Bridge the Gap is a bold, high-energy two-part workshop for playwrights who don't want to wait around for permission. If you're serious about getting your work out of the notebook and onto the stage, these sessions are for you.

Led by Ultan Pringle, Artist in Residence at An Grianán Theatre & One To Watch from The Irish Times, this is a practical, no-nonsense deep dive into how plays actually get made and how to cultivate your craft while doing so. See online listing for more information.

This workshop in 2 parts is presented in association with An Grianán Theatre

• Thursday 2 July (online): Drawing on Ultan's hands-on model of making, the first workshop focuses on self-starting, peer collaboration, and cutting through the noise to move your script forward. This practical session about production and adapting your mindset for it will take place online.

• Sunday 5th July (in person): Ultan's second workshop, exploring how to cultivate a playwriting craft that can dream big and deliver, will take place onsite in Birr and will continue the dynamic interrogation of craft, practicalities and approach. Bridge The Gap is about doing, not just talking. Expect sharp discussion, real-world strategies, and an open exchange of ideas between writers who are ready to push their work further.

Ultan is an actor and writer from Donegal. He is a graduate with first class honours of Trinity College Dublin. He is a founding member of LemonSoap Productions with whom he has written and acted in various productions including Marmalade Row, It Is Good We Are Dreaming, Piglet and the audio series Fruit starring Aidan Gillen, Kathy Kiera Clarke and Linda Martin. His five star hit play Boyfriends ran in Summer 2024 and toured to eight venues around Ireland in late 2025. His audio drama Pistachio starred three time Oscar nominee and Hollywood legend Piper Laurie. He wrote the script for and directed the middle ages immaculate conception musical Beards by HK Ní Shiordáin at The New Theatre in 2024.

He was long listed for the Bruntwood Prize in 2022. Ultan's work as an actor includes Falling For The Life Of Alex Whelan on RTÉ Two and for Dublin Fringe Festival, The Julius Caesar Variety Show by Joy Nesbitt. Ultan is the current Artist in Residence at An Grianán Theatre and he was named as One To Watch for 2025 by the Irish Times. He is the 2025 recipient of the highly sought after PROPEL Award from The Strollers Theatre Network and a recipient of a Pavilion Pulse Award 2025.

Thursday 2 July (6-7.30pm online) / Sunday 5 July (12 - 1.30pm in person) Dooly's Hotel €25 (plus booking fee for both sessions)