The last of our visiting writers to the MA in Creative Writing is Canadian novelist Charles Foran, who will give a workshop to students on April 27 in conjunction with the Cork World Book Fest. Foran has published extensively in fiction, non-fiction, biography and journalism. Among his publications are the novel, Planet Lolita, a biography of Mordechai Richler, and a non-fiction account of a Belfast family’s journey through the Troubles, The Last House of Ulster.

Foran is just one of the many distinguished practitioners who have lectured on the MA this academic year. Pulitzer Prize-winning author Richard Ford kicked off the Autumn term with a masterclass for students. Leading literary agent, Ed Victor, visited to talk about pitching and promoting work. Radio dramatist Hattie Naylor, film director Carmel Winters and IMPAC award-winning novelist, Kevin Barry, all gave dedicated workshops in their field.

Script consultant Lindsay Sedgwick lectured on gaming scripts and film, while publishing editor Liz Hudson gave a masterclass on fiction editing.

Up-and-coming Irish poet Doireann Ni Ghriofa team-hosted a poetry workshop with our writer-in-residence, Leanne O’Sullivan. Other visiting poets to the campus, Matthew Hollis, Nick Laird and Vona Groarke, participants in the prestigious reading series hosted by the School of English, UCC Library and the Munster Literature Centre, met students informally to discuss craft. Students also had the opportunity to meet Scottish poet Robin Robertson and UK novelist Zadie Smith, who also read on campus this year.

In the coming year, we hope to welcome Irish Fiction Laureate Anne Enright who will give a guest workshop to students in November 2015, poet Maurice Riordan, editor of the Poetry Review and Professor of Poetry at Sheffield Hallam University, and novelist Kevin Barry, who will make a return visit to teach on the programme.