth, provide invaluable guidance, and build meaningful connections within the arts community. In this spirit, we are delighted to introduce this year’s mentee and share their story.
Angela Hanna is a dyslexic writer currently living in Dundalk, Co. Louth. Having previously worked as a costume technician she decided in her thirties to overcome her fear of the written word and began her journey into story telling. Although she focuses mostly on writing YA fiction, her passion for theatre never left, and in 2025 with the support of An Táin Arts Centre, she began writing her first playscript under the mentorship of Colm Maher.
Colm is an award-winning playwright and technical manager of Bewley’s Café Theatre, Dublin. His love of theatre making is infectious and his support and mentorship will be invaluable to Angela at this stage of her development.
Angela is also currently working with the local amateur drama group Castle Players, to bring her adaptation of James Joyce’s short story The Dead to the An Táin stage in 2025.
Her debut novel is due for release by O’Brien Press in 2026.