The Lir Academy is offering a scholarship (full tuition fees paid) on the prestigious MFA Playwriting degree (full-time) thanks to the generous sponsorship from Janet and James Curley, donated in tribute to Janet Curley’s mother Patricia Leggett.

In order to apply for the scholarship, applicants must

• Be qualified to degree level
• Be resident in Ireland or Northern Ireland

Applications in the form of a cover letter, CV and a 45 minute play (reading time) must be submitted to info@thelir.ie. Shortlisted applicants will be asked to attend an interview at The Lir Academy, Pearse Street, Dublin. The successful applicant will take up a place on the MFA Playwriting degree at The Lir Academy on a full-time basis.

Appearing in the Irish Independent on the last Saturday of each month, New Irish Writing is an opportunity open to writers who are Irish or resident of Ireland.

Stories submitted should not exceed 2,000 words. Up to four poems may be submitted. There is no entry fee. Writers whose work is selected will receive €120 for fiction and €60 for poetry. You can email your entry, preferably as a Word document, to newirishwriting@independent.ie.

Please make sure to include your name, address and contact number, as well as a brief biographical paragraph. Only writers who have yet to publish their first book can be considered.