The Arts Council of the Irish Republic has withdrawn its funding grant to the Western Writers' Centre, Galway. The Centre also runs the annual 'The Forge at Gort Festival' in Gort, Co. Galway and the literary news-letter, 'The Word Tree.' For almost seven years it has been the only such centre West of the Shannon. We are calling upon writers and those with an interest in writing to sign this petition to have the Arts Council restore our grant.