About the North-West Dance Residency Programme

The purpose of the North-West Dance Residency Programme is to build and create a supportive framework for dance in the north-west region, through provision of space, a financial stipend and access to practical supports such as production advice, accessing funding streams and mentoring.

This programme is made possible through partnership with a number of local authority arts offices in Galway (city & county), Roscommon and Mayo; and a number of venues: Áras Éanna (Inis Oirr), An Grianán (Letterkenny), Roscommon Arts Centre and Ballina Arts Centre. As the main resource for professional dance in the North West region, Galway Dance manages all aspects of this programme and is supported by the Arts Council of Ireland.

In 2026 the partners are offering: 

• Rehearsal/Studio Space for two weeks in one of the partner locations.
• Artist Fee of €1500
• Travel/Accommodation Stipend €250
• Artists will be within a supportive framework provided by the partners. We can offer showings of work, workshop facilitation, open rehearsals, assistance with funding applications and networking opportunities for artists.
• Galway Dance will provide administrative, production, networking and mentoring support as required throughout this residency and will be the main point of contact for artists throughout.

• If successful, the residency will be awarded for ONE location and may be for first or second preference. Consider and detail feasibility when selecting locations, as we are aware that accommodation is not included in this opportunity.

Residency locations & availability:

• 2 weeks in Galway city (flexible)
• 2 weeks at Áras Éanna (December 2026)
• 2 weeks at Ballina Arts Centre (flexible)
• 2 weeks in Roscommon Arts Centre  (dates btw June 16^th – July 17^th 2026)
• 2 weeks at an Grianán, Letterkenny (flexible)

Who are we looking for?

• We are looking for professional or pre-professional dance artists, at all stages of their career or practice. Especially from the locations of our partners.
• The partners welcome applications from underrepresented groups.

• We are also aware of the barriers to accepting residency placements for many artists who have other responsibilities, such as caring and/or other employment obligations. To this end, we can offer some of the residencies non-consecutively, and/or over weekends and/or over a longer time period.

Application Process:

• We have changed the application process this year and are asking you to film yourself answering the questions 1-4 on the Google Form. Nothing fancy, just you talking to the camera/mobile phone telling us your answers. Max amount length of
• The application form via Google Forms can be found here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSctOL6qyOF6PCwQibtamDk8kJDcZt9sOzLyKQS-CoDp1siOcg/viewform?usp=publish-editor 
• Closing Date for applications: 5pm Friday March 27th, 2026
• Any queries can be addressed to Galway Dance Director Kristyn Fontanella at contact@galwaydance.ie
• Successful applicants will be informed by April 3rd, 2026.

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The opportunity is available to writers of:

Fiction

Creative non-fiction

Children’s / Young Adult fiction

Poetry

Full details on eligibility and how to apply can be found here:  National Mentoring Programme – Irish Writers Centre : Irish Writers Centre

Deadline for applications is 5pm on Friday 16th January.

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Irish Writers Centre Opens Applications for National Mentoring Programme 2026.

Island-wide initiative pairs emerging writers with leading Irish authors. This highly regarded scheme offers writers across the island of Ireland the opportunity to receive sustained creative and professional support from an established Irish writer of their choosing. Now entering its ninth year, the programme has played a transformative role in the development of many emerging voices. Past participants include acclaimed authors such as Doireann Ní Ghríofa, Nidhi Zak/Aria Eipe, Fíona Scarlett, Will Keohane and Victoria Kennefick, among many others whose work reflects the rich diversity of contemporary Irish writing.

Mags McLaughlin, CEO of the Irish Writers Centre, added: “We are tremendously proud of the difference the National Mentoring Programme has made to the writing careers of participants. Those who have taken part have grown in confidence, found sounding boards for their ideas, and honed their craft under expert guidance. We are excited to see this year’s applications and to help foster meaningful creative partnerships between mentees and mentors.”

Selected mentees for the 2026 cycle will be announced in March 2026. This initiative is supported by Roscommon Arts Centre

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In 2026, we are proud to offer two show development residencies, supporting two companies to either finish creating or to remount an existing show for an indoor stage.

