Edna O’Brien Young Writers Award

The Edna O’Brien Young Writers Award is an annual, week-long immersive residency for 15 enthusiastic teenage writers from across Ireland. Students stay in UCD residences, and work throughout the week at the museum with a notable writer/mentor, meeting established writers, publishers and literary academics. The programme culminates in the publishing of an anthology of the student work from the week.

The Edna O’Brien Young Writers Award welcomes applications from young writers from all over Ireland and encourages applications from a diversity of ethnic and/or cultural groups including, but not limited to, Asian, Black, Traveller and minority ethnic, refugees, people with disabilities, working-class and LGBTQI+.

By applying, you will be in with a chance to secure a FREE place on a five-day creative writing retreat during the summer in Dublin alongside other teenagers. There are 15 places up for the taking! As mentioned before, you will be mentored by an outstanding writer and get published! You will also have the opportunity to meet with publishers, authors, literature adcademics and fellow writing enthusiasts.

We are not looking for polished, finished pieces of writing. Or writers with large amounts of experience. We are interested in hearing about you, your passion and your creativity. ALL writers are welcome – we want to hear from you!

The Edna O’Brien Young Writers Award is made possible with the generous support of Suzanne Lopez and the Arts Council Young Ensembles Scheme.

Important Dates

All of the important dates (opening and closing dates for applications, notification dates, etc.) for the 2025 version will be announced soon.

The Edna O’Brien Young Writers Award is governed by MoLI’s Child Protection Policy.