Local Writers Selected for Irish Writers Centre’s National Mentoring Programme 2025
19th June 2025: Kildare County Council is pleased to announce that two local writers, Colette Byrne and Doghouse O’Reilly, have been chosen for the Irish Writers Centre’s prestigious National Mentoring Programme 2025. This follows an exceptional response to the nationwide callout, which attracted 354 applicants. Each selected writer will receive one-to-one mentoring from an established writer, offering invaluable creative and professional guidance over the coming months.
Kildare County Council Arts Service, along with the Arts Council, funded the mentorships to ensure that the chosen awardees receive this potentially career-changing support free of charge. This initiative is also an investment in the long-term literary reputation of the region.
Colette Byrne who lives in County Kildare with her wife Ellen, has an impressive academic background with a B.Sc. Hons., along with a Dip. App. Soc. Sc. from the Open University, graduating from Queens University, Belfast, an MSW from NUI Galway and a Certificate in Creative Writing for Publication from MU Maynooth.
Colette’s debut novel is titled REDIFINING and her previous publications include ‘LGBT Diversity: Implications for Probation Practice’, Irish Probation Journal and Google Scholar. Her roles in youth, probation work and senior social work, influence her fiction writing which focuses on marginalised characters and criminality, reflecting the sociological question: in whose interest?
Doghouse O'Reilly is a single father of two young boys, who are the inspiration behind his work. His writing explores the complexities of fatherhood, often delving into the darker and more uncanny aspects of family life. Influenced by authors like Kevin Barry and Martin McDonagh, O'Reilly's work is marked by its experimental style and emotional depth. His current project, a collection of interlinking short stories, navigates themes of family love, pain, and co-parenting, relationship breakdown and courts, drawing praise for its raw honesty and literary merit.
Upon receiving news of the award, Colette Byrne said: “In gaining this space as a mentee of the Irish Writers Centre National Mentoring programme 2025, I hope to achieve a deeper understanding of the world of publishing, a positive working relationship with my mentor and my local arts centre. “
Doghouse O’Reilly commented: “From the mentoring programme I hope to get a sharper eye on my stories and sculpt a collection which is of the highest standard, hard fought and undeniable.”
Eláine Donnelly, Acting Arts Officer, Kildare County Council added: "Our partnership with The Irish Writers Centre reflects our ongoing dedication to enhancing the professional development of artists throughout the county. This programme presents a wonderful opportunity to celebrate local writers and provide them with resources to develop their practice and professional network. Kildare County Council Arts Service is delighted to support Colette Byrne and Doghouse O’Reilly as the selected participants for 2025.”
Since its founding in 1991, the Irish Writers Centre’s mission has been to support the life of the writer, those whose ideas and words illuminate and influence the culture around us. Now in its eighth year, the National Mentoring Programme (NMP) has become one of the most significant supports for emerging and mid-career writers across Ireland. Run by the Irish Writers Centre – the country’s leading organisation for writer development – the initiative plays a crucial role in shaping Ireland’s literary landscape, by nurturing talent at pivotal stages in a writer’s journey.
The impact of the National Mentoring Programme is evident in the success of its alumni, many of whom have gone on to be published and widely celebrated. Past mentees include Doireann Ní Ghríofa, Nidhi Zak/Aria Eipe, Fíona Scarlett, Will Keohane and Victoria Kennefick – all of whom are now recognised names in Irish writing.
