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10 Top Writing Groups in Ireland

By Kevin Chan

If you’re an Irish writer who feels you would benefit from joining a writing group, this post is for you. Below we’ve featured 10 top writing groups in Ireland.

1. Writepace

Writepace is a writing group based in Limerick, Ireland. Membership to Writepace is free, and the writing group welcomes writers who are serious about improving their ability and are looking for a supportive community that will provide honest feedback and encouragement.

Writing meetings at Writepace take place both in person and online. Writepace’s writing meetings offer support and resources for writers, no matter their skill level or background in writing. Writing meetings are times for members to work on their own writing. There are also services available at Writepace, including peer mentoring to help writers and opportunities for a public reading of their work-in-progress.

Take a look at Writepace.

2. Limerick Writers’ Centre Writing Groups

Based in Limerick, Ireland, Limerick Writers’ Centre is a not-for-profit foundation created in 2008. Limerick Writers’ Centre organizes services such as readings, workshops and publishing-related activities, as well as three different writing groups that support local writers.

Writers passionate about writing fiction, non-fiction, scripts and screenplays or poetry can benefit from participation in one of the Limerick Writers’ Centre Writing Groups. Limerick Writers’ Centre Writing Groups consist of professional and amateur writers who are looking to advance their writing and meet other like-minded individuals. Limerick Writers’ Centre Writing Groups also hosts a monthly public reading at their “On the Nail” Literary Gathering.

Contact Limerick Writers’ Centre.

3. Millstreet Library Creative Writing Group

Millstreet Library Creative Writing Group in Millstreet, County Cork is a writing group that welcomes adults from all backgrounds and skill levels. Available spots at the writing group are limited, and interested writing group participants are encouraged to reach out to Millstreet Library Creative Writing Group quickly.

Millstreet Library Creative Writing Group welcomes writers who love writing and seek feedback from other group members. Writing group meetings take place at Millstreet Library on Wednesday afternoons. For additional information about Millstreet Library Creative Writing Group, connect with staff at Millstreet Library.

Connect with Millstreet Library Creative Writing Group.

4. Tramore Library Online Writers Group

Hosted through the public library system of Waterford, Ireland, Tramore Library Online Writers Group is a writing group that regularly meets online. Interested writers can email their interest to the library directly and learn more about when Tramore Library Online Writers Group’s next writing meeting will take place.

Writers are encouraged to join Tramore Library Online Writers Group to meet others who are passionate about writing. Writers will benefit from Tramore Library Online Writers Group, where they can practice different aspects of writing such as writing point of view, developing characters, constructing engaging dialogue and basic narrative structure.

Learn more about Tramore Library Online Writers Group.

5. Scribblers Creative Writing Group

Scribblers Creative Writing Group is a writing group based in Waterford, Ireland. Writing meetings happen in person in The Hub at the Central Library and are organized by Tom Mullane. Scribblers Creative Writing Group meets on the first Wednesday of each month and runs from 2 PM to 4 PM.

Scribblers Creative Writing Group offers value to beginner writers as well as writers with a bit more experience. It can be challenging to get started on the path to publication for someone with a passion for writing, but at Scribblers Creative Writing Group, beginning writers can build valuable relationships with other group members and will be able to learn skills and get feedback on their writing.

Speak to Scribblers Creative Writing Group.

6. Spectrum Dublin Sci-Fi and Fantasy Writers

Situated in Dublin, Ireland, Spectrum Dublin Sci-Fi and Fantasy Writers is a writing group that welcomes writers working on anything from science fiction and fantasy to horror novels and short stories. Writing meetings happen monthly, both in person and online.

Writers interested in submitting their work-in-progress can email their writing to Spectrum Dublin Sci-Fi and Fantasy Writers. Entries should include the writer’s name and should be somewhere near the word count of 1,000 and 5,000. Writers are asked to participate in at least one meeting before submitting a story for feedback.

Discover more about Spectrum Dublin Sci-Fi and Fantasy Writers.

7. Clonbur Writers Collective

Clonbur Writers Collective is a writing group based in Galway, Ireland. Co-organizers Thomas Gorman and Ashland Pym are excited to welcome local writers in the area of Galway and Mayo to join them at their writing meetings.

Writers can look forward to join Clonbur Writers Collective. Writing meetings happen in person in different venues in Clonbur, such as the All Saints Heritage Centre. Meetings happen on the second Monday of every month and will change times between morning and evening meetings.

For more information about Clonbur Writers Collective, check out their website.

8. Inksplinters

Dublin, Ireland is home to Inksplinters, a writing group run out of the Irish Writers Center. Participation in Inksplinters is free for members of the Irish Winters Center and costs only €5 for non-members interested in joining Inksplinters. Inksplinters is a group that welcomes all writers and is a welcoming group full of creative minds that are willing and eager to help any new members.

Writing meetings consist of a dedicated time of writing, followed by feedback on every writer’s work-in-progress. Writers can look forward to receiving both encouragement and also constructive criticism from other members, which is sure to help advance their writing.

Check out Inksplinters’ website!

9. Shut Up & Write! West Cork

Shut Up & Write! is a writing group with chapters located in multiple locations worldwide, including their West Cork chapter in Schull, Ireland. Currently, Shut Up & Write! West Cork has over 80 members, all writers coming from different backgrounds and of varying skill levels.

Shut Up & Write! West Cork meetings happen online weekly on Wednesday afternoons. Writers will be able to connect with other local writers and benefit from Shut Up & Write! West Cork’s dedicated writing time for them to make progress on any manuscripts they might be working on.

Plan a visit to Shut Up & Write! West Cork.

