Co. Kildare Town Selected As One Of 20 "Poetry Towns" Across Ireland.

Thursday, 29 July 2021 11:48

Over 100 free poetry-related activities take place in 20 towns across the island of Ireland in September.

Naas has been selected among the inaugural Poetry Towns on the island of Ireland.

This is a new initiative by Poetry Ireland, and will see more than a hundred free poetry-related activities take place in 20 towns across the island of Ireland between 10th and 18th September 2021.

In Kildare, Poetry Ireland is partnering with Kildare County Council Arts Office.

A Poet Laureate for will be selected in each participating town.

We're delighted to launch Poetry Town today and unveil the 20 Poetry Towns taking part!
Find out more about this project taking place from 10-18 September, which will celebrate the pride in our locality through poetry. https://t.co/krWypa0vNn #PoetryTown #ArtsCouncilSupported pic.twitter.com/7wfvVPwCc0
— Poetry Ireland / Éigse Éireann (@poetryireland) July 29, 2021

The chosen Poet Laureates, who will either be from the respective local area or have strong connections with it, will be commissioned to write a poem honouring their Poetry Town and its people.

The Poet Laureates for each town will be announced next month.

Poetry Town activities will take place in the following 20 towns:

Adare, Co Limerick;
Athenry, Co Galway;
Bailieborough, Co Cavan;
Ballycastle, Co Antrim;
Bandon, Co Cork;
Belmullet, Co Mayo;
Bray, Co Wicklow;
Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim;
Carrick-on-Suir, Co Tipperary;
Cootehill, Co Cavan;
Dublin 1, Co Dublin;
Dungarvan, Co Waterford;
Dunshaughlin, Co Meath;
Ennistymon, Co Clare;
Listowel, Co Kerry;
Mountmellick, Co Laois;
Naas, Co Kildare;
Strokestown, Co Roscommon;
Tullamore, Co Offaly;
Wexford Town, Co Wexford.

Commenting, Director of Poetry Ireland, Niamh O’Donnell said: “The idea behind Poetry Town is to celebrate the many vibrant towns and communities across the island of Ireland, through poetry, collaboration and communal experiences."