As a result of the tremendous success of the exhibition and performance event at South London Irish Centre, in the summer and by popular demand we will be holding a similar event in Manchester at the end of November.

WRITING CALL-OUT: THE IRISH NATION

Irish Mancunian invite all writers, beginners as well as the more experienced, to submit original pieces of writing inspired by a mosaic from the pieces on this website.  These mosaics were created by world-renowned mosaic artist Mark Kennedy. Each mosaic installation depicts an iconic Irish figure and is part of the Irish Nation Collection:

Images of the individual mosaics can be found on the Installations Page on this website.

Up to ten pieces of writing will be selected for performance at An Afternoon of Music and New Writing to accompany an exhibition of the mosaics at St John’s Centre, Chequers Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, M21 9DL, on Sunday 29th November 2026. (Further details to follow).

Submission Guidelines 

• Any type of writing is acceptable: the only condition is that the stimulus is one of the people depicted in the mosaics. It could be fiction or non-fiction. It could be a short story; a poem; a monologue (about the character in question, or spoken directly by them); an essay; or any other format you can think of.

• The piece of writing must not exceed 500 words, including the title.  Anything longer than this limit will not be accepted.

• If you would like to provide some explanatory background to the piece, please provide an introduction – this can be up to 50 words. This may be read out in addition to any successful entry.

• Entries will be judged anonymously; therefore, the writer’s name or any identifying feature, must not appear anywhere on the piece or introduction.

• Email entries to submissionirishnation@gmail.com . Please provide the piece of writing (with optional introduction) in a Word or PDF document. Provide your name and contact details in the email.

• Entries should be received by Friday 6th November 2026.

• Up to ten pieces will be selected for performance at the event. Successful writers will be contacted by mid-November.

• The performance will take place on Sunday 29th November. Further details to follow.

• Good luck!

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  In conjunction with
  
  

  
  In 2027 we are delighted to announce that The Irish Nation Mosaic Art Trail will be moving to Dublin.

  We have partnered up with The Five Lamps Arts Festival in Dublin to create a full art trail across fantastic cultural spaces throughout the city centre in February and March 2027. Then in April 2027 the mosaics will be exhibited together in the Sean O’Casey Centre in Dublin City Centre culminating in another new writing performance in mid April in the Sean O’Casey Theatre.

  Further details will follow in due course.