10. Dublin City Libraries Writing Groups

Serving writers in Dublin, Ireland, Dublin City Libraries Writing Groups are a number of writing groups welcoming local professional, amateur and aspiring writers to join the men and women who make up one of the several writing groups that make up Dublin City Libraries Writing Groups.

Offered by Poetry Ireland, Dublin City Libraries Writing Groups encourages interested individuals to visit a writing group in one of the eight branch libraries of Dublin City Libraries. Between the eight branches, Dublin City Libraries Writing Groups meet just about every day of the week. Prospective writing group members are encouraged to reach out to the writing group they’re most interested in joining by phone or email.

Find out more about Dublin City Libraries Writing Groups.

Get feedback on your writing and become a better writer in our online writing group

Scribophile is one of the largest and most award-winning online writing communities.

Make your writing shine with feedback from other writers

You’ve spent a lot of time writing your story. But how can you make it perfect before you start thinking about publishing?

Scribophile is a writing group focused on getting you feedback on your manuscript. Our points-based peer critique system guarantees you’ll get feedback from writers from all walks of life. You can then use that feedback to polish your writing before you take the next step in your publishing journey.

How Scribophile works

1 earn points by giving feedback.

Earn karma points by critiquing writing. Giving feedback to other writers is fast, easy, fun, and helps improve your own writing, too!

2 Get feedback on your own writing

Spend karma points to post your own writing for critique — anything from flash fiction to novels. Our busy community of writers from all over the world will give you detailed feedback on how to improve it.

3 Make friends and meet beta readers

As you participate in our writing group, you’ll meet and form relationships with other writers. These friends will be your beta readers, ready to help with your current manuscript, and your next ones too!

Scribophile was the first place I stopped when I went from being an I-wanna-be-a-writer to I-am-an-author. Now I have four international bestselling novels with major publishers, and when authors come to me I always send them to Scribophile. Genevieve Graham Tides of Honour and others published with Simon & Schuster

Join writing workshops and level up your writing

Our writing workshops are taught by bestselling authors, expert teachers, and industry insiders. We have workshops for writers of any skill level, where we cover everything from beginning topics to advanced techniques.

Our writing workshops are designed to be both comprehensive and transformational — they’re your fast track to becoming an unforgettable writer.

Some of our upcoming writing workshops

Writing Powerful Settings with Ross Turner

Apr 13, 2024 • 2 hour workshop, with instructor feedback on your writing

Editor and teacher Ross Turner explains the techniques master writers use to write settings so memorable that they become characters of their own.

Be Your Own Freelance Editor with Tanya Egan Gibson

Apr 20, 2024 • 2 hour webinar

Author and editor Tanya Egan Gibson teaches you how to self-edit your manuscripts with the careful, critical eye of an editor to make them the best they can be.

Improve your writing, at any skill level

Our writing group welcomes writers of all skill levels — from beginners to published authors, and every writer in between.

Each critique you receive on your manuscript is a fresh perspective for you to incorporate. Our bustling writing forums feature writers discussing the craft twenty-four hours a day. And our extensive Writing Academy is full of insightful articles on the art — and business — of writing.

Scribophile played a major part in helping me polish my novel for submission. I learnt a huge amount from critiquing other people’s work, as well as from reading critiques of mine. I now have a wonderful agent and have signed a three-book deal in the UK, a two-book deal in Germany, and a TV option. The book was also shortlisted for The Debut Dagger! Roz Watkins The Devil’s Dice and others published with HarperCollins

Giving and receiving critiques on Scribophile made a big difference to the quality of my writing. I learned how to write a query letter here and that led to an agent and a book deal. Ruth Lauren Prisoner of Ice and Snow and others published with Bloomsbury

No more writing alone — meet your new writer friends

Sometimes, the hardest part of being a writer is how lonely it can get.

That’s why the most important part of Scribophile is our community of hundreds of thousands of writers from all over the world. No matter what genre you write in, or how far along you are in your manuscript, the friends you make at Scribophile will finally take the loneliness out of our solitary craft.

My years on Scribophile have given me a master’s level education in writing. The critiques are great, but I’ve learned as much from reading and analyzing other writers on Scribophile. I don’t think I could have polished my novel to a publishable level without this site. I’m an addict. Laura Creedle The Love Letters of Abelard and Lily published with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

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Online writers group launched | Carlow Nationalist

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Online writers group launched

IF you think you have what it takes to be Carlow’s next Stephen King or Celia Ahern, then you might want to check out a new online writing group created by best-selling author Sharon Thompson.

Called #Indulgeinwriting, the group is designed for busy people who love writing but who may not have the time to attend writing courses or events. It doesn’t matter where in Ireland members live, as it is all done online and it features talks from well-known names in the writing industry.

Sharon, who is the author of best-selling novels The abandoned  and The Healer , said: “I live in Donegal, so again, I can’t make it to a lot of writing events. This was an idea built on the need for online talks to allow everyone from all over Ireland to be able to attend and listen to experts from the writing industry. “#Indulgeinwriting writers will build their own writing life, connect with established and establishing writers, have real, sustained support from those who ‘get writing’. It is a wonderful community for links and expert advice on writing and getting published.”

Already, the first six weeks of the online writing group has been a huge success with talks from well-known literary scout Vanessa O’Loughlin of writing.ie and inkwell.ie and children’s/young adult author ER Murray. Some members have secured an agent since joining the group. With more to come, Sharon is excited to see where the group takes her emerging writers.

“I believe in the group of writers and getting to know them and to read their work has been an absolute honour.”

For more information, see indulgeinwriting.com.

