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.

2025 Dates 

• 10th February – Shaun Dunne – Please note this event is now fully booked. 
• 3rd March
• 7th April
• 12th May
• 9th June
• 14th July
• 11th August
• 15th September
• 13th October
• 10th November
• 8th December

February Guest Playwright | Shaun Dunne

Shaun Dunne is a Dublin based writer and director who works extensively across film and theatre.

In theatre, Shaun has toured extensively across Ireland and is best known for his unique hybrid of documentary material with new writing and inspired fiction. Works of note include the multi-award winning Making a Mark, Restoration, The Wasteground Party, Rapids, Death of the Tradesmen and the more recent premiere of This Solution at Dublin Theatre Festival, 2023 and Everything Falls in collaboration with Brokentalkers in 2024.

In 2022, Shaun presented his debut documentary feature at Dublin International Film Festival. Adapted from his theatre show Rapids, HOW TO TELL A SECRET was made in collaboration with Anna Rodgers and Invisible Thread Films. It was awarded Best Documentary at Irish Film London and has screened at festivals around the world since its debut. The film was nominated for Best Documentary at the Irish Film and Television Awards in 2023 and has since been acquired by Netflix. Shaun is currently developing new work with support from the Abbey Theatre, Screen Ireland, Rough Magic and the Ark.