It may be hard to believe, but 2018 marks the 20th International Poetry Festival in Strokestown, making it one of Ireland’s longest running literary get-togethers.

The Festival takes place over May Bank Holiday Weekend, from May 3rd to 7th 2018, with an exciting programme of poetry-related events taking place in and around the town of Strokestown.

Three of the Festival’s annual poetry competitions are now closed, with the judges hard at work making their decisions. Two more annual competitions – the Roscommon Poets’ Prize and the Schools’ Competitions –  get underway in January.

And while that’s all happening, we’ve introduced an EXTRA competition for poets to mark our 20th Festival, with a chance to win €100 and special place in Strokestown’s poetic history.

The idea is simple:  writers are invited to view 20 picture prompts and, suitably inspired, create a new poem of 20 lines or less. The overall winner will get €100, and 19 runners up will each get a €20 prize. All winning poems will be displayed alongside the images during the Poetry Festival in May. Entry is just €3 per poem – and you may enter on-line as many times as you wish.

The judge is poet Noelle Lynskey who will read all entries. The closing date is February 9th, 2018. Good luck!

Click below for details