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Posted on Nov 19, 2018

15 of the Best Online Writing Communities for Aspiring Authors

As enjoyable and fulfilling as writing can be, the truth is that it’s often a solitary endeavor. While we might romanticize the focused artist typing away while imaginary worlds and narratives swirl inside their minds — authors know the truth: writing can get lonely. And moreover, when you’re working on a one-person project, it can be hard to remain motivated and accountable. That’s where writing communities come in.

Writing communities are the perfect place to find answers to your writing questions and to discuss the ins and outs of the writing life with people who actually understand what you’re talking about.

So, if you are tired of listening only to the voices in your head, take a look at our list of top online writing communities. (And if you're hungry for more, check out our more exhaustive list of the very best writing websites !)

Top online writing communities

1. absolute write water cooler.

With over 68,000 members, this is a large and highly active community. Here you can find threads on every genre imaginable, as well as discussions about freelance writing , the publishing industry, pop culture, writing prompts and exercises, and much more.

Perfect for: writers who are looking for a large and active community.

2. AgentQuery Connect

While this forum will come in handy for any writer, it’s especially helpful for authors who have already completed their manuscript and are wondering what to do next. The site boasts a wealth of information on publishing topics such as querying agents, self-publishing tips, and book promotion advice.

Perfect for: writers who are looking to connect with agents and learn more about the publishing industry.

3. Camp NaNoWriMo

If you’ve ever wanted to go to a writer’s retreat but can’t afford it just yet, then this site might help scratch your itch. Holding online “camp sessions” in April and July, Camp NaNoWriMo offers a digital space to encourage and empower writers at any point of their career. Here you can work on drafts, revisions, short stories, or any other writing project that involves word-count goals.

Perfect for: writers who can’t wait until November to crack their writing goals .

4. Critique Circle

Feedback should be a vital part of any writer’s process, and this is exactly what Critique Circle offers. This members-only site allows authors to post stories in exchange for feedback on other people’s writing. You can also find storyboarding tools , writing prompts , workshops, name generators , games like hangman, and much more.

Perfect for: writers who want honest feedback on their writing.

5. Chronicles

As the world’s largest Science Fiction and Fantasy online community, Chronicles offers writers the opportunity to get together and discuss the latest books, news, and pop culture in the Sci-Fi and Fantasy world. This is an active community with thousands of threads that include genre-specific challenges, workshops, critiques, and even publishing and industry information.

Perfect for: writers interested in Science Fiction and Fantasy writing.

6. Facebook Groups

If social media is more your style, don't miss the chance to interact with your fellow writers by joining Facebook groups in your own niche. Look for groups with a strict "no self-promotion" rules so that it remains supportive and useful to your writing goals.

There are a lot of groups out there in a variety of topics that range from genre-specific writing tips to traditional and self-publishing industry news. Here are just a few of them:

The Street Team — Reedsy's own book marketing group for self-publishing authors. 10 Minute Novelists — a group for the time-crunched writer. Calls for Submissions  — for writers looking for publication opportunities. Fiction Writers Global — a great resource for information about traditional and self-publishing. Writers Unite! — an active group with plenty of support and motivation for novice and experienced writers alike.

Perfect for: writers who prefer using social media.

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7. Insecure Writer’s Support Group

Whether you are a debut or seasoned author, there’s no doubt that writing a book can be intimidating and rife with bouts of self-doubt. The Insecure Writer’s Support Group aims to help you overcome those insecurities by hosting a community of like-minded authors.

Perfect for: writers who have doubts about their writing and are in need of encouragement.

8. The Next Big Writer

This is an international forum where writers can receive feedback on their writing and support on every other part of the creative process from drafting to publishing and marketing. The critiques are often thorough and many come from published authors. Keep in mind that there is a monthly cost associated with the membership, but it might be worth it to be able to bend the ear of published authors.

Perfect for: writers seeking in-depth critiques from an international audience.

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More than just a single writing community, Reddit has countless ‘subreddits’ where writers of all genres, interests, and levels of experience flock. While it may not offer workshops or tools, members can find niche threads that relate to their interests, critique other people’s work, and discover helpful sources of information.

There are so many different subreddits that you can get lost browsing them, but here are a few of the most popular ones:

r/writing — for general writing purposes. r/writingprompts — for user-submitted writing prompts. r/destructivereaders — beware, if you don’t like harsh criticism this may not be the best fit. But if you are willing to endure it, you will come out a better writer at the end. r/worldbuilding — user submitted fiction worlds. r/fantasywriters — for anybody interested in the fantasy genre. r/characterforge — the place to be for character building. r/writerchat — for those interested in talking with fellow writers. r/selfpublish — for anybody interested in self-publishing. r/logophilia — “the love of words and word games,” and that’s exactly what you’ll find here. r/freelanceWriters — for anybody interested in a career in freelance writing . r/books — because reading is just as important as writing if you want to be a successful author.

Perfect for: writers who want niche threads based on a particular interest or need.

10. Scribophile

One of the largest communities in the world, Scribophile offers workshops, tutorials, and critiques for authors in just about any genre imaginable. While it is free to join, only users who pay for a membership get access to all their features.

Perfect for: authors whowant to take part in writing workshops alongside writers of all experience levels.

11. She Writes

With over 30,000 members, this is the largest writing community exclusively for women. Here you can find articles on writing, editing, and marketing for every genre. There are forums tailored to specific needs, like travel writers, writing about trauma, NaNoWriMo, and many other topics.

Perfect for: women writers who want a place to connect and learn from fellow writers.

12. Talentville

If your passion lies in screenwriting, then you’ll want to book a one-way ticket to Talentville. Here you can get feedback on your writing and learn the skills necessary to perfect your screencraft. Plus, you can work on and build your network of contacts: the site is also a frequent stop for industry professionals (like agents, managers, and producers) on the lookout for new talent.

