UCD creative writing graduate wins Publishing Ireland’s inaugural Breakthrough Award
Posted 19 September, 2024
A recent graduate of UCD's creative writing masters is the (opens in a new window)inaugural winner of Publishing Ireland’s ‘Breakthrough Award’.
Poet and artist Róisín Ní Neachtain received the award – which is supported by (opens in a new window)The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon – following the shortlisting of a number of individuals considered to have the potential to blaze a trail in Irish publishing.
Created with the intention to offer an entry-point to the world of publishing for those who have yet to be heard within the industry due to economic, social or cultural barriers to participation, the Breakthrough Award aims to give individuals from underrepresented backgrounds the opportunity for their unique creative voices to be heard.
“I can’t quite put it into words what this award means to me. It’s a life-changing opportunity and a dream come true. I am overwhelmed with gratitude and looking forward so much to the opportunities and work ahead,” said Róisín on winning the award.
A professional member of the Irish Writers Centre and of Visual Artists Ireland, as well as a graduate of UCD's creative writing masters, Róisín is passionate about diversity in publishing, education and the arts and hopes to publish poetry chapbooks soon with Orphic Press, which she founded in 2019 and through which she currently publishes The Orphic Review online.
Her writing has been published by Abridged, The Honest Ulsterman, Firmament (Sublunary Editions) and Broken Sleep Books amongst others and is forthcoming with Poetry Jukebox.
Publishing Ireland is delighted to announce the inaugural winner of The Breakthrough Award: Róisín Ní Neachtain.
— Publishing Ireland (@PublishingIRL) (opens in a new window)September 18, 2024
To learn more about Róisín ((opens in a new window)@RoisinCNorton) and the award, visit our website: (opens in a new window)https://t.co/zAgyDGP8t0 (opens in a new window)pic.twitter.com/hgFDcCJ0i1
As part of the Breakthrough Award, she will gain paid work experience at various Irish publishers of different sizes and specialties, have free access to Publishing Ireland events and training, visit publishing companies, and have the opportunity to attend the London Book Fair.
The masters' degree in creative writing at U CD School of English, Drama and Film has had several notable graduates in recent years, including Booker Prize nominee Colin Barrett and Irish fantasy and young adult author Dave Rudden.
Three of its graduates were also named in a list by the An Post Irish Book Awards showcasing a new generation of talented Irish authors in Ireland ahead of this year’s Irish Book Awards.
By: David Kearns, Digital Journalist / Media Officer, UCD University Relations
To contact the UCD News & Content Team, email: newsdesk@ucd.ie
