Faery folklore is woven into the social fabric of rural west Donegal with wondrous tales of magic handed down from generation to generation. For many Donegal people, superstition harking back to Pagan days and their more modern Catholic upbringing often fuse together. They may be reluctant to admit their beliefs but as one native Donegal friend said to me when asked if she believed in faeries, “I can’t say I don’t.” As these beliefs are so ingrained in everyday life, includin

After six years of continued expansion, we are delighted to be named as the only writing retreat among the Top Ten best artistic retreats throughout Europe, including ones in Greece, the Netherlands, England, France, Spain and Portugal. No other artistic retreat in Ireland made it to this highly-exclusive list except Ireland Writing Retreat. The list, with brief descriptions of each retreat ranging from dancing and painting to woodwork and songwriting, was published in Saturd

Summer greetings from the sun-drenched shores of northwest Donegal (yes, believe it or not, northwestern Ireland has been warmer that southern Spain in recent weeks). As we prepare for our last writing week of the year this September (only three places still available so hurry and sign up), we are also making plans well in advance for 2019. With hard work, determination and a bucket-full of enthusiasm, we are delighted to announce that we will host a total of FIVE separate wr

We at ‘Ireland Writing Retreat’ are delighted to announce the winner of our special Spring draw – a terrific traditional music CD by well-known Donegal fiddle player, Theresa Kavanagh, goes to lucky recipient Dina Husseini from Cyprus. Dina, who says she is also known as ‘Dinzy Finzy,’ is an energetic, multi-talented woman of many interests, including hosting her own intriguing video series in which she tackles some of life’s key issues and interviews authors. Born in Nicosia

Interesting experiences fire the imagination, so it is little wonder Danny Morrison has become master of both the written and the spoken word as author of numerous books, including fiction and non-fiction, short stories and plays, as well as being a newspaper editor, insightful radio and television commentator, arts festival chairperson and elected public official. 'Ireland Writing Retreat' is proud to welcome Danny Morrison as one of the guest trainers at this year's event w

We welcome Kerry Booth, a new friend of Ireland Writing Retreat and winner of our January draw – an excellent Irish music CD entitled “The Collection” by Irish musician and song-writer, Donegal-based Pat Gallager. Born and raised in Colorado, 48 year-old Kerry works as a Document Control Analyst for the Regional Transportation District, RTD, a government-assisted mass transit company. He studied at the University of Colorado (Go Buffs!) and "enjoys cycling around town, readin

As it approaches its 40th anniversary in March, ‘Books Ireland’ and its owner Wordwell Ltd. must be heartily congratulated for sheer endurance and persistence. There seems no better time for the national magazine’s continued, generous support of the publishing industry in Ireland than right now and no more appropriate time to announce well-deserved grants to it from both the Arts Council of Ireland and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland than in this, the centenary year of t