Perfect for: writers whoare interested in screenwriting and networking.

13. Underlined

A writing community by Penguin Random House. While any author can find helpful information on this website, it’s geared more towards younger writers. It has a well-designed platform, quizzes, genre-specific information, the latest news on book releases, Q&As with authors, and even some giveaways and excerpts as perks.

Perfect for: younger writers who are looking for genre-specific information and bookish perks.

14. Writers Helping Writers

This is a free-to-register community where you can find resources for writers, teachers, and editors alike. They offer a vast array of tools to perfect your craft, no matter your level. Their extensive creative library includes webinars, free writing and marketing tools, a thesaurus collection, story maps, idea generators, and more.

Perfect for: writers, editors, and teachers who are looking to build up their writing toolbox.

15. #WritingCommunity

Sometimes, all you need is a hashtag. And indeed, Twitter's own #WritingCommunity is one of the most robust writing collectives on the web. Ask a question, and it'll almost certainly get answered (without a lot of Twitter's trademark snark). The key here is to keep your questions concise, reply often to others, and don't go crazy with other hashtags. The community can tell if you're just thirsty for RTs. Perfect for: writers who are finally ready to use Twitter for good — and not just for procrastinating.

Do you belong to a writing community? Which one is your favorite one? Add yours in the comments below!

13 responses

27/11/2018 – 22:42

Very useful post. Thanks for this. I will be linking to it on my blog.

Dr Jack Edward Effron says:

18/02/2019 – 16:40

You left out taylz.com. It’s truly free. They are not going to give you a rubbish service to make you join their pay site because they have no pay site. Your story can be 8,000 words. They are not going to force you into flash fiction of 3,000 words. One critique out, one critique in: no mucking about with “karma” or critiquing 5+ stories to get one critique. The great new idea whose time has come! And it’s British, not American.

marieseltenrych says:

08/05/2019 – 12:28

Reedsy, thank God you are here! I want to ask a question to other authors or self publishers here: I have been approached by OmniScriptum to publish my books (research) with them. I cannot find much about this company online, so wondered if anyone has published with them recently? Thanks Reedsy in anticipation. Marie

↪️ Reedsy replied:

08/05/2019 – 12:29

Hi Marie! Sounds potentially very shady to me. If you haven't already, check out our post on predatory companies in publishing. One of the rules of thumb is that if a publisher contacts you first, be very wary. I just did 20 seconds worth of Googling and found some people who had a bad experience.

Eunice Brownlee says:

I am a member of illuminate, which is a group designed around supporting women who want to share their stories but don't know how. The majority of us write non-fiction essays and memoirs, but we have a few poets and fiction writers in the mix as well. The overall goal is to support each other, especially through those harder moments of not wanting to write, or not knowing where to start. There are monthly themes and prompts, a weekly exercise inside the Facebook group, and cross-sharing of what we're working on. My favorite feature is the expert review, where you can submit any piece you're working on each month and you'll get quality feedback from one of the editors that manage the group. This group is perfect for anyone who is just getting started writing.

↪️ Brittani B replied:

11/02/2020 – 19:27

I tried the link multiple times both from this page and separately searched and was unable to access the site.

Harry says:

05/06/2019 – 07:51

Personally I think you missed out the best writing community: https://community.jerichowriters.com/ Jericho Writers is a free writing community that writers can safely share thought, make friends, swap work and get advice

Christian says:

08/08/2019 – 12:21

I only recommend Scribophile if you enjoy being coerced into groupthink. If you hope to get meaningful critique that will help you, look elsewhere. The critiques here are mostly SPAG, and it's forbidden to discuss your work on the main forums, except in the broadest, vaguest way.

Randy says:

18/08/2019 – 06:11

I have all my dads writing research and copyrights to 18 different books....all this was before the digital world .... many negatives photos ....every major story from all over the world with his .copyright . These are huge stores and his books are really well written ....what should I do with them .....incredible spy work as well

Ratih says:

27/08/2019 – 03:50

As a new writer this article is really useful for me. Thank you reedsy

Jennifer says:

02/09/2019 – 14:15

Hi guys! Great blog! Just wanted to let you know that we linked to you in a blog on the Peaceful Living Wellness Online Magazine :) It will be published on Friday, September 6th, 2019

↪️ Martin Cavannagh replied:

17/09/2019 – 09:04

Thanks! We appreciate that!

Kaylee Downey says:

14/02/2020 – 19:09

Um...what about Wattpad?

Comments are currently closed.

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The Irish Writers Centre aims to provide relevant information and resources to writers across a number of areas including publishing, marketing, copyright, social welfare and more.

To provide relevant information and resources to writers across a number of areas including publishing, marketing, copyright, social welfare and more.

Guidance Sheets for Writers

Copyright information, promoting your work, competitions, submissions and publishing, competitions, submissions & opportunities, getting published, pacáiste tosaigh do scríbhneoirí gaeilge // a starter pack for irish language writers, practical supports for writers, bursaries & funding, social welfare scheme for professional writers and artists, masters in creative writing (ireland), american college dublin (masters of fine arts (mfa) in creative writing, writing groups and peer organisations, writing groups, words ireland, poetry ireland, literature ireland, children’s books ireland, get involved.

We enjoy connecting with new writers and literature lovers, and there are various ways by which you can get involved with us here at the Irish Writers Centre.

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The Limerick Writers’ Centre

Dominic taylor.

