Friday, February 9^th is the final competitions deadline

Our one-off international poetry competition to mark our 20^th birthday is still open, with 20 prizes to be won. The on-line only competition is for up to 20 lines of new verse prompted by one of 20 images. The winner gets €100, and 19 runners-up receive €20 each, and all 20 will be displayed alongside the pictures at the Festival, May 3^rd – 7^th. Entry is just €3 per poem, the judge is Noelle Lynskey, and there is no limit to the number of entries. Hurry, though – the closing date is Friday, February 9^th. To view the images and enter, click here: https://www.strokestownpoetry.org/competitions-2018/2020-competition/

Roscommon Poet’s Prize

There is still (just!) time to enter the annual poetry prize for writers with a Roscommon connection. Poets who live in County Roscommon, or who are a member of a County Roscommon Writers’ Group, are eligible to enter a poem in English of no more than 70 lines. Six shortlisted poets will be invited to read their poem at the Festival, and will each receive a €50 reading fee. The winner’s prize is €150, the closing date is Friday, February 9^th, and the judge is Mary Turley McGrath. More details here https://www.strokestownpoetry.org/competitions-2018/roscommon-poets-prize-2018/

Annual Schools’ Competition

This poetry competition also closes on February 9^th. It is open to pupils attending school in County Roscommon. The poems will be judged in two categories: Primary and Secondary. There is an entry fee of €2 per poem, which can be on any theme or subject. Winners and shortlisted poets will be invited to attend a prize-giving event at Strokestown International Poetry Festival on Friday, May 4^th, 2018. The winner in each category receives €100. The judge is Pete Mullineaux. More details here: