Irish author Patrick McCabe has been appointed the 2026 IPUT Writer-in-Residence at Wilton Park in Dublin. The announcement, made this month, places the acclaimed novelist and playwright in a unique position to draw inspiration from the historically and culturally rich surroundings of Baggotonia.
The residency, selected by a committee chaired by Colm Tóibín, offers McCabe a year-long stay in a refurbished Georgian apartment at Wilton Park, complete with a dedicated writer’s study. The location provides views across the park to the Grand Canal and the statue of Patrick Kavanagh, and is adjacent to Mary Lavin Place, the first public square in Ireland named after a female writer. The residency also includes a significant stipend, making it one of the most valuable literary awards in Ireland, valued at approximately €70,000.
McCabe, born in 1955, is known for his novels Breakfast on Pluto and The Butcher Boy, both of which were adapted into films directed by Neil Jordan. He has twice been shortlisted for the Booker Prize. His novels Poguemahone and Goldengrove are scheduled for paperback release by Picador in September.
The IPUT Writer-in-Residence program aims to foster a vibrant literary community within Dublin, a designated UNESCO World City of Literature. Niall Gaffney, CEO of IPUT Real Estate, expressed delight at McCabe’s appointment, stating, “We are delighted to announce Patrick McCabe as our second writer-in-residence.” He further noted a curiosity to observe how the environment of Wilton Park and Mary Lavin Place might influence McCabe’s future work.
The residency program was established with the belief that thriving arts and culture are essential components of a great city. The selection process involves a committee led by Tóibín, with input from publicist Cormac Kinsella and members of IPUT. This year’s appointment follows the inaugural residency awarded to Naoise Dolan in 2025, which allowed her to return to live in Dublin after graduating from Trinity College in 2016.
McCabe’s selection places him in a lineage connected to fellow Monaghan native Patrick Kavanagh, a significant figure in Irish poetry. The residency’s location is deliberately chosen to immerse the writer in a historically literary area. Baggotonia, as the area is known, has long been associated with Irish writers and intellectuals.
The program’s financial support, the generous stipend, is intended to allow the resident writer to focus entirely on their craft without the pressures of financial constraints. This commitment underscores IPUT’s dedication to supporting the arts and contributing to Dublin’s cultural landscape. The program’s structure reflects a broader trend of private sector investment in the arts, recognizing the value of cultural contributions to urban vitality.
Recent commentary on McCabe’s appointment, as featured on RTÉ radio, highlighted his reflections on his early life in Monaghan, his career as a writer, and his personal joy as a grandfather. This suggests a willingness to engage with the public and share insights into his creative process during his time in residence.
The IPUT Writer-in-Residence program represents a significant investment in Irish literature and a commitment to providing a supportive environment for writers to create and contribute to the cultural life of Dublin. The program’s emphasis on both financial support and a stimulating physical environment positions it as a model for similar initiatives aimed at fostering literary talent.
