Mayo call-out: Become the fourth Bard of Connacht

BARDS of Ireland and beyond are invited to take part in the fourth annual Bard of Connacht competition.

Kilbegnet Ballinakill Historical Society and Creggs Harvest Festival are seeking entries for this year’s competition, which has a prize fund of €1,000.

The theme for this year’s bard competition is ‘Liberation’. The theme was chosen by members of the historical society to commemorate the recent 250th anniversary of the birth of Ireland’s ‘Liberator’, Daniel O’Connell.

The Kerry man established a grassroots political movement in the early 19th century which achieved Catholic emancipation and went on to hold monster meetings calling for the Repeal of the Act of Union. He also campaigned for civil rights, including tenant rights, economic development and the abolition of slavery.

Now in its fourth year, the competition is organised by Kilbegnet Ballinakill Historical Society, Creggs, Co. Galway, and draws entries from all across Ireland and also has an international following. As well as the adult competition, there is also a junior bard competition involving local Transition Year students and this has prompted many teenagers to take up the art of poetry.

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.

Previous winners of the Bard of Connacht title are Rory Duffy (2022), John Ralph (2023) and Dominick Tobin (2024).

Poets are invited to submit one entry of less than 400 words to bardofconnacht@gmail.com and all entries must be received by Monday, October 6, at 5 p.m. A judging panel will then select the 10 best entries, five of which will be winners. All entries must be original and there is no entry fee.

Composers of the 10 best entries will be invited to attend an event in Creggs on bank holiday Monday, October 27, as part of Creggs Harvest Festival and recite their poem, and the prize winners will be announced at that event and the prizes presented.

Make time to muse on the theme of ‘Liberation’ and you could find yourself being installed as the Bard of Connacht 2025.

For further information, please contact Larry Kilcommins, secretary, Kilbegnet Ballinakill Historical Society, on (086) 3468761 or email bardofconnacht@gmail.com.