We’re inviting you to join us in the Abbey Bar to do your day’s writing work here, in community with other theatre artists. Pen to paper. Fingers to keyboard. However you like to get it done.

We have a different guest playwright with us every month as a host. They are trying to write something too. They’ll take some time out for a Q&A before lunch to share reflections about their writing process, answer your questions, and talk about how they like to get it done.

This isn’t a workshop – it’s a quiet, co-working gathering that ring-fences time for you to write. There aren’t any craft exercises or sharing of work. It’s an opportunity for inspiration, solidarity and for getting your idea down on paper. It’s free and open to playwrights and performance makers of any experience level. You can be writing a play, a blurb, a funding application or a secret something you aren’t ready to talk about yet.

What to expect 

10am – 10:30am: Pick your seat, have a coffee, get comfortable and chat to your fellow writers

10:30am – 12.30pm: Quiet writing time

12:30pm – 1:30pm Q & A with our guest playwright about their writing process

1:30pm – 2:30pm: Lunch break

2:30pm – 4.30pm: Quiet writing time

Please note: This event takes place in the Abbey Bar. We have tables, chairs, high stools and benches. You’ll need to bring your laptop, and we recommend you bring it charged as plugs are limited. We’re a busy working theatre so the work space won’t be silent – this will work best for you if you like a bit of background noise while you write. The Abbey Bar is only accessible via stairs. Tickets are limited to one per person.

2026 Dates 

• May 18: Frank McGuinness
• June 15
• July 13
• August 10
• Sept 7
• October 12
• November 16
• December 7

May Guest Playwright: Frank McGuinness 

Frank McGuinness is an award-winning Irish playwright, poet, and novelist. Born in Donegal, he is Emeritus Professor of Creative Writing at University College Dublin. His adaptations of classic works have been widely acclaimed, with his version of A Doll’s House winning both a Tony Award for Best Revival and the Outer Critics’ Award.

Theatre credits include Dinner With Groucho at The Civic Tallaght, Greta Garbo Came to Donegal, There Came a Gypsy Riding at the Almeida Theatre, Speaking Like Magpies for the Royal Shakespeare Company, Mutabilitie at London’s National Theatre, The Hanging Gardens, Dolly West’s Kitchen, Someone Who’ll Watch Over Me, Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme, Baglady and The Factory Girls at the Abbey Theatre. He has also adapted classic works by Checkhov, Brecht, Ibsen, Joyce, and Oscar Wilde.

His screen credits also include A Song for Jenny, A Short Stay in Switzerland, The Stronger and Brian Friel’s Dancing at Lughnasa.