Spanish poet and physicist takes up Birr Writers' Residency

Spanish poet and physicist Joaquín Bermejo Ortiz has taken up the Birr Writers' Residency hosted by Brendan House, Birr and supported by the Offaly County Council Arts Office.

Joaquín holds a PhD in Condensed Matter Physics from Sorbonne University, and his creative work explores the interplay between scientific language and poetic expression.

His debut poetry collection, El Mundo de las flores — winner of the 10th Valparaíso Poetry Prize — was published in 2024. From 2021 to 2024, he organised cultural events at the Colegio de España in Paris.

He currently works as a university lecturer in Madrid. During his time in Birr, he will be exploring new writing rooted in place, language, and connection – drawing inspiration from Offaly’s rich cultural and natural landscape.

Birr Writers' Residency marks a unique opportunity to support and celebrate literary voices from Ireland and Europe and we are thrilled to welcome Joaquín as the first of 4 writers and poets selected for the residency this year.