Call for Expressions of Interest: Nurturing a Literature-Loving Community in Drumcondra
DCU Arts and Culture is seeking expressions of interest from individuals, community groups, and organisations in Drumcondra to join an exciting initiative focused on building a sustainable, vibrant community that celebrates reading, writing, and literature.
Our goal is to cultivate a literature culture that honours Irish fiction, poetry, creative writing, and spoken word, inspired by the rich history and literary heritage of Drumcondra—a suburb with deep literary roots and home to many celebrated writers.
Key Focus Areas:
- Nurturing a Literary Community: Foster a vibrant, engaged community that actively participates in reading and writing, celebrating Drumcondra’s literary traditions.
- Promoting Accessible Reading: Encourage reading for pleasure across diverse genres, with an emphasis on creating accessible, community-driven opportunities such as book clubs and reading groups.
- Supporting Community Leaders: Provide training and supports to community leaders, volunteers, and organisations to establish and run book clubs, creative writing groups, poetry circles, and to integrate literary elements into local events.
- Connecting with Irish Writers: Facilitate connections between the community and Irish writers by creating opportunities for engagement through literary events and programming tied to the local community calendar.
If you’re interested in supporting or leading literary initiatives in Drumcondra, we invite you to express your interest and become part of this exciting project.
How to Apply: Please send an expression of interest outlining your involvement or ideas to Emma O'Brien at dcuartsandculture@dcu.ie
Deadline: Friday 28th February at 12pm
Why is DCU Arts and Culture interested in developing this initiative?
DCU Library, Drumcondra Road
DCU has a long-standing commitment to fostering literature through both our academic programmes and community outreach. We host two Writers in Residence each year in collaboration with the Arts Council at our School of English and Scoil na Gaeilge, and since 2023, we’ve also welcomed a Poetry Ireland Poet in Residence through partnerships with Poetry Ireland and the Adrian Brinkenhoff Poetry Foundation.
Our public programme of literary events—including symposiums, spoken word performances, and our successful Book Club (running since 2020)—continues to thrive, along with our Poetry Circle. Through this new initiative, we aim to extend the impact of our literary programmes into the Drumcondra community, empowering local residents to create and develop their own literature groups, classes, and book clubs.
Our vision is to strengthen the ties between DCU and Drumcondra, amplifying literary engagement in both directions and nurturing a lasting, literature-loving community in the heart of Drumcondra.
