Below is a short list of current poetry competitions and opportunities with quickly approaching deadlines.
Spokes Open Mic – Waterford
Spokes is an Open Mic night that takes place in Phil Grimes pub, Waterford city. Admission is five euro with a guest poet, guest musician and an Open Mic.
It runs approximately every six weeks on nights close to the major dates on the Wheel of the Year (Equinox, Solstice, Samhain, Lughnasa etc.) –
Email colettecolfer@yahoo.ie for more info
The Well Review Poetry Prize – Deadline: 26 Jan 2019
The Well Review Poetry Prize for the best single poem is now open. This year’s competition will be judged by poet Ishion Hutchinson.
Prizes include:
First Prize €1,000
Seond Prize €500
Third Prize €250
The winning poem will also be published in Issue 3 of The Well Review.
Intervarsity Poetry Slam 2019 – Deadline: 31 Jan 2019
Poetry Ireland is delighted to partner with the 2019 Inter-Varsity Poetry Slam, taking place this March at the National College of Art and Design. Are you a college student writing and performing your own poetry? Here’s a great opportunity to get your voice and your words out there. Some of Ireland’s most talented poets have competed in the Slam since its inception – and now it’s your turn.
This year’s top finalists will also be invited to take part in a free performance workshop in Poetry Ireland ahead of the IV Slam.
Entering the competition is simple: just email a poem (video, audio, or text) to ivpoetryslam@gmail.com
Cúirt New Writing Prize – Deadline 31 January
The Cúirt New Writing Prize, kindly sponsored by Tigh Neachtain in memory of Lena McGuire, is now open for submissions. There are three categories: poetry, short fiction and youth. There are cash prizes for the winner of the poetry and short fiction categories and the opportunity to read at the Cúirt / Over the Edge Showcase event at the 34th annual Cúirt International Festival of Literature. Deadline: 31 January
For more information please go to: https://www.cuirt.ie/
Prole Laureate Poetry Competition – Deadline 31 January
Prole Laureate Poetry Competition is now open. First prize is £200 plus publication in Issue 28 of Prole. Two runners up will receive £50 each and publication in the same issue of Prole. Deadline: 31 January
For more information please go to: http://prolebooks.co.uk/poetry%20competition.html
Ó Bhéal International Five Words Poetry Competition – Deadline 31 January
From April to the end of January, five words are posted on the Ó Bhéal Five Words competition page. Entrants have one week to compose and submit poems that include all five words given for the week. The competition runs for 41 weeks, until the last week of January and a prize of €500 is awarded to one winner. Deadline: 31 January
Please click here for more information.
Anthony Cronin Award – Deadline 7 February
The Anthony Cronin Award is an exceptional award offered in memory of former Aosdána Saoi Anthony Cronin. This award is aimed at mid-career writers looking to develop the international dimension of their practice. The award, worth €13,000, includes €3,000 for international travel. Interested candidates are invited to apply online via Arts Council online services. Deadline: 7 February #
Please click here for more information.
Poetry Ireland Introductions 2019 – Application Deadline 13 February 2019
Applications are now open for Poetry Ireland Introductions 2019, which will offer poets in the early stages of their careers, writing in Irish or English, the opportunity to showcase their work through workshops and performance.
The poets selected for Introductions 2019 will participate in a workshop focused on poetic form and craft, as well as a masterclass on the art of reading and performing poetry in public. A third workshop will be offered on preparing a first collection.
Poetry Ireland Introductions 2019 will culminate in a number of public readings during the International Literature Festival Dublin.
Poetry Ireland is delighted to announce that poet Martina Evans will select this year’s participants and will also lead the form and craft workshop.
For more information and how to apply please click here.
The Travel Award – Deadline 22 February
The Travel Award was established by the Trustees of the Ireland Chair of Poetry two years ago in order to encourage and assist poets in their creative development. This award offers €2,000 to one recipient to help realise a project requiring travel within or outside Ireland. The Trust hopes that this award will offer a poet an opportunity to step outside his or her everyday space and work on a project that will benefit their professional development. Deadline: 22 February
Maria Edgeworth Poetry Competition – Deadline 8 March
The Maria Edgeworth Poetry Competition coincides with the 24th Annual Edgeworthstown Literary Festival. Poets may submit up to five poems. Deadline: 8 March
Click here for more information.
Hennessy New Irish Writing – Deadline ongoing
Hennessy New Irish Writing is an opportunity open to Irish writers. The winner of the emerging poet category will receive a Hennessy trophy and €1,500. A Hennessy New Irish Writer of the Year, chosen from the winners of the three categories, will receive an additional prize of €2,500 and a trophy. Up to six poems may be submitted. There is no entry fee. Writers whose work is selected for publication will receive €130 for fiction and €65 for poetry.
You can email your entry to hennessynewirishwriting@irishtimes.com or post it (with a stamped addressed envelope) to Ciaran Carty, Hennessy New Irish Writing, The Irish Times, 24-28 Tara Street, Dublin 2. Submissions are open to writers who are Irish or resident in Ireland. All accepted stories will be printed in the Irish Times. Deadline: Ongoing
More information about the above and many other competitions and opportunities can be found on the Poetry Ireland website.
All above information and images from https://www.poetryireland.ie/