Category Archives: Summer Camps

SPARK! Summer Camp is a Multi-Arts Camp for children and teenagers.
*Music, Song Creation & Rhythm-Making (no experience necessary)
*Drama & Theatre Games
*Creative Writing (not like school though!)
*Art …and more
Ages 8-12s & 13-17s.
Next Camp August 10-14 in Gaelscoil na Cruaiche, Westport.
Contact Fiona 087 763 4339 or hq@sixpens.com.

6-Day Writing Retreat in Westport, July 1-6

Summer Camps, Writing Retreats

When, What, Where: July 1-6, 2012: SixPens Writing Workshops at Old Rectory Retreat, Knappagh (near Westport), Mayo

Take some time to develop your story in a 6-Day Writing Retreat led by writers Fiona Keane and Fin Keegan of SixPens.com
By way of crafted prompts and choice materials, Fin and Fiona stimulate writers to produce satisfyingly intense and meaningful stories, short (flash fiction) to long (the novel). The environment is supportive and progress-orientated, with your efforts rewarded by home-cooked food and reviving refreshments from our host, Róisín. Whether you are a seasoned scribe or coming to the table for the first time, we look forward to welcoming you and your new work.
  • Sunday 1/7: 5-9pm ~ Meet and Greet / Writing
  • Monday 2/7 – Friday 6/7: 10am-1pm ~ Writing
  • Cost: €250 workshops / + €250 full board (optional)
    Contact: Róísín 087-776-4820
Afternoon slots are reserved for writers to work alone if desired.
Old Rectory Retreat is a creative venue and guesthouse. Róisín’s storied table has hosted some extraordinary characters, both real and imagined. Why not bring yourself and see if you can leave with more?

Summer Workshops (May 26th ~ 1/2 Day Dip 10-2)

Summer Camps, Writing Retreats

Take time out for your writing on May 26th and join us for a half-day Writing Workshop at Old Rectory Retreat. By lunchtime Saturday you will have pages of work you didn’t come in with – not bad for a morning. Add to that a delicious lunch and goodies from Róisín’s convivial kitchen and you can’t go wrong. So do something good for yourself and give us a call (087 763 4339).

Price: €25

Consider coming to our 6-day workshop , July 1-6. Intensive, productive and fun, it will be a fantastic week of writing, reading, listening to stories and lots of laughs.

Price: €250  (+ Full Board = €500)

Spring Weekend Writing Retreat

Summer Camps

Join us for our Spring Weekend Writing Retreat at Róisín’s convivial table at Old Rectory Retreat.

We really enjoy these workshops and never know what will be dreamt up! We do know that delicious goodies will come from the kitchen: tea, cake, and homemade lunch.

We start on Saturday at 10:30am and end on Sunday at 2pm. Contact Old Rectory Retreat to book your place.

Five Day Workshop Starts January 2nd

Summer Camps

The New Year is coming: want to make your book-writing dream a reality? Sign up for a Five Mornings Writing Workshop starting on January 2nd. Including delicious lunches at the charming Old Rectory Retreat, cost is €200. Hosts Fiona Keane and Fin Keegan of SixPens.com are experienced at stimulating diverse groups of people both to produce and develop their writing. Non-judgemental approach. Call Fiona at 087 763 4339 or hq@sixpens.com

Upcoming Writing Workshops

Summer Camps

Weekly Writer’s Group Meetings = 10 x Thursday Evenings
When: October 6-December 8, 2011 ~ 7.30-9.30pm
Where: Sharkey Hill Community Centre in the Fairways.
Cost: €120 (10 weeks)

Call Fiona 087 763 4339 or email: hq@sixpens.com

In addition, the following workshops will take place this Autumn at Old Rectory Retreat:

  • The Evening Starter: Thursdays 7-10pm (July 28th, Aug 25th, Sept. 29th)
    Cost: €20 per eve (Tea and cake included)
  • The Half-Day Dip: Saturdays 10am-2pm. (Oct. 29th, Nov. 26th)
    Cost €35 (Book 3 weeks in advance – €30) Home cooked Soup/salad included.
  • The Weekend Experience: Fri. 6pm- Sunday 2pm (Aug.12th -14th, Sept.16th-18th, Oct.21st-23rd, Nov.18th-20th) .
    Cost €95 with delicious lunch.
  • Week-Long Writing Retreat: July, 2011, Jan. 2-6, 2012.
    Cost:  €250 with delicious lunches.