• 30 July 2012

Limerick has long been famous for its passion for the arts, culture and heritage and you only have to look at some of its natives, which include Pulitzer Prize winning author, Frank McCourt; novelists Kate O’Brien and Michael Curtin; The Bard of Thomond Michael Hogan; short story writer and novelist Kevin Barry…the list goes on and on, to prove that literature and writing is one of the major creative activities that the Treaty City can be proud of.

No surprise then that since 2009 the Limerick Writers’ Centre, based in Barrington Street, has been nurturing and supporting a new wave of writers by holding workshops, readings, talks and engaging in publishing activities. Founded by four people who are actively involved in the literary life of the city; Dominic Taylor, Mike Finn, Dermot Petty and Mark Lloyd the centre is run on a voluntary basis with the day to day running in the hands of Dominic Taylor.

The board of directors has undergone some changes since these four founding members got together to launch the Writers’ Centre. Mike Finn is a playwright and is best known for his play  Pigtown , which recently was revived in the Belltable with a 21 day sell out run. And also known for his work with Pat Shortt on  Killnaskully  TV programme. Due to commitments in Dublin Mike has moved to the capital and is no longer actively involved with the centre, and Mark Lloyd has left to pursue an e-book publishing venture. Since then the board has been joined by Fiona Clark Echlin – a poet, playwright and drama teacher and by Jim Burke a poet and a founder member of  The Stony Thursday Book , Ireland’s longest published poetry journal. Dominic Taylor is one of the two original founding members and has a background in writing songs and poetry – in 2000 he was one of the early organisers of the poetry readings in The White House in Limerick. He is currently the event organiser at the LWC and managing editor of their poetry imprint Revival Press. Dermott Petty is a film-maker, originally from Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare but he has also worked in the US. As well as various short films he has written, produced, directed a feature film called  Man Band .

So from this eclectic but enthusiastic root, Limerick Writers’ Centre have built a multi genre offering focusing on workshops including regular poetry and prose workshops plus screenwriting, memoir and life writing. Literary talks are also a regular activity where literary agents, such London agent Jo Unwin, have revealed the secrets of getting published to large attendances. Their flagship monthly literary gathering ‘On The Nail’ takes place in The Loft Venue in The Lock Bar, Georges Quay on the first Tuesday of every month and regularly draws a large audience. The gathering comprises of three guest readers, a theatre piece and an open-mic for anyone who wishes to read their own work.

Publishing has also played an important part in the life of the centre with a number of major projects completed such as  Kemmy’s Limerick Miscellany  and  Luaithreach Angela,  a translation of Frank McCourt’s  Angela’s Ashes  into Irish. This October we will be publishing two anthologies, one on Limerick poet Michael Hartnett and the other a love themed poetry anthology. Our very successful Revival Literary Journal is now in its 23 rd issue and continues to gather a reputation both national and internationally, the current editor is Noel King. The centre is also always available to give advice to anyone who wants to self-publish.

One of the most popular activities of the centre has been the peer critique writers’ groups. Once a month writers gather at the centre to critique one another’s work in groups divided into prose/fiction and poetry. The success and popularity of these groups have been very encouraging for aspiring writers and one of our members Pat O’Connor won the Seán Ó Faoláin International Short Story Competition in 2011. Other members too, have had work published in various journals.

Guest readers at ‘On The Nail’ have been very appreciative of our events as Eleanor Hooker recently commented “Great night at ‘On The Nail’ readings in Limerick. Huge thanks to  Dominic Taylor  and  Limerick Writers’ Centre  for making it possible, left you wanting to hear more! The audience was warm and appreciative and yep, bought books too”.

Submissions, poetry and short fiction or extracts (500 words) now being sought for the next issue of Limerick Writers Cente Revivial (Oct 2012).Deadline is Friday 25th August. Review and Criticism pieces and black and white images/line drawings for inclusion, are also welcomed. To find out more visit the submission page at http://www.limerickwriterscentre.com/revival-literary-journal.html

The Centre receives a small Arts Council grant under the Small Festival Scheme and we hope to develop the centre and apply for a regular funded organisation grant next year.

For anyone wishing to contact the centre the first port of call is our website  www.limerickwriterscentre.com  or telephone 087 2996409.

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(c) Dominic Taylor August 2012

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Cork County Council Launch Spring Series of Online Writing Workshops

 ‘Three Cords and the Truth’ is the fantastic new song-writing workshop from songwriter, artist, winner of the ‘International Song-Writing Competition’ and “Other Voices” alumnus Jack O’ Rourke. Jack describes the craft of song-writing as “like getting into a cage with a lion - it’s exciting and scary equally. You have to face who you are.” With this course, Jack aims to offer a safe space for eight artists to share songs and ideas. 

Billy O’Callaghan will present ‘The Art and Craft of the Short Story’ . Billy is the author of three short story collections: “ In Exile”, “In Too Deep” and “The Things We Lose and The Things We Leave Behind” as well as the bestselling novel ‘The Dead House’ . Billy’s latest short story collection, ‘ The Boatman and Other Stories ’ was released in January 2020. Billy is the winner of a Bord Gáis Energy Irish Book Award for the short story, and a two-time recipient of the Arts Council of Ireland’s bursary award for literature. Participants will join Billy for six online group sessions that explore the craft of writing short story fiction.

Following the success of multiple collectives and workshops delivered with support from Cork County Council in 2020, the Council’s Writer-in-Residence Poet Matthew Geden returns with ‘ One World: Our Environment ’. Participants will have the opportunity to work with Matthew in ten online group sessions that explore the world we live in through poetry, looking at classic and contemporary poems that examine aspects of our surroundings including nature poetry, the urban landscape, the weather, climate change and travel. Each workshop will also include class exercises and group critiques of each other's work.

