Writers across Ireland are invited to apply for the 2024 John Broderick Residency.
The year 2024 marks the centenary of Athlone writer John Broderick’s birth, this unique residency series is designed to honour the renowned writer. The series provides support to a selected writer while increasing the awareness of John Broderick, his works, and his engagement and generosity to the people of Athlone.
The successful applicant will have time for their own writing practice and be required to stimulate greater awareness of the works of John Broderick, particularly in this centenary year, the art of creative writing, as well as developing more opportunities for people in Athlone to engage with the work of John Broderick and other writers.
The residency is made possible by John Broderick’s generous contribution to the artistic life of his hometown. Following his death in 1989, Broderick bequeathed monies to the Arts Council for ‘...the benefit and assistance and advancement of the arts in Athlone’.
The Arts Council and Westmeath County Council are working in partnership in the development of this second residency series. Previous recipients of the residency include Annemarie Ní Churreáin, Martin Dyar and Keith Payne.
A sum of €16,500 will be granted to a selected professional writer for a 10 week period beginning in September 2024. The Residency period may extend until April 2025. Later in the year, there will be an additional award of €7,000 for an emerging writer as part of the John Broderick series.
“The John Broderick Residency is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the life and literature of John Broderick while providing a platform of support for an emerging writer. Hosted in Athlone, the residency programme offers a unique perspective for the potential recipient to immerse themselves in John’s heritage. The programme also allows the writer to concurrently develop their literary prowess and to establish themselves as mentor. The residency has been a notable success, with poet and authors Annemarie Ni Churreáin, Martin Dyar and Keith Payne,” Director of the Arts Council, Maureen Kennelly, said.
Speaking of the residency, Westmeath Arts Officer Miriam Mulrennan, noted that it to be a hugely meaningful programme.
“The John Broderick Residency is a hugely meaningful programme. It’s an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate a writer who has provided so much to the people of Athlone. John Broderick is a figure whose work absolutely deserves to be celebrated and preserved. We look forward to working with the selected 2024 writer to shed new light on Broderick’s work while providing them with the support they need to nurture their own literary practice,” Ms Mulrennan stated.
Applications for the 2024 John Broderick Residency will remain open until 5pm on April 17.
Visit Westmeathculture.ie for more information.
