Crescent Arts Centre

Providing a home for the arts in Belfast since 1873 🎭 Join our courses in dance, art, literature & more! Home to the annual June Belfast Book Festival 📚

[Crescent Arts Centre @CrescentArts]

The annual Mairtín Crawford Awards for Poetry and Short Story are now open ⭐️

If you're an emerging writer working towards your first full collection of poetry, short stories, or a novel, our judges want to hear from you.

For more information on the prizes and how to submit: https://t.co/LVXHvFBiA4

[Crescent Arts Centre @CrescentArts]

2026 Courses and Workshops ✏️

New year, new skills! Cosy up at The Crescent this Winter and rediscover the joy of learning. From poetry to patchwork, to playing the harmonica – explore our 2026 offering here: https://t.co/zr2PLJIBrW

[Crescent Arts Centre @CrescentArts]

2 weeks ago today, we announced the winners of the Mairtín Crawford Awards 🤩

📚Story Story Winner @sarahdavywrites
📚Poetry Winner @siobhanflynn13

Head to https://t.co/DFKTYUs3Is to read the winning works

Thanks to the supporters of the Awards: Johns Elliot Solicitors (via @artsbusinessni Investment Prog), No Alibis & @HastingsHotels

[Crescent Arts Centre @CrescentArts]

Did you join us for #BelfastBookFestival 2025? If yes, we hope you had as much fun as we did 🤩

We'd love to hear about your experience via a short survey --> https://t.co/jKLqTBqFeC

(As thanks for completing the survey, you'll be entered into a draw to win a tote bag of goodies)

[Blackstaff Press @BlackstaffNI]

@RubyFree8 is incredibly excited to be chairing this discussion between some truly inspirational people – Aaron Kelly (Black Mountain), Dakota Reid (Wild Belfast) and Anne-Marie McDevitt (@RSPBNI) – this Sunday at @BelfastBookFest at @CrescentArts.

https://t.co/VLELARu827

[Crescent Arts Centre @CrescentArts]

About last night! We're so pleased to announce the Mairtín Crawford Award winners:

✨Winner of the Poetry Award: Siobhán Flynn

✨Winner of the Short Story Award: Sarah Davy

Thanks again to our judges, Kathleen McCracken
@yopopodawn @beingvarious @WednesdayErskin for all of their hard work 📚

You can read all about last night's ceremony in the @irishnews here: https://t.co/npzak8CIBv ⭐️

[🏗️ Kaz G 🏗️ @KarolynGaston1]

Such a brilliant night catching up with my big wee mate @KristianNairn @CrescentArts Belfast celebrating Belfast Book Festival and Kristian’s memoirs ‘Beyond the Throne’ 📕

#friendsunited
#neverchanged
#Hodor
#holdthedoor
#gameofthrones
#BelfastBookFestival

[🏗️ Kaz G 🏗️ @KarolynGaston1]

Thank you @CrescentArts #Volunteers for a great evening. Thank you for all you do 🙏 Happy @VolunteersWeek 🙏

[Crescent Arts Centre @CrescentArts]

Hidden Depths: Writing Male Characters with Garrett Carr & Michael Pedersen 🗯️

@garrett_carr and Michael Pedersen discuss their approaches to writing masculine characters, giving them depth and complexity. Exploring themes like male friendship and rural father-son relationships, join us as we explore contemporary masculinity ⭐️

Book now: https://t.co/JnnNYbEvUk

[David Roy @droyirishnews]

Great chatting with @WednesdayErskin about this year's @BelfastBookFest at @CrescentArts. As well as discussing her debut novel The Benefactors with @beingvarious, she's also doing other events with folks like @KristianNairn, @Kath_Ferguson & @stingingfly
https://t.co/f5rTcbvx8z

[Crescent Arts Centre @CrescentArts]

Society of Authors Information Session: Managing Your Creative Collaborations 💡

@soc_of_authors, the UK's largest trade union for writers, illustrators and literary translators, are joining us at #BelfastBookFestival this year to discuss creative collaboration. Relevant for those working on jointly authored novels and non-fiction works, ghost writers, translators and more – understand how to best protect your work and creativity when working collaboratively ✨

⭐️ Society of Authors Information Session: Managing Your Creative Collaborations
🗓️ Thursday 5 June, 11:00am–1:00pm
🎟️ Pay What You Decide

Book now: https://t.co/BXjB4YNQUl

[Crescent Arts Centre @CrescentArts]

Writing & Animation: Books & Screen 📚

Ever thought about how stories are adapted for screen? Join creatives @mairezepf @samporciello and industry experts @paperowlfilmsni and BBC Commissioning Executive Guy Phenix in discussing this dynamic creative process 🌀

⭐️ Writing & Animation: Books & Screen 📚
🗓️ Friday 6 June, 4:00pm–5:30pm
🎟️ Pay What You Decide

Book now: https://t.co/1d8p5AynUE

[Crescent Arts Centre @CrescentArts]

@ssexton02 and @Louise_Nealon will be joining The Stinging Fly for 'Write So', an immersive writing experience 🪰⭐️
Regardless of your writing discipline, this session will give you time and space to write and explore new approaches to generating ideas 💡

⭐️ Write So! with The Stinging Fly
🗓️ Friday 6 June, 10:00am–3:00pm
🎟️ From £35

Book now: https://t.co/YIYe5ZrfTY

[Crescent Arts Centre @CrescentArts]

Find artistic inspiration in the world around you 🌍 Ekphrasis uses the description of a visual object or art piece as a literary device. Led by local poet Padraig Regan, explore natural objects as artworks in their own right. All you need to do is bring a small object with you as a starting point, and be open to where your creativity goes ⭐️

⭐️ Reframing Ekphrasis with Padraig Regan
🗓️ Saturday 7 June, 10:00am–12:30pm
🎟️ From £35

Book now: https://t.co/F807XfWCdY

[Crescent Arts Centre @CrescentArts]

The Brighton Bomb: Narrative Approaches 💥

Join us for a fascinating discussion with journalist & production heavyweights Mary McKeagney @rorycarroll72 @owenmcftweets @taramillstv as we dive into the media coverage of one of recent history's most shocking events ⚡️

🗓️ Wednesday 11 June, 6:00pm–7:30pm
🎟️ Pay What You Can
Learn more: https://t.co/3whyWS1QzB

[Crescent Arts Centre @CrescentArts]

Drumroll please... We're delighted to reveal the Mairtín Crawford Awards shortlisted writers for 2025! ⭐️ 🥁 Our judges Kathleen McCracken @yopopodawn & @beingvarious @WednesdayErskin had their work cut out for them this year with so many incredible submissions in both categories! 📚