Also on offer is ‘ Travel Writing Workshop 2021 ’. With over a decade of experience writing for major Irish newspapers and magazines, as well as broadcasting, Conor Power will help participants grasp the basics of how to approach a travel article, some of the secrets of the craft and trade, where travel writing stands today, how to pitch your ideas and how to improve your work. ‘Travel Within 5km of your Home’ will be the theme of the opening sessions and will include collaborative work on travel within 5km of where you live, helping writers to express themselves even within the current constraints.

Crime writer, Alex Barclay will deliver ‘ CSI: Cork ’, a crime writing workshop for writers of all levels, aimed at inspiring mystery and intrigue. The former journalist will help participants bring out the best of their creativity and share the many tricks he has picked up over the course of her career.

Cork County Council is delighted to present Colin O’ Mahoney’s Prose in the Pandemic aimed at those aged between 14 and 17. This writing course is a broad introduction to writing fiction, covering everything from inspiration and getting started to re-writing and editing your finished stories. Although the workshop will focus on fiction, there will be an emphasis on writing what you know and self-expression, allowing each participant to find their own voice and learn to write the kind of stories that most appeals to them. Writing stories can be a powerful channel for imagination, creativity, and emotion, making this workshop a timely and important offering for young people.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley welcomed the new online workshops saying,

“The changes to life as we know over the past year, and the opportunity it has provided for reflection and sometimes solace, will leave its mark on us all. In the months and years ahead, creativity and storytelling will play a vital role in shaping our understanding of the challenges our community has faced. By providing these workshops, Cork County Council is showing its commitment and support to everyone in the community who wishes to develop their creativity and contribute to our rich cultural heritage. I invite all those who are interested to apply for these wonderful opportunities.”

All workshops are free, but places are limited. Applications are open to people aged 14 to 17 or over 18 depending on the course and limited to those residing in the Cork County administrative area. Participants will be selected by the facilitator and their decision is final. Closing date for applications is Sunday, 7th February 2021.

Applications are available on the Arts Section of corkcoco.ie .

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Inkslingers is a Dublin writing Group who get together on a weekly basis to write at Irish Writers Centre . We write for half an hour to a prompt and then read out what we’ve written. You will be nicely surprised by the encouragement, but you don’t have to read, you can just sit back and listen. We don’t insist that you restrict yourself to the prompt or that you read what you’ve just written, you can read something you brought along that you’ve been working on.

We provide our own prompts, usually of our own invention. Often, they take the fairly standard form of a phrase, an image, a story beginning etc. However, we have also used photos/paintings; curios; items of clothing etc!

We are not a group in the sense of a members’ list and criteria for entry, or terms of reference. A lot of us are just regulars at the Writers Centre but other than that we are a mixed group in terms age, gender, city/country, nationality and so on. We are drawn together by our desire to write and to be in the company of others who share our passion. New people will be asked to adhere to GDPR rules and confirm that they agree to having their email addresses added to our mailing list.

Different members have evolved to have different roles e.g., the person who usually organises the room and manages the session; the person who usually takes care of this site; the person who usually organises extracurricular activities, but there is no leader or committee etc.

Our writing sessions are firstly, all about the writing and secondly, positive and encouraging. We seek out what we like in each other’s work and if we’ve nothing good to say, we say nothing.

We meet at the Writers Centre on Saturdays at 1 o’clock for a 1.30 start. the cost of the sessions is free to Writers Centre members, though some contributing between €3 and €5. The charge to non-members is €5 per session. At other venues, when the Centre is closed (for bank holiday Saturdays normally) a small charge for a room may apply.

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Creative Writing Groups at Dublin City Libraries

Like to write? Want to try? Fiction, poetry, it matters not. A little ambition can go a long way! Members of Writers' Groups meet informally to talk about their writings, improve their skills, and to offer encouragement to one another. Currently there are Writers' Groups in eight branch libraries (Ballyfermot, Ballymun, Cabra, Central Library, Donaghmede, Kevin Street, Pearse Street, Raheny). However days, dates and times vary for library to library so it is advisable to check with the relevant library in advance if interested in participating in a Writers' Group. Details are as follows:

Ballyfermot Library Writers' Group meets every second Wednesday at 6pm. Tel. 01 626 9324 or email [email protected]

Ballymun Library Writers’ Group meets every Wednesday 5pm - 7pm. Facilitator: Nancy Owens. Tel. 01 842 1890 or email [email protected] Note: Group does not meet in July or August

Cabra Library Creative Writers' Group meets on Fridays 2pm - 4pm. Tel. 01 869 1414 or email [email protected]

Central Library The Blank Page Collective meets every second Saturday 3pm - 4.45pm. New members welcome. Tel. 01 873 4333 or email [email protected]

Donaghmede Library Writers Group meets on Thursday 6.30pm. New members welcome Tel. 01848 2833 or email [email protected]

Kevin Street Creative Writing Group is meeting at Greenside House, Cuffe Street while Kevin Street Library is closed for refurbishment. It meets every Thursday 2pm - 4pm. Contact facilitator Dean Johnston E: [email protected]

Pearse Street Library Creative Writing Group meets on the second and fourth Thursday of the month, 6pm to 7.45pm Tel. 01 674 4888 or email [email protected] for further details Note: Group does not meet in July or August

Raheny Library Creative Writing Group meets twice a month on Wednesdays at 6.30pm. Tel. 01 831 5521 or email [email protected]

>> Find out more

Untold Stories of American History

Explore the lives of little-known changemakers who left their mark on the country

History | Updated: March 20, 2024 | Originally Published: March 7, 2016

Eight Secret Societies You Probably Haven’t Heard Of

Many of these selective clubs peaked in popularity in the 18th and 19th centuries

Jackie Mansky ; Updated by Sonja Anderson

By their very name, secret societies inspire curiosity, fascination and distrust. When, for example, news broke that Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia spent his final hours in February 2016 with members of a secret society for elite hunters, people naturally wanted to know more about the group.

