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!
— Poetry Ireland / Éigse Éireann (@poetryireland) July 29, 2021
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
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."

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