It’s time to get your entries in for the Bard of Connacht 2024 as entries close on September 30th at 5pm.
With free entry and €1,000 in prize-money, this competition generates great interest each year as the bards of the province and far beyond organise their thoughts on a particular theme.
This year the theme is loneliness, inspired by a line from a Percy French song.
The competition is run by Kilbegnet Historical Society, in conjunction with Creggs Harvest Festival and takes place annually during the October Bank Holiday weekend in Creggs.
The competition has a national and international following and last year a Junior Bard competition was introduced, which proved popular with Transition Year students and prompted many teenagers to emulate the bardic tradition in the province, with interesting and thought-provoking results.
The winner of this year’s Bard of Connacht will receive the Vincent Keaveny Memorial Trophy and a cheque for €500, while second, third and fourth placed poets will receive €250, €150 and €100.
Poets are invited to submit one entry of less than 400 words to bardofconnacht@gmail.com and all entries must be received by Monday, September 30th at 5 pm.
All entries must be original and there is no entry fee. Composers of the ten best entries will be invited to attend an event in Creggs during the Harvest Festival and recite their poem and the five prize-winners will be announced at that event and the prizes presented.
For further information please contact Larry Kilcommins, Secretary, Kilbegnet Ballinakill Historical Society on (086) 3468761 or email bardofconnacht@gmail.com