It’s not uncommon for public figures to be involved in selective societies, many of which have deep historical roots. Scalia’s fraternity, the International Order of St. Hubertus , was instituted by Austro-Hungarian Count Franz Anton Sporck in 1695 and named after St. Hubert , a hunter who once saw a golden cross between the horns of a stag. Hubert heeded the divine message and thereafter chose a life of piety. Sporck’s order aimed “to honor St. Hubert’s memory and to promote responsible hunting and wildlife conservation,” according to its official website . After the organization denied membership to Nazis, Adolf Hitler dissolved it , but the order re-emerged after World War II, and an American chapter was founded in the late 1960s.

The order is one of many clandestine organizations that exist today, though the popularity of these secret clubs peaked in the 18th and 19th centuries. Back then, these societies served as safe spaces for open dialogue about everything from academia to religious discourse, removed from the restrictive eye of the church and state. As Noah Shachtman wrote for Wired in 2012:

These societies were the incubators of democracy, modern science and ecumenical religion. They elected their own leaders and drew up constitutions to govern their operations. It wasn’t an accident that Voltaire, George Washington and Ben Franklin were all active members. And just like today’s networked radicals, much of their power was wrapped up in their ability to stay anonymous and keep their communications secret.

The emphasis on secrecy inspired much distrust in the exclusive clubs. No less than the New York Times weighed in on secret societies in 1880, not wholly dismissing the theory that Freemasonry “brought about the Civil War and acquitted President [Andrew] Johnson and … has committed or concealed crimes without number.” The Times added, “This able theory of Freemasonry is not so readily believed as the theory that the European secret societies are the ruling power in Europe, but there are still many people as yet outside of the lunatic asylum who firmly believe it.”

Many religious leaders felt at the very least conflicted about secret orders. In April 1887, the Reverend Thomas De Witt Talmage gave a sermon on “the moral effect of Freemasonry, Odd Fellowship, Knights of Labor, Greek Alphabet and other societies.” The reverend, who said he had “hundreds of personal friends who belong to” secret orders, cited Proverbs 25:9 —“discover not a secret to another”—when asking his audience whether being a member of a secret society would be a positive or negative decision for them. In March 1892, James Cardinal Gibbons took a more definitive stand on secret orders, saying they had “no possible excuse for … existence.”

The national uproar against secret societies led one concerned group to create an annual Anti-Secret Society Convention . In 1869, at a convention in Chicago, attendees went after the “ secular press .” The organization’s secretary said that journalists “either approved or ignored secret societies,” while “few religious papers have spunk enough to come out for Christ in opposition to Masonry.” But by 1892, the convention, which deemed clandestine clubs an “evil to society and a menace to our civil institutions,” had failed to “secure them anything but strong denunciation,” the Pittsburgh Dispatch reported.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Masons Of California (@masonsofca)

In recent years, Dan Brown , author of The Da Vinci Code , and other novelists have shined a light on some of the bigger secret fraternal organizations, like the Order of Skull and Bones , the Freemasons , the Rosicrucian Order and the Illuminati . But other lesser-known groups have compelling stories, too. Here are just a few.

The Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World

Around the turn of the 19th century, two Black men in Cincinnati were denied admission to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World , an organization founded in 1868 with the goal of serving those in need. Barred from membership, Arthur James Riggs and Benjamin Franklin Howard decided to create their own order.

Formally named the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World , the new organization was once at the center of the United States’ Black community. In 1907, the Seattle Republican wrote, “It is claimed by the members and officers thereof that it is one of the most thriving secret societies among Afro-Americans of this city.” During the era of segregation, the local Elks lodge was “one of the few places … [where] Black men and women could socialize,” the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported in 2003.

Today, the society continues to sponsor educational scholarship programs, youth summer computer literacy camps and parades, as well as community service activities around the world. The original Order of Elks also remains active. Following questions raised about its discriminatory admission practices , the group now allows any American citizen who is at least 21 years old and believes in God to apply to join its ranks.

The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland

The Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland , more commonly known as the Orange Order, derives its name from William of Orange , a Protestant prince who later ruled over Britain and Ireland with his wife, Mary. The order was founded in 1795 , after the Battle of the Diamond , a clash between Catholics and Protestants outside of Loughgall, a small village in modern-day Northern Ireland. Its purpose was to protect Protestants, who were the majority in Ireland’s northern provinces but were outnumbered by Catholics in the rest of the country.

By the mid-19th century, secret societies were banned in Ireland , with an 1823 act declaring such groups “an unlawful combination and confederacy.” Given this prohibition, George William Frederick Villiers , the lord lieutenant of Ireland, attracted the ire of the Waterford News for supporting the Orange Order in 1849. The paper wrote, “Lord Clarendon has been holding communication with an illegal society in Dublin for upwards of ten days. The Grand Orange Lodge, with its secret signs and passwords , has been plotting with His Excellency during the whole of that period. This may seem strange, but it is a fact.”

The Grand Orange Lodge is still active today , with clubs in Northern Ireland and around the world. Members nicknamed “ Orangemen ” hold marches every year to mark William and Mary’s victory over the Catholic James II during the Glorious Revolution of 1688. Per the Irish Times , these celebrations are contentious, with Northern Ireland’s “predominantly Catholic nationalist community [viewing them] as a provocative display of triumphalism.”

