An Táin Arts Centre’s writer in residency programme is aimed at writers developing scripts for the theatre. The aim of the residency is to assist writers to research and develop new work and give them the time and space to develop their ideas. During the three-month residency, writers are provided with studio space, dramaturgical mentoring and administrative support #antainartists

2022 Residency

Luke Cassidy is a writer from Dundalk. He has contributed a short story to the recent New Island Books anthology of writing from the Irish border, the New Frontier. His debut novel, Iron Annie, is set in Dundalk and was published by Bloomsbury Books in the UK & Ireland in September 2021, and Vintage Books in the USA & Canada in January 2022. Iron Annie is currently in the running for the Desmond Elliot Prize, which the Telegraph newspaper called ‘The UK’s most prestigious award for first-time novelists.’ Luke is currently working on a second novel, a short story collection and a theatre piece set in Monaghan.
Luke is in residence in An Táin Arts Centre during April, May and June 2022. #antainartists

 

 

 

 

 

2021 Residency

Dara McCluskey is an award-winning filmmaker based in Cooley and has a long association with Dundalk, having been Dundalk Arts Office’s artist in residence in 2005. For his 2021 residency with An Tain Arts Centre he will work on a number of screenplays he has been developing in recent years.

Dara has directed several acclaimed documentaries for RTÉ’s prestigious Arts Lives series, including one on Dundalk punk poet Jinx Lennon in 2007 and his documentary ‘Blood Relations’ about Clones novelist Pat McCabe (The Butcher Boy, Breakfast On Pluto) was shortlisted for an IFTA award and won the Celtic Media Festival Best Arts Award in 2009.

Dara has worked extensively with school and community groups and in many experimental forms involving visual artists, musicians, dancers, disabled and marginalised groups. His work has been exhibited in international festivals in Dublin, Cork, Cardiff, Monte Carlo, Milan and New York.

Dara was in residence in An Táin Arts Centre during April, May and June 2021. #antainartists

Click on the images below to learn about Dara’s residency & what happens during a dramaturg session for writing theatre.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 2020 Residency

Conor McGinnity is an accomplished writer and multi-award winning radio producer. He has adapted the acclaimed stageplay Cracks by Quintessence Theatre for radio and developed TV scripts for the BBC. McGinnity is chiefly concerned with exploring the darker side of human nature and writes across multiple media, although his main focus is the stage. Conor McGinnity is An Táin Arts Centre’s inaugural Writer in Residence.

“I plan on using this time to develop new work and hopefully produce something worthy of being performed on stage. I really want to be able to form new ideas, create new contacts in the theatre world here in Ireland and also spend time working with and learning from other professionals. Having time to really focus on my craft and develop myself as a writer and reach a new level as an artist is really valuable to me; this opportunity really comes at a vital time in my career.”

Conor will be in residence in An Táin Arts Centre during July, August and September 2020. #antainartists

Residency Blogposts
July 2020 |Blogpost #1
August 2020 | Blogpost #2
September 2020 | Blogpost #3
October 2020 | Blogpost #4