Acclaimed author Rónán Hession to headline major writing masterclass in Derry
The award-winning creator of Leonard and Hungry Paul joins the Irish Writers Centre to help local talent master the craft and business of publishing
Best-selling author Rónán Hession will lead a high-level creative writing masterclass at Derry Central Library on September 12 2026.
The event is a key highlight of the Irish Writers Centre's (IWC) Writers in the Regions initiative, a nationwide programme designed to bring industry-leading expertise to writers outside of the capital.
The two-hour intensive session will offer local writers a rare opportunity to learn from Hession, whose debut novel Leonard and Hungry Paul became a global sensation, a BBC series, and a ‘One Dublin One Book’ selection.
As Hession prepares for the 2027 release of his fourth novel, Richard Heart Julianne, this masterclass serves as a timely bridge for North West writers looking to professionalise their practice and connect with the wider Irish literary landscape.
The masterclass will deconstruct the essential craft of storytelling - focusing on plot development and stylistic voice - while also providing a "behind-the-scenes" look at the business of publishing. The session will conclude with a live Q&A, allowing attendees to gain direct advice on their own projects.
Mags McLoughlin, CEO of the Irish Writers Centre, stated: “Our Writers in the Regions series is an important one for us in terms of developing our commitment to making high-quality creative development available to writers across the country.”
The sessions are as follows:
- 14 March: Conor Kostick at the Yeats Society, Sligo
- 11 April: David Butler at the Galway City Museum
- 16 May: Mary Morrissy at The Source, Tipperary
- 23 May: Mary O’Donnell at The Dock, Leitrim
- 20 Jun: Alan McMonagle at the Dean Crow Theatre, Athlone
- 12 September: Ronan Hession at Derry City Library
Bookings are now open at www.irishwriterscentre.ie for the first four masterclasses and will open for the rest in the coming months. Two further masterclasses will be announced later in the year.