Exciting Tipperary podcast projects need writers to come forward

Clonmel Junction Arts Festival and the Tipperary Tipperary Museum of Hidden History has announced a callout for Tipperary writers for new podcast project ‘The Clonmel Exchanges Podcast Project’ for  the 2026 festival.

The Clonmel Exchanges Podcast Project, a partnership project with Clonmel Junction Arts Festival and the Tipperary Museum of Hidden History, is an exciting new podcast project forming part of the Clonmel Junction Arts Festival looking for Tipperary writers who would like to develop their interview skills through masterclasses with renowned podcaster Siobhán McHugh.

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Siobhán McHugh is a seminal podcast studies scholar and multi-award-winning producer of narrative journalism podcasts, who founded RadioDoc Review (2014-) the first journal of expert criticism of narrative podcasts/audio features. She has published widely on the affective power of audio storytelling and the impact of podcasting as a new medium.
Her book, The Power of Podcasting: Telling Stories Through Sound (Columbia University Press 2022) analyses the aesthetics and production practices of acclaimed narrative podcasts, is a set text in universities from Europe to the US - and even got a mention on OPRAH.

Narrative podcasts Siobhán co-produced include The Greatest Menace about a gay prison experiment in Australia, which has won 17 major awards, including a Walkley. Her other investigative podcasts have won six gold awards at New York Festivals.
"Audio is a such an intimate, honest medium! I can’t wait to hear these deeply personal stories of loving – and leaving – Clonmel," said Siobhán.

Clonmel Junction Arts Festival and Tipperary Museum of Hidden History are asking local writers to apply to be part of the project by Friday 30th January 2026 at 5pm via a google form: https://forms.gle/MbtC8zLdWcNJrxtP6
Rebecca Lenehan, Artistic Director of Clonmel Junction Arts Festival, said: “We are seeking 10 writers who are curious, empathetic, and keen to help preserve the living history of Clonmel. If you’d like to develop your writing for the ear and explore the world of podcasting, then we’d love to hear from you.”

Each selected writer will be assigned a nominee with the final decision resting with Clonmel Junction Arts Festival and the Museum of Hidden History.

Under the expert guidance of Siobhán McHugh and local writer Eileen Acheson, the selected writers will interview nominated former Clonmel citizens about making new lives around the world, weaving their stories into podcasts, gathering insights into their perspectives of their lives in Clonmel and abroad.

Marie McMahon, Managing Curator of Tipperary Museum of Hidden History, said: “‘The Clonmel Exchanges Podcast Project’ is a wonderful opportunity for Tipperary Museum of Hidden History to work with CJAF’26, Eileen Acheson, Siobhán McHugh and selected Tipperary writers to create and collate significant oral histories of Clonmel people’s lives abroad. The writers will learn and hone new skills while preserving local spoken word and nostalgia for our future visitors.”

The podcasts will be launched at the Clonmel Junction Arts Festival in July 2026, leaving a significant oral history record and legacy about the people and places of Clonmel for future generations.

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Closing date for nominations and applications for writers: Friday 30th January at 5pm.
Selection of nominees and writers by CJAF and MHH in early February 2026 - all applicants will be notified by email by mid-February 2026.

Siobhán McHugh masterclass x 2 via Zoom for local writers on podcast storytelling techniques on Monday 2nd and 23rd March 2026, facilitated by Eileen Acheson.

Local writers to conduct the interviews and submit a first edit of the podcast by mid-April 2026
Siobhán McHugh follow-up individual feedback sessions via Zoom in May 2026 with each local writer, facilitated by Eileen Acheson.

Eileen Acheson to oversee the compilation and final edits of podcasts including liaison with sound engineer
Launch of podcasts as part of Clonmel Junction Arts Festival (3rd -12th July 2026).

For more information contact 087 3823000.