Creative Writing Workshops are at the heart of our Festival

The joint celebration of English, Irish and Ulster Scots writing makes our Literary Festival unique. Our special guests will lead workshops in each of these languages, with a special online event for children. Come and join us, Ballybofey-Stranorlar, Co Donegal. 7th-9th October

ENGLISH LANGUAGE CREATIVE WRITING

***Averil Meehan*** - poet and dramatist leads our English Language creative writing workshop suitable for beginners and those who wish to reconnect with their creativity. Averil Meehan writes radio drama, poetry and fiction. Her radio play “A Family Christmas” was broadcast twice by RTE. Her poetry collection, “Until Stones Blossom” is published by Summer Palace Press. Her writing has been published in literary journals and placed in various writing competitions

IRISH LANGUAGE CREATIVE WRITING

***Dubhán Ó Longáin*** - poet and Irish language teacher leads a workshop where poetry and Irish-language writing will be discussed. We will look at the theories around poetry and how Irish-language poets and writers viewed these theories. Irish-language poetry from the last century onwards will be discussed as well as how to compose and publish Irish-language poetry (or any form of writing). Participants will have a chance to compose their own piece of work based on prompts given on the day.

ULSTER SCOTS CREATIVE WRITING

We are delighted to welcome ***Angeline King***, Writer in Residence of Ulster University, to deliver this interactive introduction to writing in Ulster dialect considering Scots, Ulster Scots and Ulster English

Angeline King is the author of three novels, 'Dusty Bluebells' (2020), 'Snugville Street' (2015) and 'A Belfast Tale' (2016). She was selected as one of Libraries NI three emerging authors in 2017 and has received two Arts Council of Northern Ireland awards. Angeline worked in international business for 20 years and lives in her beloved hometown, Larne, with her husband and children. She has a BA Hons in French and Modern History from Queens University Belfast, and an MA in Applied Languages & Business from Ulster University

CHILDREN'S CREATIVE WRITING

We welcome poet ***Denise Blake*** to lead an online workshop to inspire young writers.

Denise Blake was born in Ohio, USA in 1958 and came to live in Letterkenny, Co. Donegal in 1969. Her first two poetry collections, Take a Deep Breath and How to Spin Without Getting Dizzy are published by Summer Palace Press and her most recent collection Invocation is published by Revival Press. Denise is a regular contributor to Sunday Miscellany RTE Radio 1. She facilitates Creative Writing Workshops with adults and also in schools through Poetry Ireland Writers in Schools.

Denise’s workshop will be recorded and available online. You will be able to stop and start the video to suit the activities and time that you have available.

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