'We keep each other grounded': Cork authors on what it is like to join a writing group

If there’s one thing that Ireland does right, it’s our library service.

It’s free to join, you can borrow books and other materials, with fines for late returns a thing of the past - plus, libraries are community hubs where young and old gather to read, study, and attend events.

Cork County Libraries is also home to a range of creative writing groups. Open to anyone with an interest in writing - be they a seasoned author or someone who’s just picked up a pen - these groups meet at their local libraries across Cork to share new work, find motivation, and exchange tips about their craft.

I had always dabbled in fiction myself, but never shared my stories with anyone until I saw a sign for a new creative writing group being established in Carrigaline Library in autumn 2023.

Attending the first meeting, I was nervous about reading my work aloud to strangers, but what I found was an extremely friendly and encouraging bunch, all as passionate about writing as I am.

This Carrigaline group has evolved into the Strand Road Writers, and we still meet in the library every month.

A different member chairs each meeting, setting a prompt to inspire the group’s poetry and prose. We have also invited guest authors to host workshops and share advice from the literary world.

“Joining a writer’s group was not a shortcut to making me a great writer, but it has improved my skill,” says Bernadette Healy of the Strand Road Writers.

“Freedom to share within a group of like-minded people inspires confidence and encouragement to keep on writing.

"When I joined the Strand Road Writers, I had plenty of ideas, but struggled to find time to sit down and write. Other members have much more experience.

“I have completed two novels and would not be where I am in my writing journey without the (library group),” says Nicola Murray.

Flor McCarthy is a member of three different writing groups across Cork - each, he tells me, very different to the other. “I write because I love to write... It’s addictive, it’s fun”.

Indeed, once the writing bug bites, it can be addictive, and often just being around other writers is a huge motivating factor.

A Strand Road Writers member since its inception, Honor O’Leary first began writing during the covid-19 pandemic, inspired by her grandchildren to start a series of children’s stories.

“The support, encouragement, friendship and ideas are wonderful,” says Honor of the group, adding: “Of course there is also the important critique - we keep each other grounded.”

A stalwart of creative writing groups, Eamon O’Leary published his memoir, I’m A Big Boy Now, in 2024. Recalling his first encounter with a library group, he says: “I read a piece to the group and held my breath... They didn’t laugh or criticise. They encouraged and supported me.

“And now, some ten months later, my book has sold over 1,200 copies and counting.”

Eamon isn’t the only member to see his work in print, with Janet O’Leary recently publishing her second novel for young teenagers, The Chosen Child.

The Strand Road Writers were lucky to hear snippets of both authors’ work at meetings in advance of publication!

None of this activity would be possible without the support of the library.

Speaking about the importance of creative writing groups, Claire Jermyn, former Executive Librarian of Carrigaline Library, says: “There are many wonderful and lively creative writing groups in libraries across the county and facilitating these groups is a core part of service delivery.

“A creative writing group fosters creativity and provides a forum for individuals to express themselves through their writing.

“It also provides the opportunity to receive feedback and improve writing skills. It brings people together who have shared interests, helping to reduce isolation and build friendships.”

One important aspect of Cork County Council’s commitment to library groups is its Writer in Residence programme, which concentrates on creative writing development in five different towns across County Cork each year.

The 2025/26 Writer in Residence is novelist Leeanne O’Donnell, who says of her role: “I absolutely love it. It’s an amazing job.

“I think it’s a really good example of public money being put to good use, in that it’s supporting creativity in the community.

“It’s supporting people to connect and to share their creativity and to build their confidence.”

The talent of group participants has made a huge impression on Leeanne, who adds: “You don’t know the untapped creative potential in people on a day-to-day basis, and this has shown me how much talent there is in the community and how much creative flow and need for creative expression there is.”

Leeanne will be showcasing the work of writers in Castletownbere, Charleville, Fermoy, Macroom, and Schull at this year’s West Cork Literary Festival in Bantry Library on Monday, July 14. She will also be supporting writers from her groups to create audio recordings of their work, which will be shared across Cork County Council platforms.

For anyone wishing to set up their own creative writing group at their local library - if it doesn’t already have one - Claire Jermyn’s advice is to, as a first step, simply call in and ask if the library can help to facilitate it

I, for one, would certainly encourage this. As my fellow Strand Road writer Honor O’Leary puts it: “Writing for pleasure is wonderful, sharing it with like-minded people is lovely.”