Theme: ‘The Vision of 1916: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow’.
Inspired by the strong connections between poetry and the Easter Rising - often known as the “Poets’ Revolution” - we are proud to announce that our International Poetry Competition 2016 is now open for submissions. Many of the Rising’s leaders were accomplished poets, including Pádraic Pearse, Joseph Mary Plunkett, James Connolly – and the eminent Thomas MacDonagh. Also acclaimed for his talents as a teacher, playwright, Irish language scholar, and literary theorist, it is in MacDonagh’s honour that we have chosen for the competition’s first prize the Robert Ballagh-designed Thomas MacDonagh Medal (along with a cash award of €1,000).
In its aftermath, the Rising motivated a generation of poets of national and international renown – including George Russell (AE), Francis Ledwidge, Padraic Colum, James Stephens, Sean O’Casey, Eva Gore-Booth and William Butler Yeats – to reflect upon its ideals, events, men and women, and consequences. Alongside these can be placed a succession of Irish language poets that includes Liam S Gógan, Máirtín Ó Direáin, Seán Ó Ríordáin, Máire Mhac an tSaoi, Eoghan Ó Tuairisc and Seán Ó Tuama.
Likewise, we are now inviting the present generations of writers of poetry, young and older, established and emerging, to reflect upon the competition’s theme and submit up to three entries for our judges’ consideration.
The competition is open to persons over the age of sixteen years living on the island of Ireland or abroad.
Entries may be in English, Irish, or any of the languages in common use in Ireland today (with either English or Irish translations).
JUDGES
Catherine Ann Cullen, Louis de Paor and Ciaran Carty. Professor Michael Cronin will act as the competition’s Languages’ Advisor.
PRIZES
First: Thomas MacDonagh Medal, plus €1,000
Second: €500
Third: €250
ENTRY FEES
€10 for first poem
€5 for second poem
€5 for third poem
TO ENTER
See: http://www.reclaim1916.ie/international-poetry-competition/
CLOSING DATE: 29th February 2016
