A version of this article appeared in the Donegal Post on Wednesday 21 June 2017. (Photo: Seán Love, Executive Director of Fighting Words; Tom Sigafoos; and Conor Carney, Principal, Holy Family National School, Ballyshannon)

“It seemed daft, in a country that prides itself in being a land of writers, that so little time was dedicated to creative writing.”

At a June12 meeting in Ballyshannon’s Holy Family National School, Seán Love, Executive Director of Fighting Words, described how he and Co-Founder Roddy Doyle sensed a great opportunity in 2009 to launch a creative writing programme that is branching into every corner of Ireland. “Regional programmes are now springing up,” Love added, “in communities of all sizes and descriptions – Glencree in Wicklow, Castlebar in Mayo, Clarenbridge in Galway, not to mention Belfast and Cork. It’s great to see the interest that’s sparking in Ballyshannon.”

Speaking to a group of…