New creative writing programme supporting the health and wellbeing of Omagh communities
5th February, 2026
Omagh Pride has created a new community creative writing project led by award-winning poet and facilitator Cat Brogan. Entitled Rainbow Writes: Empowering LGBTQ+ Voices Through Creative Expression, the project is supported through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland’s New Small Grants Programme, funded by the Department for Communities (DfC), and aims to encourage greater access to and participation in the arts for everyone.
Rainbow Writes will run until March 2026, offering free creative writing workshops at the Strule Arts Centre, one-to-one mentoring, and opportunities to contribute to a published zine, a podcast and a final showcase event to be held in Omagh.
Watch the video taken at one of the writing workshops below.
Although the project centres on LGBTQ+ stories and visibility, participants do not need to identify as LGBTQ+ to take part. The space is welcoming and supportive and accessible to all levels of experience and to anyone across Tyrone and Fermanagh who is interested in writing, storytelling or trying something new.
Lead artist Cat Brogan said, “Rainbow Writes is a project that is open to everyone. You don't need to have written before. You don't need to be a queer person, but there's an emphasis on underrepresented voices, on centring experiences of LGBTQI people. I think this is so important, especially in a rural area where there is less access to queer community and also to artistic opportunities where we can write together and learn together. There are powerful stories in this area—everyday stories, queer stories, migration stories, rural stories—and Rainbow Writes gives people the skills and support to tell them in their own voice.”
Gilly Campbell, Director of Arts Development, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, added, “The Arts Council of Northern Ireland is delighted to support this project from Omagh Pride through our New Small Grants Programme, a scheme which facilitates greater participation in the arts across every section of our society and brings the arts right into the heart of communities. Participating in the arts, and coming together as communities, can make a vital contribution to improving health and wellbeing, building confidence, and integrating communities, and we wish Omagh Pride every success with this brilliant community writing project. Well done to all involved!”
Lorraine Montague, Omagh Pride, said, “We’re thrilled to bring a project like this to Omagh. Creative expression builds confidence, connection and community. Rainbow Writes is for anyone who wants to explore writing in a friendly, inclusive environment.”
Cat Brogan is a poet and spoken word artist from Omagh. She is the 2024 Ulster Poetry Slam Champion, a BBC Edinburgh Fringe Slam Champion and represented Dublin in the UNESCO 2025 Slamovision competition. Her poetry has been published in Local Wonders (Dedalus Press), Skylight 47 and other journals.
Cat’s performances have included Electric Picnic, WOMAD, Outburst, Stendhal and the Singapore Writers Festival. She has a MA Writer/Teacher from Goldsmith’s as part of the Spoken Word Educator Programme and was a full-time poet in a school.
For more information on Rainbow Writes and Omagh Pride visit https://omaghpride.com/