News
New voices in Irish writing: UCC students publish Focal Archive
.jpg)
- The project features contributions from 21 students in this year’s MA Creative Writing at UCC.
Creative Writing MA students at University College Cork (UCC) have launched Focal Archive, a curated collection of writing that celebrates the power of language and the many forms it takes.
Produced over the course of a semester, the archive is a collaborative effort by a group of writers from a wide range of backgrounds and interests, united by a shared commitment to the written word.
The Creative Writing MA students recently hosted a lunchtime reading at Mercier Press bookshop in St Luke’s. From poetry and flash fiction to autofiction and short stories, the event offered a taste of what the archive holds.
The featured readers and their work included:
- James Carroll – The Very Heavy Man
- Nic Desborough – Frequently Flying
- Niamh Ní Dhea – #toddlermom
- Angelia D’Souza – smokelong
- Beatriz Capelo Ramos – The Moon and the Cross
- John O'Boyle – Redacted
All works are available to read in full for free on www.focalarchive.com
In addition to their published pieces, Nic Desborough shared new creative non-fiction in progress, while John O’Boyle read a new poem. The writers took part in informal Q&As, discussing everything from creative influences to their writing processes.
Clare Bohane, writer and MA in Creative Writing student, MC-ed the event and said: “We couldn’t have asked for a better audience at our reading - engaged, supportive, and interested. A big thank you as well to authors Mary Morrissy and Louise Hegarty for joining us; having them in the room meant a lot to all of us. We’re so grateful to Mercier Press for hosting us.”
Danny Denton, Interim Director of Creative Writing at UCC, said: “Focal Archive is more than just a collection of work by our Creative Writing students, it’s a record of a shared journey. It captures the creativity, experimentation, and growth that has taken place over the year. It’s a great credit to our students; they have created something thoughtful, ambitious, and lasting.”
View www.focalarchive.com
Masters in Creative Writing
UCC’s MA in Creative Writing supports emerging writers to develop their craft and connect with Ireland’s vibrant literary community. The programme combines core modules in fiction, poetry, and memoir with guest workshops led by acclaimed authors and publishing professionals. Taught by leading experts in creative writing, the MA also provides dedicated time and space for students to focus on their writing alongside a supportive community of peers.
Learn more about UCC’s MA in Creative Writing