Prospective members of the order must be adult men who affirm their acceptance of the principles of the Protestant Reformation . Responding to the question of whether the order is “anti-Roman Catholic,” the group’s website states, “Orangeism is a positive rather than a negative force. It wishes to promote the reformed faith based on the infallible word of God—the Bible. Orangeism does not foster resentment or intolerance. Condemnation of religious ideology is directed against church doctrine and not against individual adherents or members.”

The Odd Fellows

The exact origins of the Odd Fellows (also known as Oddfellows) have faded into history, but the website of a North Carolina branch of the altruistic society states that several chapters existed in England by the 18th century. “The lodges were originally formed by workingmen for social purposes, and for giving the brethren aid and assisting them to obtain employment when out of work,” the website notes.

The story of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, an offshoot of the Odd Fellows movement, centers on the future George IV of England, then Prince of Wales. According to an 1867 article in the Daily Evening Telegraph , George was initially a member of the Freemasons , the oldest fraternal order in the world. He reportedly wanted a relative to be admitted to the society without having to endure the lengthy initiation process, but this request was emphatically denied. George then left the Freemasons, declaring he would establish a group “which in time should rival in numbers and influence the one which had shown him such little deference.”

The Odd Fellows spread to the United States in the early 19th century . In addition to George, the society counts such notables as British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, showman P.T. Barnum and U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt among its alumni. Membership is grounded in the ideals of friendship, love and truth. Interestingly, real skeletons appear in the order’s lodges; they are used during initiation to remind members of their mortality, the Washington Post reported in 2001.

The Knights of Pythias

Government employee Justus H. Rathbone founded the Knights of Pythias in Washington, D.C. in 1864. He felt that the U.S.—then embroiled in the Civil War—needed an organization that practiced “ brotherly love .” Rathbone named his order after the Greek legend of Damon and Pythias , a tale of personal sacrifice for the purpose of friendship. The group was the first fraternal order to be chartered by an act of Congress, after review by President Abraham Lincoln. The Knights of Pythias’ colors are blue, yellow and red, signifying friendship, charity and benevolence, respectively .

The Ancient Order of Foresters

Known today as the Foresters Friendly Society , this group was established in England as the Ancient Order of Foresters in 1834. According to the society’s website , founding members organized to help people “as they walked through the forests of life,” establishing a communal system of funding reminiscent of the unemployment insurance programs or labor unions seen today. “Back then, members recognized that by paying a few pence a week into a common fund, they would be able to offer sick pay and funeral grants when needed,” the website notes.

By 1874, the society’s American and Canadian branches had left the organization to set up the Independent Order of the Foresters . Candidates hoping to be admitted to the club had to “pass satisfactorily [an] examination by a competent physician, who is himself bound by his connection with the order,” the Boston Weekly Globe wrote in 1879. Modern chapters of the society provide financial benefits for their members, who also engage in social and community service.

The Ancient Order of United Workmen

Mechanic John Jordan Upchurch founded the Ancient Order of United Workmen in Meadville, Pennsylvania, in 1868, with the goal of improving conditions for working-class Americans, many of whom were moving from rural farms to urban areas and lacked a support system. Members were white men between the ages of 21 and 50, who met to listen to lectures, encourage research and the arts, and discuss news.

Like the Foresters, the order set up insurance for its members. When one died, each brother contributed a dollar to the family of the deceased. That group donation would eventually be capped at $2,000 .

The Ancient Order of United Workmen is no longer around , but its legacy survives, as the group unintentionally created a new kind of insurance that led other fraternal organizations to add an insurance provision to their constitutions.

The Patriotic Order Sons of America

The Patriotic Order Sons of America dates back to 1847. Following in the footsteps of the Sons of Liberty and the Order of United Americans , the group became one of the “most progressive, most popular, most influential, as well as strongest patriotic organizations” in the U.S., the Pennsylvania-based Allentown Leader wrote in 1911.

How progressive the order actually was is up for debate. In 1891, the organization refused to remove the word “white” from its constitution, defeating a proposition that would allow Black men to apply for admission. According to the order’s website , membership is now open to “all native-born or naturalized American male citizens, 16 years and older, who believe in their country and its institutions, who desire to perpetuate free government, and who wish to encourage a brotherly feeling among Americans, to the end that we may exalt our country in our work of fellowship and love.”

The Molly Maguires

During the 1870s, 24 coal mine foremen and supervisors turned up dead in Pennsylvania under suspicious circumstances. The alleged killers? The Molly Maguires , a secret society with roots in Ireland. Assembled in the U.S. by Irish immigrants, the group was named after Molly Maguire , an Irish widow who protested the theft of Irish land by the English in the 1840s. After immigrating to the U.S., many Irish people were forced to work in the dangerous mining industry . The story goes that the Molly Maguires emerged to fight for the rights of Irish coal miners; when mining leaders threatened their strikes, they retaliated with violence.

The group was finally undone by James McParland , an undercover detective with the famed Pinkerton Detective Agency . McParland infiltrated the society’s ranks on behalf of the mining companies. In large part due to his testimony, 20 Molly Maguires were hanged between 1877 and 1879. Their executions have since been characterized as unjust products of anti-Irish prejudice. In 1979, the governor of Pennsylvania issued a posthumous pardon to the group’s leader, John Kehoe .

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Jackie Mansky | | READ MORE

Jacqueline Mansky is a freelance writer and editor living in Los Angeles. She was previously the assistant web editor, humanities, for Smithsonian magazine.

Sonja Anderson | READ MORE

Sonja Anderson is a writer and reporter based in New York City.