Information for Parents

What is Fighting Words?

Fighting Words is a creative writing organisation and registered charity that provides free workshops and other programmes for young people aged 6-17, as well as for adults with additional needs. 

Our programmes are designed and run by our staff and team of writing mentors, including experienced practitioners in all areas of creative writing - from prose to poetry, from songwriting to playwriting and everything in between. Workshops are interactive and fun with an emphasis on providing individual support and encouragement as young writers explore their imaginations.

What kind of programmes does Fighting Words offer?

During the school year, Fighting Words focuses on workshops for primary school and secondary school students. Please click here to find out more about those programmes.

My child just finished a workshop at Fighting Words with their class.  Where can I find their story?

All stories created at our Story Writing workshops for primary schools are published on the School Stories page.

Does Fighting Words offer workshops outside of the classroom?

Yes! We also offer evening and weekend programmes on an occasional basis to a variety of age groups. These programmes are announced on our website, on social media and via our Parent Mailing List.
You can join our Parent Mailing List by clicking here.

What programmes do you offer over the summer?

During July and August, Fighting Words offers FREE summer camps at our Dublin centre for young writers aged 8-17.

Our camps are aimed at a variety of age groups and focus on a different aspect of writing each week. Past camps have focused on playwriting, graphic fiction, animation, poetry and shadow puppets.

Camps run over three or four days, depending on the age range, and are run by experienced practitioners supported by our team of volunteer mentors, so your young writer will receive a lot of support and individual attention. Our camps are creative, highly interactive and a lot of fun!

How do I sign my child up for summer camps?

Our summer programme is announced in late May or early June via our Parent Mailing List, the website and social media, and we invite applications for registrations at that time. 

Please note that our camps are VERY popular so places are allocated using a lottery system to ensure fairness.  

Please email info@fightingwords.ie if you have any questions about summer camps and click below to join our Parent Mailing List

Where do Fighting Words workshops take place?

Fighting Words offers workshops on a weekly basis in three locations:

• Dublin - Behan Square, 12-16 Russell Street, Dublin 1.
• Wicklow -  Mermaid Arts Centre, Main Street, Bray, Co. Wicklow
• Conamara - Ionad Cultúrtha an Phiarsigh, Ros Muc, Co. na Gaillimh

We also offer workshops at locations with partner organisations like libraries, arts centres and theatres at locations all over Ireland. Click here to find a Fighting Words centre in your area!

Who runs workshops at Fighting Words?

Our workshops are run by teams of volunteer writing mentors, supervised by Fighting Words staff using our fun and interactive formats. Specialist workshops are delivered by experienced practitioners in a variety of fields, such as playwriting, graphic fiction, short stories and more.

All programming is focused on supporting children and young people to tell their own stories in their own voice and at their own pace. There is never a focus on spelling or grammar. The content is decided by the participants, with advice and guidance from the Fighting Words team.

How do you recruit and train your volunteer mentors?

At Fighting Words, your child’s safety comes first. 

All our volunteer mentors are subject to Garda vetting (renewed every three years), interviews and reference checks. They are also required to attend training sessions in our workshop formats and child protection. 

While our mentors come from all walks of life, all of them are motivated by a love of working with children and young people in a creative environment and fostering creativity.

How can I encourage my child’s love of writing at home?

By encouraging them to write and keep writing! Practicing regularly and focusing on ideas rather than format, spelling or structure can help children to start writing and keep writing.

You can also watch our videos with tips from our team about writing short stories, songs and poetry, both in English and in Irish.

How can I submit my child’s work to be published on the Fighting Words website?

Yes! We welcome stories from children aged 6-12 for publication on the website and social media. Head to After School Stories for full submission guidelines, term and conditions.

Writers aged 13-18 are welcome to join Write Club. We publish work produced at Write Club on a regular basis in our online literary journal, Analecta.

How can I, as an adult, get involved with Fighting Words?

The best way is to join our volunteer team! Volunteering is flexible and fun, with no minimum time commitment.

Click on the links below to find out more:

• Become a Volunteer Writing Mentor at our workshops and help children and young people to tell their stories.
• Do you have specialist skills in editing, graphic design, animation or a related field? Join our Creative Cohort.
• Support young imaginative writers by supporting Fighting Words. Click here to find out how to donate on a single or ongoing basis.

More Information & Links

• Find your child's class story in the School Stories section of Stories and Creative Work
• Find the work created at summer camps in Stories and Creative Work
• Find out more about Write Club, our online club for teen writers
• We publish stories by kids - we call them After School Stories. Click to find out more, including the submission guidelines.
• Do you have a child in Transition Year - or going into Transition Year? Learn more about our Transition Year Work Experience programme.
• To join our Parent Mailing List for information about events and summer camps complete the form below;

I have another question. How can I contact you?

For more information or any other queries, you may have, please contact us at info@fightingwords.ie and a member of the team will respond to you as soon as possible.

You can also ring the office in Dublin on +353 (1)894 4576.