Ards Writers was formed in 1987 under the auspices of the Workers Educational Association but has existed as an independent group since 1993. Over the years, it has hosted numerous popular reading events, including the hugely successful Laughterlines evening of humorous prose and poetry in 2002.

Since 2002, it has been involved in organising the literary aspect of the annual Festival Of The Peninsula held over a period of three days in September in various venues in and around Newtownards and including representation from Donegal and Dumfries And Galloway. As part of this programme of events the group has hosted workshops and evenings of readings. In 2002, it played a major part in the publication of The Gathering O’ The Clans - an anthology of poetry and prose from writers from all three regions. It has run its own six week long class for beginners, tutored by members and has ambitions to put on a roadshow!

Apart from publishing its own anthologies on a regular basis, many of the members, past and present, have gone on to earn individual acclaim through publication and broadcasting of their work. Find out more about the achievements of past and present members of Ards Writers...