December University welcomes creative writer and digital artist residencies 2026

University of Galway has announced the recipients of its Writer in Residence and Digital Artist in Residence awards for 2026.

Creative Writer in Residence, Nicole Flattery and Digital Artist in Residence, Jane Cassidy will take up their positions at University of Galway in early 2026.

Westmeath author and short story writer, Nicole Flattery is best known for her award-winning short story collection, Show Them A Good Time and her debut novel Nothing Special, as well as being a literary critic and podcaster.

Jane Cassidy is a multidisciplinary artist and educator from Galway. Trained in music and digital media, Jane's main interests lie in audio-visual immersive environments, visual music and synaesthesia.

Both artists’ work reflects the diversity and richness of Ireland’s creative landscape through literature and digital arts.  

The awards, which are jointly funded by the Arts Council and the University, provide artists with dedicated workspaces and vital finances to develop their work, acquire resources and further Ireland’s vibrant creative scene.

Dr John Kenny, Director of the BA in English and Creative Writing, School of English, Media and Creative Arts, University of Galway, said: “Our ongoing partnership with the Arts Council for this Residency has been of tremendous benefit to our Creative Writing programmes in the School. It brings additional cutting-edge literary talent into our classrooms, and it inspires our students and wider learning communities on campus and in the Galway region, by highlighting the new presence of a writer who will be engaging in their own artistic practice while spending the year developing creative ideas and conversations with us.

“Nicole Flattery has featured previously as a practitioner-teacher in the Department of English, and we are thrilled to be welcoming her back for the coming year. Nicole is one of the major internationally recognised artists of literary prose among the younger generations of Irish writers, and she is also a highly esteemed literary critic and podcaster. We look forward to working with her as she finishes her next book and fosters her own inventive approach to this Residency.”

This year marks a particularly exciting opportunity for Digital Artists, who have, for the first time, been included in the programme through pilot residencies.

Dr Conn Holohan, Director of the Centre for Creative Technologies, University of Galway, said: “We are delighted to welcome Jane Cassidy to the Centre for Creative Technologies as the University of Galway Digital Artist in Residence. Jane’s commitment to co-creation and inclusive digital arts practice resonates strongly with the ethos and activities of the Centre. We are particularly excited about the opportunities this residency creates for students, academic researchers, and the wider creative community to engage directly with Jane’s work through workshops, co-creative projects, and public events, expanding access to the digital arts across the campus and beyond.”

The Artists in Residencies programme is a cornerstone of the Arts Council’s commitment to fostering artistic excellence and enriching educational environments.

Maura McGrath, Chair of the Arts Council, said: “As Chair of the Arts Council, I am delighted to congratulate the new Artists in Residence across our universities. These programmes support artists to deepen their practice while bringing fresh creative energy into teaching, research and campus life. By connecting students and staff with professional artists, they spark new ideas and show how creativity can enrich every discipline. We are very grateful to our university partners for their ongoing commitment to these residencies.”

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