Madam, – We are mystified at the recent decision of the Arts Council to eliminate funding to the Irish Writers’ Centre.
Since being appointed, Cathal McCabe, along with his team, has done tremendous and innovative work at the centre.
In addition to organising workshops, book launches, creative writing courses and other literary events involving writers from Ireland and as far afield as the USA, the Czech Republic and the Middle East, they have also overseen the renovation of the premises, returning it to its former glory.
Most importantly, the IWC runs the annual Glen Dimplex Awards, which offer unprecedented support to new and emerging writers in a number of genres.
For many years, the IWC has been home to organisations such as the Irish Writers’ Union, the Dublin Women Writers’ Group and the Irish Translators’ and Interpreters’ Association.
This has served to strengthen the links between the centre and literary artists not only at home but also abroad through the translation of Irish works of literature.
The decision to cut funding will be detrimental to the good work that has been done over the years and may even force the centre to close its doors.
We suggest that a reversal of this decision would be in the best interests of Irish literature at home and abroad. — Yours, etc,
Dr ANNETTE SCHILLER,
Chairperson,
Irish Translators’ and
Interpreters’ Association,
Irish Writers’ Centre,
19 Parnell Square,
Dublin 1.