STROKESTOWN POETRY FESTIVAL
30th April - 4th May 2020
22nd Festival
AN INVITATION TO POETRY
At Strokestown Park House
The Strokestown International Poetry Festival was founded in 1999. It takes place annually on the first weekend of May, in Strokestown, Co. Roscommon. The weekend provides a world-renowned forum for excellence in poetry. Strokestown is famous for the large audiences that attend all readings and allied to the welcome, the friendliness and the scenery, the weekend is an unforgettable experience and a thrilling immersion in contemporary poetry. ‘Our mission is to showcase contemporary poetry, local, national and international, foster the development of emerging writers and consolidate poetry in local cultural life bringing it to the widest possible audience’.
Events 2019
Amanda Bell
Amanda Bell is an award-winning poet and children's author. She holds a Masters in Poetry Studies, and works as a writer, editor and workshop facilitator.
Ceaití Ní Bheildiúin
Tá trí chnuasach filíochta de chuid Cheaití foilsithe ag Coiscéim: Meirge an Laoich, Púca Gan Dealramh, An Teorainn Bheo. Chaith an file tréimhse ina scríbhneoir cónaitheach faoi scéim Ealaíontóir Cónaitheach Harry Clarke 2008 - 2009, sa Díseart, An Daingean, Co. Chiarraí.
TARA BERGIN
Dublin-born Tara Bergin’s The Tragic Death of Eleanor Marx was shortlisted for the 2017 Forward Prize and the T.S. Eliot Prize, and was shortlisted for the Irish Times Poetry Now Award 2018.
JOHN F DEANE
He founded Poetry Ireland and The Poetry Ireland Review in 1978. He is the recipient of the O’Shaughnessy Award for Irish Poetry and the Marten Toonder Award for Literature. He is a member of Aosdána.
GILLIAN CLARKE
Gillian Clarke - National Poet of Wales 2008-2016 is one of the central figures in contemporary Welsh poetry, the third to take up the post.
SHIRLEY McCLURE
After poet, Shirley McClure's untimely death from cancer in September 2016 her publisher, Alan Hayes of Arlen House, invited her friend, Jane Clarke, to edit a New & Collected Shirley McClure. Geraldine Mitchell will read some of her work from Origami Doll.
FINBAR MAGEE & BREIGE QUINN
Singer-songwriter Finbar Magee and fiddle player, Breige Quinn will sing and play throughout the week end.
JESSAMINE O CONNOR
Written and directed by Jessamine O Connor, in collaboration with Carmel Balfe of 'Little Gem Puppets', "The Stranger" is a short shadow-puppet film-poem about being an immigrant, here and abroad.
EILÉAN NÍ CHUILLEANÁIN
Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin and Ciaran O'Driscoll will talk about their memories of the Riflessi DiVersi festival in Umbria and will read poems about Italy and poems translated from Italian.
LOUISE G COLE
Louise G Cole’s pamphlet ‘Soft Touch’ was published in February 2019 after she was chosen as one of Carol Ann Duffy’s UK Laureate’s Choice poets.
JANE ROBINSON
A recipient of the Strokestown International Poetry Prize and the Red Line Book Festival Award, her writing is often concerned with the loss of biodiversity.
JAMES HARPUR
He is the recipient of the Michael Hartnett Award, an Eric Gregory Award, and he’s been shortlisted for the Irish Times Award.
Our Location
Travel Information
Venue
Strokestown Park House
Strokestown,
Co. Roscommon
Transport
Bus Eireann, No 22 travels directly from Dublin Airport to Strokestown
Hotel & Restaurant
The Percy French Hotel, https://www.thepercyfrenchhotel.com/
Yu Garden Chinese, https://www.facebook.com/yugardenchinesestrokestown/
Strokestown Park House Cafe, http://www.strokestownpark.ie/cafe-shop/
Our Event Sponsors
Check Who Makes This Event Possible!
Main Sponsor
Other Major Sponsors
Other Sponsors
Lawrence and Janet Kessenich
Grace Rickard and James Hoban
Anni Wilton-Jones and Mike Byrne
David Dolan & Gemma Flanagan
Chasetown Civil Engineering Ltd./Noel Sweeney
Anam Cara Writer’s Retreat
Strokestown Poetry is supported by the Creative Ireland Programme, an all-of-Government five-year initiative, from 2017 to 2022, which places creativity at the centre of public policy. Further information from creative.ireland.ie and ireland.ie
Our Newsletter
Contact Us
Strokestown Poetry Festival
Strokestown
County Roscommon
Ireland
Tel: +353 71 9633759 (10am – 1pm)
Email: office@strokestownpoetry.org