Writing Workshops in Cork, Ireland

About Cork

Cork (Irish: Corcaigh, from corcach, meaning "marsh") is the second largest city in Ireland. It is the administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in Munster province. Metropolitan Cork has a population of about 400,000.

County Cork is sometimes called "the Rebel County," and residents will refer to the city as the "real capital of Ireland" and themselves as the "Rebels." The county was home to Michael Collins, the famous IRA leader of the early 20th century.

The city is built on the River Lee, with the city centre located on the island created by its two channels. Cork Harbour is one of the world's largest natural harbours, with quays and docks along the banks.

We will be in Cork during the heart of their annual Midsummer Festival, a two-week city-wide celebration of summer. The festival combines the best of local, national, and international arts and culture for a memorable event you won't want to miss.

The Program

The Writing Workshops Abroad have been held every summer for almost 20 years, in such locations as Prague, Madrid, San Miguel, and Edinburgh. We are closely associated with the UNO Creative Writing Workshop, and provide the residency component of the Low Residency MFA in Creative Writing Program - both of which are included in the Huffington Post's "Top 25 Underrated Creative Writing MFA Programs."

While you are welcome to, you do not need to apply to the Low Residency MFA Program to attend the Writing Workshops in Cork. For more information about writing degrees at the University of New Orleans, please visit http://www.uno.edu/writing.

2014 marks our second year in Ireland, and we are excited to be returning to the University College Cork. As usual, we'll feature our writing workshops with exceptional faculty and guests, as well as our famous reading series and excursions to nearby historic sites, like the strategically important military and fishing port of Kinsale and the imposing 17th Century Charles Fort, only an hour bus ride from Cork.

The program includes tuition, accommodation, lunch on class days, opening and closing receptions, weekend excursions, weekly film screenings, readings and performances by students, faculty, and guest writers, study abroad travel insurance, and panel discussions with authors, agents, and publishers to explore the business side of writing.

Accommodation

Accommodation is provided in the form of apartment-style housing, courtesy of UCC Campus Accommodation. We will be staying in University Hall on the banks of the River Lee, a short walk from campus and with easy access to public transportation. Each apartment features private bedrooms with bed, bathroom, desk, and storage space. Kitchens and living areas areshared between approximately four program participants. The complex also includes self-service laundry facilities, a copy room, and on-site residential security. Upon arrival in Cork, transportation to the apartments is available via taxi, city bus, and Aircoach. More information can be found on the UCC website.

Excursions

While we are still working on the specifics of our 2014 excursions, we will definitely revisit our popular County Cork and Dublin trips. Our first excursion will be a full day trip of the area surrounding the City of Cork, including Cobh, Blarney, and Kinsale. We'll depart from University Hall on the morning of June 28, and return later that evening.

Our second excursion will be a weekend trip to the Irish capital of Dublin. We'll depart from University Hall on the morning of July 4, and return on the evening of July 6. We'll stay in campus apartments at University College Dublin, with easy access to the city centre. In addition to course- and program-specific activities, there will be plenty of time to explore the Guinness brewery, Trinity College, the James Joyce House, the Irish writer's museum, and many of the other attractions in one of the world's great literary and cultural centers.

We're working to finalize the details for our optional third excursion to West Cork and County Kerry.

Please visit the Excursions page for more information.

Courses

Participants are eligible to enroll in up to six course credits for the basic cost of the program, or nine credits for an additional fee. Students in degree programs at other institutions should consult their advisors about the applicability of these courses to their curricula.

Our 2014 course listing:

Writing & Publishing Forum

The Writing & Publishing Forum is an opportunity for novice writers, MFA graduates, and approved non-MFA students to revise and prepare their work to submit for publication. Participants will have a chance to discuss publication questions and have their manuscript reviewed by our award-winning writing faculty. Within the confines of our supportive group environment, our writers have the unique opportunity to read and respond to work-in-progress, write together with optional creative prompts, and expand their network of working professionals in the industry. The Forum also includes agent consultations, publishing panels, and seminars led by published authors, agents, and publishers. Participants are invited to share their work with the larger program in the Reading Series, and to attend all program events.

Please check out our expanded and improved Writing & Publishing Forum for more information!