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John McGahern Award

As part of the Iron Mountain Literature Festival, Leitrim County Council and the Tyrone Guthrie Centre have developed the John McGahern Award to encourage the development of emerging Irish writers and to pay tribute to the exceptional contribution of John McGahern to literature, and to Leitrim. John McGahern is one of Ireland’s most respected and celebrated authors. His fiction is critically acclaimed internationally, has been translated into many languages and has appeared in many anthologies. He was a member of Aosdána and won numerous awards, including the Irish-American Foundation Award, the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres, and the Prix Etranger Ecureuil. He taught at universities in Ireland, England, the USA and Canada. Amongst Women, which won both the GPA and Irish Times Award, was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and made into a BBC television series.

The recipient of the Award will receive a two-week fully resourced residency at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre and a stipend of €500.  

Who Can Apply

This is an open call to emerging writers of fiction resident in the Republic of Ireland. Applicants must have had some fiction or short stories published in a recognised journal or anthology selected by an established publisher or editor.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted by email only to arts@leitrimcoco.ie and should include:

  1. A cover letter including your personal details and statement of artistic intent, clearly and concisely outlining the project you would like to focus on during your time at Annaghmakerrig.
  2. An up to date Curriculum Vitae (max. two A4 pages).
  3. Clearly labelled samples of recent work (up to three short samples of up to 300 words each.)
  4. Any relevant information on your proposed project such as written excerpts, photos, research information, etc.

Note All attachments should be in .pdf format

Application Deadline

5pm, 31 July, 2016

No late applications will be considered. Applications will be acknowledged by email on receipt.  

Selection Process

Applications go before a selection committee nominated by Leitrim County Council, the Tyrone Guthrie Centre and the John McGahern Estate. The successful applicant will be notified no later than 16 September, 2016. The recipient of the award will be publicly announced on Saturday 8th October 2016 during the Iron Mountain Literature Festival at The Dock, Carrick on Shannon. 

The Arts Council | Funding the Arts The Arts Council of Northern Ireland Res Artists | Worldwide Network of Artist Residencies Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht National Lottery Office of Public Works

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