Literature

Literature is a vital part of people’s lives in Ireland: books, stories, language and reading are essential to our culture and society.

We support organisations and activities that maintain and develop Ireland’s world-famous literary landscape. We invest in writers at all stages of their careers, and we support literary publishers and journals that platform new or experimental voices.

Dublin Book Festival at The Printworks, Dublin Castle 2023. Photo: Ger Holland.

How we develop literature

We work to create the best environment for writers to create their best work. We work to build opportunities for readers to engage with literature, both from Ireland and around the world.

Learn more about how we develop literature

Laureate na nÓg Patricia Forde stands on a long bridge in front of a cliff face with other writers. They all smile and pose for the viewer wearing yellow plastic jackets and two of them hold a directional sign reading WHOLE WILD WORLD.

The Whole Wild World tour reaches Mizen Head following a 2 week cultural roadshow by Laureate na nÓg Patricia Forde. Photo: Ger McCarthy.

Partnerships and schemes

The Laureate for Irish Fiction

Honouring an established Irish writer of fiction and celebrating the contribution of fiction writers to Ireland’s artistic and cultural life.

The Ireland Chair of Poetry

A partnership which honours the exceptional and world-renowned contribution of Irish poets to international literature.

Laureate na nÓg

Ireland’s Children’s Literature Laureate celebrates children’s literature and its special contribution to cultural life in Ireland.

Third-level Writer Residencies and Fellowships

Writers develop their work in a position of relative financial stability, while students get to further their creative skills with the support of a professional writer.

Writers in Schools Scheme

An Initiative which co-funds and promotes visits by writers and storytellers to primary and post-primary schools all over Ireland.

Publications

View the latest research and reports.

Latest funding opportunities for literature

View all funding opportunities

Individual

Applications open Closing: 24 Apr

Agility Award

The Agility Award supports individual professional artists and arts practitioners who have not been previously funded as an individual by the Arts Council. It focuses on enabling artists to develop their practice, develop their work and develop their skills.

Individual & Organisation

Applications open Closing: 8 May

Touring of Work Scheme 2026 – Round 1

The Touring of Work Scheme supports the touring of work across Ireland by individual artists and organisations. It focuses on making great art from different artforms available to more people throughout the country.

Organisation

Opening soon Opening: 29 Apr

Festivals Investment Scheme – Round 1

The Festivals Investment Scheme supports small-to-mid-scale festivals to deliver high-quality arts experiences for audiences. It focuses on programmes engaged with, and relevant to, local communities or communities of interest.

Individual

Opening soon Opening: 20 May

Literature Bursary Award: English Language – Round 2

The Bursary Award supports individual artists to develop their artistic practice. It focuses on providing artists with the time and resources they need to think, research, reflect, and deeply engage with their artistic practice.

Spotlights

Writers and illustrators we have supported share how their funding made a difference to their artistic careers.

Lisa McInerney

Writer Lisa McInerney received a Bursary Award to work on her second novel The Blood Miracles. We talk to Lisa about the impact the Bursary Award has had on her…

P.J. Lynch

Children's illustrator and writer P.J. Lynch received a Bursary Award to work on his book The Boy Who Fell Off The Mayflower. We talk to P.J. about the impact the Bursary…

Doireann Ní Ghríofa

Doireann Ní Ghríofa is a writer of both prose and poetry who writes in Irish and English. We talk to Doireann about the impact the Bursary Award has had on her…

Martin Dyar

Poet Martin Dyar received a Bursary Award to work on his debut collection, Maiden Names. We talk to Martin about the impact the Bursary Award has had on his practice.

Colin Barrett

Short story writer and novelist Colin Barrett received Bursary Awards to work on his first collection Young Skins. We talk to Colin about the impact the Bursary Award has had…

Caitriona Lally

Novelist Caitriona Lally received a Bursary Award to work on her second novel, following her debut Eggshells. We talk to Caitriona about the impact the Bursary Award has had on…

Alan Early

Author of the Arthur Quinn trilogy, Alan Early received a bursary to focus on creating a new series. We talk to Alan about the impact the Bursary Award has had…

Mary Costello

Writer Mary Costello received Bursary Awards in 2011 and 2013. We talk to Mary about the impact the Bursary Award has had on her practice.

Our Literature team

Sarah Bannan

Head of Literature

Aletta Meijer

Literature Assistant

Audrey Keane

Literature Support Manager

Declan Hughes

Literature Adviser

Steffi Kelly

Literature Officer

Get in touch

Contact our team with your questions about literature.

literature@artscouncil.ie
+353 1 6180213