Bestselling author Felicity Hayes-McCoy will lead this workshop for writers of all levels of experience, including those for whom writing is a recent endeavour. It explores choices involved in matching ideas to forms — long, short and unexpected — and, prompted by its Gaeltacht setting, touches on storytelling in both oral and written traditions.
Ranging from song lyrics, folktales and myth, through short stories to novels and adaptations, the workshop will break down and explore the basics of storytelling, and offer tried and tested hacks for coping with writers’ blocks, cul-de-sacs, despair and procrastination. Designed to spark creative energy, it will focus on tools, not rules, and on identifying entry-points to empowerment and enjoyment.
An exploration of expectations, constraints, fears, aspirations, and assumptions when sitting down to write, the day will focus on the reasons for choosing particular forms to express ideas and shape stories effectively. It will include practical demonstration of Felicity’s own approach to storytelling across differing genres and media, with time for questions and appraisal. There will be optional writing exercises, but participants who prefer just to listen and watch will be equally welcome.
Workshop leader
USA Today bestselling Irish novelist Felicity Hayes-McCoy’s standalone novel ONCE A YEAR will be published by Hachette Ireland in October 2025. She has written for television, radio, music theatre and digital media. Her “Finfarran” series of novels, set in a fictional rural Irish community, has been published in eight languages. She lives in Corca Dhuibhne and London.
Cost €80 + Eventbrite fee
Saturday November 22 10am - 4pm
After booking your course, we will email you a confirmation of your place.
Cancellation/Refund Policy
You are entitled to a refund within one week of your payment, (less any Eventbrite fees) provided that the workshop has not already started.
We cannot refund fees in respect of cancellation after this time. We cannot offer partial refunds to students who do not finish the workshop.
