Brewery Lane Writers' Weekend

17/01/2024

This is the time of year when, for the past decade, I would normally be encouraging writers to take advantage of an early bird offer for the annual Brewery Lane Writers' Weekend. You may have noticed that this isn't happening this year.

This unique event, with its focus on writing craft and practice, has had ten wonderful years and for me it's now time to move on.

There are so many to thank, so many who have made it possible over the decade. I will start with the late John Moat, who inspired me with his vision for Arvon, and who encouraged me to follow my hunches on this. The Story House Ireland followed, with the one and only, the amazing Nollaig Gallen (Brennan), and the Brewery Lane Writers' W/E has been a mini version of that - a taught residential writing experience open to anyone who wished to write.

We have had the input of some of Ireland's top writers each year in the tearoom of Brewery Lane Theatre, it's quite a list, and I know everyone who has been part of it will attest to the special nature of the experience.

None of this could have happened for over a decade without a lot of background support, and I know I will capture just a representative fragment here: all the team at Brewery Lane Theatre, not least for the delicious lunches prepared each year - take a bow Raika, Breda, Ann and Angelina; Linda Fahy who provided tutorial space for one to one meetings in the stunning upstairs art gallery in The Tudor Artisan Hub and who has always provided support in a myriad of ways and continues to be a constant sounding board for ideas; the Tipperary Arts Office for funding support of the event; the staff and management of the The Carraig Hotel for looking after all the visiting writers and participants so well; the musicians in various country pubs who renewed our energies on those Saturday night sessions; the cadre of professional writers who came and delivered wholeheartedly each year; and not least the participants who carved out time for themselves and their writing, many who came annually. It is always a joy to me to witness people taking up their creative space. A special thanks to poet Mark Roper for his quiet but supportive presence in the wings. Míle buíochas go léir - heartfelt thanks to you all.

Linda Fahy surprised me at Christmas with a framed montage (below) of the professional writers who came year on year to teach on the Writers' Weekend. It is a really lovely memento to have and I was very touched by it - thank you so much Linda, you are always full of surprises, and continued success to you in your own creative endeavours ongoing at The Tudor Artisan Hub.

20/04/2023

A lovely piece by Aileen Hahesy on the Brewery Lane Writers' Weekend 10th anniversary event in this week's Nationalist Newspaper Lovely photos too by Anne Marie Magorrian.

16/04/2023

The 2023 Writers’ W/E has been an amazing experience. ‘Voice, Vision and Values’ with Grace Wells and Cathy Fitzgerald. Haumea Ecoversity has set a high bar, appropriately for this 10th anniversary event.

Thanks to the many who helped to make the experience so special for everyone, esp the team at Brewery Lane Theatre and Linda Fahy of the Tudor Artisan Hub. To the Carraig Hotel for looking after those who stayed there, to the Junction Bar for Sunday lunch and to Kennedy’s pub Rathgormack and the musicians there who played with such exuberance and joy. Just brilliant!

14/04/2023

Day 1 of the 2023 Brewery Lane Writers' Weekend is well underway. The morning’s stimulation workshop with Grace Wells and Cathy Fitzgerald, then a fab lunch (thanks to Angelina, Raika and Breda) to nourish everyone’s creative energies.

This afternoon is writing time in the tearoom, with optional meandering in the bright sunshine and one to one meetings in the penthouse at The Tudor Artisan Hub.
Tonight we all gather for . It’s a busy and fab start.

14/04/2023

The sun is shining and it’s a really lovely morning to welcome the participants and the facilitators Grace Wells and Cathy Fitzgerald. Haumea Ecoversity to Brewery Lane Theatre and to Carrick-on-Suir and the lovely Suir Valley.

What a special start to this, the 10th anniversary of this three day event.

12/04/2023

UPDATE: thanks to everyone who shared and reached out about the place on the Writers' W/E that became available yesterday afternoon.

I'm delighted to share that the place has been snapped up and it's full steam ahead for twelve writers from Friday. Exciting!

11/04/2023

NEWSFLASH! Due to a cancellation this afternoon one place has now become available on the Brewery Lane Writers' Weekend.

This is a very special opportunity to work with poet Grace Wells and eco-artist Cathy Fitzgerald. Haumea Ecoversity and a small group of twelve writers over three days.

We start on Friday, 14th at 10am in the intimate setting of Brewery Lane Theatre and finish on Sunday afternoon, the 16th. The fee is €173.

Just one place... when it's gone it's gone!

If you are interested please email margaretwritingATgmail.com for details.

04/04/2023

We are very excited to be nearing the 2023 Brewery Lane Writers' Weekend and what a special one it is shaping up to be!

This is the 10th anniversary of this annual event, how time flies, and as in every year since we began two of the best of Ireland's writers and creatives will again take up residence in Brewery Lane Theatre.

This year is no exception as we welcome poet Grace Wells (no stranger to Tipperary) and Cathy Fitzgerald plus the twelve participants from many parts of Ireland who will work and create together over the weekend of 14th to 16th April.

The event has been fully booked since shortly after booking opened. Writers know how special it is to get this time and space for creative work and reflection, in the stimulating company of other writers.

With a focus on 'Voice, Vision and Values' poet Grace Wells and Ecological artist-educator-researcher, Cathy Fitzgerald will engage with 12 writers in a stimulating introduction to eco-literacy and an eco-arts writing practice. (Read more below)

If you don't already know the work of Grace Wells I recommend you check out her most recent collection, 'The Church of the Love of the World', and her YouTube channel for her gorgeous video poems. You can find out more about Cathy Fitzgerald's innovative and groundbreaking work at Cathy Fitzgerald. Haumea Ecoversity

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VOICE, VISION AND VALUES
Much of our most meaningful creative work flows when we are aligned with our authentic voice, vision and values. From a deep central core within ourselves, we’re able to creatively respond with integrity and authority to the challenging world around us. Terry Tempest Williams has written, ‘we know in our bones that the world is broken,’ but for many of us it’s not enough to stand idly by—even though we may not yet know just how we’d like to respond to what’s going on. At this year’s Brewery Lane Writers’ Weekend, eco-creatives Cathy Fitzgerald and Grace Wells will be offering an introduction to ecoliteracy and an eco-arts writing practice. We’ll be exploring how we can best participate in the ecology of life at this challenging time, and offering some nourishing and nurturing meditative practices that will help to support our creativity and the wider world. Inspired by the hopeful tradition of the Earth Charter, the three days of workshops, readings, meditative practices and one-to-one mentoring sessions, will offer spaces for you to align to your own voice, vision and values as you unfold a creative way forward. Whether you’re prompted to set quiet whispers onto the tides, or to take daring artistic and environmental actions, this course will offer a nurturing foundation for your next steps.

04/02/2023

Attentions writers!! The closing date for Bursary applications for the 2023 Brewery Lane Writers' Weekend is Tuesday next, 7th February. See full details below - please share.

Much of our most meaningful creative work flows when we are aligned with our authentic voice, vision and values. From a deep central core within ourselves, we’re able to creatively respond with integrity and authority to the challenging world around us. Terry Tempest Williams has written, ‘we kn...

26/01/2023

A reminder that there are two (2) bursaries available for the 2023 Brewery Lane Writers' Weekend, with writers Grace Wells and Cathy Fitzgerald. Haumea Ecoversity.

This event is scheduled for Friday, 14th April to Sunday, 16th April. These bursaries are an exciting opportunity for writers who may not, for whatever reason, be currently in a position to independently fund themselves to attend.

The application process is simple, see below, and the deadline is midnight on 7th February.