Writers in Schools Scheme

The Writers in Schools Scheme part-funds visits by writers and storytellers to primary and post-primary schools throughout the island of Ireland, funded by the Arts Council (Republic of Ireland) and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, and administered by Poetry Ireland. Schools pay €100/£85 toward the standard 2-hour visit fee, with Poetry Ireland funding the balance of the writer's fee plus travel expenses; the scheme has connected over 500,000 children with writers since 1977.

Grant range: Up to €200 / £170
Funding level: 50%
Support type: Voucher
Last checked: 4 Sept 2026

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About this scheme

The Writers in Schools Scheme is one of Ireland's longest-running arts-in-education programmes, established in 1977. Funded by the Arts Council (for the Republic of Ireland) and the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, and administered by Poetry Ireland, it part-funds visits by writers and storytellers to primary and post-primary schools across the island of Ireland. Schools select a writer from the Writers in Schools Web-Directory, which lists over 250 poets, novelists, storytellers, teen fiction writers, children's writers, playwrights, spoken word poets, and screenwriters. A standard visit is 2 hours, costing the school €100/£85; Poetry Ireland funds the remaining half of the writer's fee plus travel expenses. Longer 4-hour visits (total cost €200/£170) may be approved for special projects. Since 1977, the scheme has given more than 500,000 children the opportunity to work closely with writers in the classroom. Writers apply on an ongoing basis via Poetry Ireland's website; schools can book visits year-round.

Who can apply

Writers must be individual authors/artists working in an eligible literary field (poets, novelists, storytellers, teen fiction writers, children's writers, playwrights, spoken word poets, or screenwriters) and must fulfil Poetry Ireland's artistic/literary eligibility criteria
Writers must complete Poetry Ireland's recruitment procedure, including an induction and training programme and compliance with Writers in Schools Guidelines for the Protection & Welfare of Children & Young People, before being enlisted on the Writers in Schools directory
Schools booking a visit must be primary or post-primary schools located on the island of Ireland (Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland)
Meeting the literary eligibility criteria does not guarantee acceptance onto the directory, as recruitment is also limited by available budget and the specific mix of visit types/skills schools are seeking

How to apply

For writers: review the artistic/literary eligibility criteria published by Poetry Ireland and complete the online application form (available via poetryireland.ie/education/information-for-writers)
Successful applicants undertake Poetry Ireland's induction, training, and child-protection compliance procedures before being added to the Writers in Schools directory
For schools: browse the Writers in Schools Web-Directory (over 250 writers and storytellers) and select a writer whose work suits the school's needs
School and writer agree a visit (standard 2 hours, or a 4-hour visit for special projects where approved)
The school pays its portion of the writer's fee (€100/£85 for a standard visit) directly to Poetry Ireland/the writer as directed, with Poetry Ireland covering the balance of the fee plus travel expenses
Applications for school visits are accepted on an ongoing, first-come first-served basis throughout the year