West Cork-based writer emerges successful at prestigious international initiative

Clonakilty-based writer Paul McMahon has been named as one of the winners of the Irish Writers Centre International Debut Novel Competition 2026.

Originally from West Belfast and now living in Cork, he is a poet and playwright whose work has received numerous national and international awards, while his latest play was developed with The Abbey Theatre.

The 12 winning writers, selected from 804 submissions from writers across 38 countries, will now have the opportunity to skip the traditional publishing queue, pitching their debut novels directly to leading publishers and literary agents during two dedicated pitch days in September.

During these exclusive sessions, the writers will pitch their work either face-to-face or over Zoom with some of the publishing industry's leading decision-makers.

Mags McLoughlin, CEO of the Irish Writers Centre, said: “As we celebrate 35 years of the Irish Writers Centre, it feels especially fitting to continue investing in the next generation of writers.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of this competition is seeing writers progress from pitching an unpublished manuscript to celebrating the publication of their debut novel.”