Fiona is experienced at stimulating diverse groups of people to put pen to paper in response to well thought-out writing prompts. The aim is to create richly connected characters who may form the genesis of story however short or long (from flash fiction right through to the novel). Your hours will be sweetened by tea and cake (or lunch and dinner for the longer sessions) and good company. Whether you are a seasoned scribe or coming to Róisín’s famously convivial (and productive) table for the first time, we welcome you.

Call Fiona at 087 763 4339 or email hq@sixpens.com

Summer Writing Workshop July 7-12, 2011, Old Rectory Retreat, Knappagh

Summer Camps

We are running a workshop from July 7-12, as follows:

~ Thursday 7th: 6pm meet and greet / intro followed by a writing session at 7.30pm
~ Friday 8th: 10-1 writing session
~ Saturday 9th: 10-1 writing session
~ Sunday 10th: 10-1 writing session
~ Monday 11th: 10-1 writing session
~ Tuesady 12th: Group Reading of work (optional)

Call Fiona at 087 763 4339 for more information or email fmk10@columbia.edu

Spring Writing Workshop March 25-27, 2011, Old Rectory Retreat, Knappagh

Summer Camps

Weekend workshop meeting Friday evening for food, chat and writing exercises, followed by a day of writing on Saturday, breaking for a delicious home-made lunch courtesy of Róisin.
On Sunday morning we will gather again at Róisin’s kitchen table to read the work produced. Reading is optional, but nobody ever declines!

Call Fiona at 087 763 4339 for more information or email fmk10@columbia.edu

Workshop: Creatively Writing

Summer Camps

Fiona is running a Creative Writing Workshop on a weekday evening in Westport at Sharkey Hill Community Centre (Fairways) . [Map/Directions]

In her classes, writers work on all forms of fiction and some work on non-fiction. All levels are welcome. Cost is €100 for an 8 week block.

The Thursday class is currently full but, if there is sufficient interest, an extra session coud be added on Tuesdays,

To book your place, call Fiona at 087 763 4339 or Send an EMail or Message.

One Day Writing Workshop

Summer Camps, , , , , ,

Co-owner of SixPens, Fin Keegan, worked alongside Deborah Triesman and Bill Buford in the late 90s at The New Yorker magazine, where he evaluated short story manuscripts.

Alongside stimulating exercises, this workshop will focus on craft and technique, considering key aspects of fiction such as Point of View, Conflict, Plot, and Dialogue.

The day, which costs €60, runs from 10.30am to 5pm (with delicious home-made lunch included) and takes place set in the delightful surroundings of Old Rectory Retreat in Knappagh, not far from Westport along the Leenane Road.

Hope you can come! For further information or to make a booking, phone Róisín 087 7764820 or email oldrectoryretreat@gmail.com

Workshop: Old Rectory Retreat

Summer Camps

When: Saturday, August 14th, 10.30-5

Where: Old Rectory Retreat, Knappagh, Westport, Co. Mayo

Cost: 60 Euro OR bring a friend and get 2 for the price of 1 (30 Euro each) for a fun and productive day. Delicious homemade lunch included!

Contact: hq@sixpens.com | +353 87 763 4339

Feedback for Six Pens Writing Workshops:

– “Fiona’s Releasing the Writer’s Creativity Workshop helped me work through my writer’s block and get my thoughts down on paper. I walked into the workshop and introduced myself as a writer of prologues and first chapters. By the end of the weekend, I had fully fleshed out my plot, my main characters, and wrote 10 pages of usable prose. The writing prompts were thoughtful and built upon each other, leading the story down a path that I didn’t expect, but warmly welcomed. I can highly recommend this workshop to writers of any level, from the beginner to the expert!” – Lisa F.

– “A special bond seem to develop between diverse characters, I felt priveledged to be part of it.” – Madeleine J.

– “Thanks so much for your support, and help and inspiration.” – Roisin M.