Suitable for companies or artists who would like time to remount a piece of work or develop existing work further with support of a residency time and space in MC and time to work on technical aspects within the RAC’s studio/workshops space and auditorium.

Suitable for artists/companies in the process of creating or remounting an indoor show for theatres/arts centres, open to circus, dance, movement, theatre or multidisciplinary art-forms. Please note there is the option of an aerial tripod rig of 6m in Motion Chapel, and rigging available in Roscommon Arts Centre’s auditorium.

For further information on the residencies check out Show Development Residency – Motion Chapel

APPLICATION DEADLINE IS JANUARY 30th

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Residency 1. SEED

The Seed Residency will offer an opportunity to an artist to protect time and space to think of a seed of an idea and who would benefit from time and space in a studio/workshop setting with access to mentored support and resources. This residency is open to all arts forms.

Residency 2. Visual Arts studio time with exhibition

This new residency offers a visual artist studio time in 2026, resulting in an exhibition as part of the RAC’s Visual Arts Programme 2027.

Residency details:

Duration: 2 months

Period: February 2026 – January 2027

Artist Fee: €6,000 paid in three instalments

Mentor Budget: €750

Stipend: up to €135 per week (8 weeks) to cover subsistence, travel and accommodation for artists from outside Roscommon.

A dedicated studio space for the duration of the residency at RAC

Access to human and physical resources at RAC.

A minimum of four weeks of the residency must be spent on site at RAC.

Please Note:

Residencies do not provide living accommodation and successful applicants are responsible for finding their own accommodation. There is a stipend available to assist with this.

All residencies are in line with our Arts Centre for All Policy.

The AIR Programme is supported by the Arts Council of Ireland.

APPLICATION DEADLINE 4PM THURSDAY 29th JANUARY

APPLY FOR AIR 2026 HERE

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Bianca Fachel is a Brazilian artist based in Ireland and owner of Birdland Music Studio, who is a versatile force in music, film, and entrepreneurship. Pioneering the fusion of music with the regenerative economy, she focuses on original compositions, collaborations, and educational programs, solidifying her impact in the creative sphere.

Pursuing her passion for music, Bianca studied Sound Engineering and Music Festival Management at Sound Training College in Dublin and attended a songwriting course at Berklee College of Music. Her musical compositions blend influences from Samba, Bossa Nova, MPB, Brazilian Soul Music, Tropicália, Folk, Jazz, African rhythms, and Irish Traditional Music, creating a distinctive and rich style.

As a passionate educator and tutor, Bianca shares her expertise in songwriting and music production through workshops. Her workshops and mentoring aim to empower participants by helping them unlock their creative potential, explore sustainability in the arts, and develop skills in songwriting, music arrangement, production and recording techniques.

Diarmuid Woods is a Director, Actor, and Drama Facilitator with a deep passion for dynamic physical and absurd theatre. With training in Theatre Design and Directing from IT Sligo, and further development through international programs such as Nadica Krajina Harmonie in Slovakia and the YTI Artstrain course, Diarmuid has honed their skills both locally and abroad. Their experience includes roles as Assistant Set Designer and Assistant Stage Manager at the National Theatre of Ireland.

Diarmuid was appointed as the General Manager of Dublin Theatre Ireland in May 2025 and was also Artistic Director of Sligo Youth Theatre. Influenced by recent training with Arthaus Berlin and the methodologies of Jacques Lecoq, Diarmuid’s work focuses on the ensemble’s power, scenography, and exploring societal themes to uncover profound theatrical truths and exploring liminal spaces. He believes in the power of play and collective exploration to unlock new perspectives and connect participants with their own creativity and with each other.

Polina Shapkina is a Russian born, Dublin reared aerialist, fire performer and contemporary circus artist, full-time emerging circus artist/performer and director. Polina’s mission is connecting to audiences by blending aerial & fire performance with experimental & live music.

