Dear Stonecoasters:

You are cordially invited to apply for the July 2014 Stonecoast in Ireland (SCI) residency.  Here are the details:

WHEN? The summer SCI residency will run from 9-16 July 2014.

WHERE: We will gather in Dingle, a spot National Geographic called “the most beautiful place in the world.”  Dingle is a lively seaside village with superb traditional music, located on a mountainous peninsula on the stunningly scenic west coast of Ireland.  Students and faculty will stay together in the elegant Coastline Guesthouse, right on the harbor and a short walk to town. Come see why Ireland has inspired so many wonderful writers over the past century.

DEADLINE: Applications must be emailed as MSW attachments to SCI coordinator Ted Deppe by 11:59 p.m. (your time zone) Monday, 18 November 2013.

WHO’S ON THE FACULTY IN JULY 2014? Stonecoast’s David Mura and Ted Deppe will be joined by prominent Irish writers, to be named later on this winter. During the program’s first sixteen residencies, visitors have included Irish writers Paul Durcan, Claire Keegan, Harry Clifton, Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin, Theo Dorgan, Kate Newmann, Kevin Barry, Dermot Bolger, Paula Meehan, Gabriel Fitzmaurice, Sinéad Morrissey, Carlo Gébler, Anthony Glavin, Deirdre Madden, Eamon Grennan, Hugo Hamilton, Joan Newmann, Tony Curtis, Nuala Ní Chonchúir, Martin Malone, and Macdara Woods; Pulitzer Prize winner Stephen Dunn; traditional storyteller Liz Weir; Trinity College professor emeritus Vincent McBrierty; actors Seán Coyne and Tegolin Knowland; and traditional musicians Áine Uí Laoith and Eilín Ní Chearna.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Any Stonecoast student who will not be attending his or her first residency in July 2014 may apply.  Fifth-residency students and alumni may also apply to fill any spots that are not taken by continuing students.

HOW ARE STUDENTS SELECTED? We will accept ten Stonecoast students. Seniority is an important factor in selecting students, but we also consider balancing workshops and creating a harmonious group.  The spots on the roster are filled first with continuing students, but if there is space available we are happy to have fifth-residency students and alumni join us.  We hope to decide on the roster and notify applicants by the end of November.

WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT? You will be totally immersed in Irish literature and the beautiful Irish landscape. While offering a unique cultural opportunity, residencies in Ireland also maintain the same rigorous academic discipline as the Stonecoast program in Maine. A full schedule of workshops, seminars, and readings are supplemented by a field trip, which in the past has included trips to the Great Blasket Island, site of an astonishing literary renaissance during the first half of the 20th century.  Students are encouraged to arrive early or stay late, so they can explore Ireland and/or Europe.

WHAT DOES IT COST? Tuition is the same as in Maine. Because of the dollar’s slide against the euro, the cost for room and board is $85 more than in Maine. Students are responsible for their own airfare.

WHO CAN I WORK WITH FOR THE FALL SEMESTER? Students can request to work with mentors from the full Stonecoast faculty for the Fall 2014 term, whether or not the faculty member is in Maine or Ireland in July.

HOW DO I APPLY? Contact Ted Deppe for an application Theodore.Deppe@maine.edu and submit before midnight (your time zone) on Monday 18 November 2013.  If you have any problem creating a MSW (.doc or .docx) file, feel free to type the relevant information from the application into an email and send it to the same address.

HERE’S WHAT STUDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN THERE SAY: “Stonecoast in Ireland has been the most amazing experience of my writing life”… “Superb!”… “Transformative”…“Absolutely loved it and feel so lucky to have had this opportunity.  Not only is the location fantastic, the opportunity to work in such a small group and work so closely with faculty and visiting presenters is wonderful” … “Life-changing”…“An intense experience and immersion into Irish writing and culture.  It’s perfect!”

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON STONECOAST IN IRELAND, CHECK OUT THE STONECOAST WEBSITE, OR CONTACT

Ted Deppe, Stonecoast in Ireland Coordinator

Renvyle, County Galway, Ireland

Email: Theodore.deppe@maine.edu