THE JOHN MCGAHERN AWARD

Deadline for applications: Midnight Tuesday 31 July, 2018

As part of the Iron Mountain Literature Festival, Leitrim County Council and the Tyrone Guthrie Centre with the support of the McGahern Estate developed the John McGahern Award to encourage the development of emerging Irish writers and to pay tribute to the exceptional contribution of John McGahern to literature, and to Leitrim.

John McGahern is one of Ireland’s most respected and celebrated authors. His fiction is critically acclaimed internationally, has been translated into many languages and has appeared in many anthologies. He was a member of Aosdána and won numerous awards, including the Irish-American Foundation Award, the Chevalier des Arts et des Lettres, and the Prix Etranger Ecureuil. He taught at universities in Ireland, England, the USA and Canada. Amongst Women, which won both the GPA and Irish Times Award, was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and made into a BBC television series.

The recipient of the Award receives a two-week fully resourced residency at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre and a stipend of €1,000.

Who Can Apply:

This is an open call to writers of fiction resident in the Republic of Ireland. Applicants must have had their work published by a recognised publisher or have had some fiction or short stories published in a recognised journal or anthology selected by an established publisher or editor.

How to Apply:

Applications are accepted by email only to arts@leitrimcoco.ie and should include:

• A cover letter concisely outlining the project you would like to focus on during your time at Annaghmakerrig.
• An up to date biography.
• Samples of recent work – Three short samples of up to 500 words from different works. Works submitted are judged anonymously. Each piece should have two cover pages: the first listing the title of work and the author’s name, address, and contact details; and a second listing only the title of the work. The author’s name, other identifying information, and publication information must not appear after the first cover page.
• Note: All attachments should be in .pdf format
• Any relevant information on your proposed project such as written excerpts, photos, research information, etc.

​​Application Deadline:

Midnight Tuesday 31 July, 2018. No late applications will be considered. Applications will be acknowledged by email on receipt.

Selection Process:

​Applications go before a selection committee nominated by Leitrim County Council and the Tyrone Guthrie Centre. The successful applicant will be notified no later than 15 September, 2017. The recipient of the award will be publicly announced on Saturday 6th October 2018 during the Iron Mountain Literature Festival at The Dock, Carrick on Shannon.

Website: https://www.ironmountainfestival.ie/john-mcgahern-award