A thread in Polina’s work is an exploration of cultural identity, archetypes, mythology & existentialism. Polina has co-created 4 shows to date with the company Erebidae Circus as well as a multitude of cross disciplinary solo works presented across Ireland, India and Thailand and has worked with with Fidget Feet Aerial Dance& Broken Theatre.

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Local writer, Emma Harney, has been chosen for the Irish Writers Centre’s prestigious National Mentoring Programme 2025, following an exceptional response to this year’s nationwide callout, which attracted 354 applicants. Each selected writer  will receive one-to-one mentoring from an established writer, offering invaluable creative and professional guidance over the coming months.

Roscommon Arts Centre funds the mentorship to guarantee that the chosen awardee receives this potentially career-changing support free of charge. The 2025 programme is co-funded by a remarkable collective of county arts offices, libraries, arts centres, and other cultural bodies across Ireland, ensuring that local talent from diverse counties is identified and nurtured.

Bio

Emma Harney is a Welsh born writer living in County Roscommon. Her writing style is dark and contemporary with an undercurrent of gothic horror and surrealism. She enjoys creating characters who exist on the fringes of society. Set in both Ireland and Wales, her stories often explore themes of social class and isolation. Her work is influenced by the writers Mariana Enriquez, Eliza Clark and Stephen King, to name a few. She is working on a collection of short stories, as well as her first novel.

‘’Being granted a place on this prestigious programme is a huge boost to my confidence as an emerging writer. Being a part of the programme will provide me with a unique and significant opportunity to share my work with a wider audience. I can’t wait to get started!’’

Instagram: @emma_harney_writer

Now in its eighth year, the National Mentoring Programme (NMP) has become one of the most significant supports for emerging and mid-career writers across Ireland. Run by the Irish Writers Centre – the country’s leading organisation for writer development – the initiative plays a crucial role in shaping Ireland’s literary landscape by nurturing talent at pivotal stages in a writer’s journey.

Since its founding in 1991, the Irish Writers Centre’s mission has been to support the life of the writer – those whose ideas and words illuminate and influence the culture around us.

The impact of the National Mentoring Programme is evident in the success of its alumni, many of whom have gone on to be published and celebrated widely. Past mentees include Doireann Ní Ghríofa, Nidhi Zak/Aria Eipe, Fíona Scarlett, Will Keohane and Victoria Kennefick – all of whom are now recognised names in Irish writing.

‘’We are thrilled to fund Emma’s mentorship & are excited to see what the future holds for this promising writer. We’ve no doubt that collaborating with an established writer will assist her on her journey to share her work with a wider audience.’’

For more information about the Irish Writers Centre’s National Mentoring Programme, visit irishwriterscentre.ie.

Website: irishwriterscentre.ie

X: @IrishWritersCtr

Instagram: @IrishWritersCentre

Facebook: @IrishWritersCtr

YouTube: youtube.com/IrishWritersCentre

www.irishwriterscentre.ie

For all media enquiries, interviews or imagery, please contact:

Damien Donnelly, Head of Programming T : +353 1 872 1302 E : nmp@irishwriterscentre.ie

AnnMarie Sheehan, Aspire PR & Marketing T :  +353 87 298 5569 E : annmarie@aspire-pr.com

Editor’s Notes

About the Irish Writers Centre

Founded in 1991, the Irish Writers Centre is Ireland’s leading resource and development organisation for writers. Its vision is to support the life of the writer, recognising the impact writers have in illuminating society with their ideas and words.

Through its Creative Writing Academy, the Centre delivers a year-round programme of over 150 creative writing courses, masterclasses and seminars, both online and in person. It also runs a National Mentoring Programme and administers a range of development opportunities for writers, including residencies, competitions and bursaries.

Operating on an all-island basis, the Irish Writers Centre is a membership organisation and a registered charity.

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In 2021 this will inlcude 3 planned productions: “Groove”, “I Like to Move it Move it” and with the support of the Creative Ireland Roscommon programme “My Smile has Fallen Down” which was originally conceived as part of a short residency at Roscommon Arts Centre by Anna Newell and Touched Theatre.

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