Stowe Story Labs: Connemara Writers’ Retreat

Course Profile

Screen Ireland in collaboration with Stowe Story Labs and the Galway Film Fleadh are delighted to offer subsidised placements for eight writers resident in Ireland or Irish writers abroad working with the Irish screen industries for this year's Connemara Writers' Retreat taking place at the Renvyle House Hotel, Co. Galway from 12-16 October 2026.

The writers' retreat will invite 20 participants (8 from Ireland and 12 based internationally) for a 5-day programme featuring one-on-one script note sessions with industry mentors; panel discussions and artist Q&As; structured peer group sessions; and structured social time and meal time to help develop new contacts and colleagues in film and television. One Screen Ireland Fellow will be chosen as a Galway Film Marketplace Fellow, to further develop the work brought to the retreat and then participate in the Galway Film Marketplace at the 2027 Galway Film Fleadh.

Mentors attending come from both Stowe’s established mentor pool and include several mentors from the island of Ireland as well. International mentors slated to attend include Writer/Director Melody Cooper (Power Book IV: Force, Law & Order SVU), Screenwriter Olivia Hetreed (Girl with a Pearl Earring, Wuthering Heights); Creative Producer, Amanda Livanou; Script Consultant, Karol Griffiths; and Screenwriter and Showrunner Derek Simonds (The Sinner, Call Me by Your Name). Mentors based on the Island of Ireland include Ciara Appelbe, Creative Director at O'Sullivan Productions; Conor Barry, Creative Producer at Savage Productions and Wild Atlantic Pictures; Ali Doyle, Creative Producer and Founder of Mental Pictures; Aaron Farrell, Head of Production at Shinawil; Jeanie Igoe, Creative Producer; Tim Loane, Showrunner (Committed); and Ruth Meehan, Writer/Director.

Selected participants will have their programme fees waived and accommodation and meal costs covered for the duration of the retreat.

*Please note that that the subsidised placement excludes a €10 application fee and travel costs to and from Renvyle.

This programme is supported by Screen Ireland through the Screen Stakeholders Funding Scheme.

Participant Profile

This writers' retreat is aimed at Irish writers presenting a strong story idea with a well- developed first draft of a film or TV script. Applications are open to screenwriters resident in Ireland or Irish writers abroad working with the Irish screen industries

Experience in the film and television sectors is not required, but a demonstrable capacity to do the work, an understanding of the fundamentals of screenwriting and filmmaking, and a collaborative nature are critical.

Application Procedure

Please apply on the Stowe Story Labs website by Wednesday, 12th August 2026, midnight Eastern Daylight Time.

For technical enquiries, please contact info@stowestorylabs.org