About Us

Poetry Ireland / Éigse Éireann connects poetry and people. We are committed to achieving excellence in the reading, writing and performance of poetry throughout the island of Ireland. Our commitment to creating performance and publication opportunities for poets at all stages of their careers helps ensure that the best work is made available to the widest possible audience, securing a future for Irish poetry that is as celebrated as its past.

Poetry Ireland / Éigse Éireann is proudly funded by The Arts Council of Ireland / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and through The Arts Council of Northern Ireland National Lottery Funding. We also enjoy rewarding partnerships with arts centres, festivals, schools, colleges and bookshops at home and abroad.

2026 will make a significant milestone for Poetry Ireland with the opening of No. 11 Parnell Square East, Dublin. This significant conservation-led project marks the beginning of a new chapter for the iconic Georgian building and Poetry Ireland as we create an inclusive cultural centre dedicated to celebrating and sharing Irish poetry, heritage and culture with the public. The key elements of this project will be the establishment of the Seamus Heaney Poetry Library, a dedicated performance and event space and a community engagement/workshop space.  

The Seamus Heaney Library donated by the Heaney family contains Seamus Heaney’s remarkable personal library. Our library will also house the Austin Clarke Library, an American contemporary library and an Irish contemporary collection.