Poetry Day Ireland Returns on 1 May 2025 with the Theme ‘May Day’
Poetry Ireland is delighted to announce that Poetry Day Ireland 2025 will take place on Thursday, 1 May, with this year’s theme: ‘May Day’.
Submissions are now open for the Bright Ideas bursary, as well as general event registration, inviting individuals, groups, and organisations across the country to take part in this all-island celebration of poetry.
The theme ‘May Day’ offers a rich source of poetic inspiration. As the midpoint between the spring and autumn equinox, May Day is deeply rooted in ancient traditions, including the fire festival of Bealtaine, symbolising renewal, hope, and abundance. The day is also recognised globally as International Workers’ Day, a time for reflection on solidarity, unity, and collective strength.
Now in its 11th year, Poetry Day Ireland continues to inspire and connect people through poetry. Poetry Ireland encourages artists, community groups, schools, organisations, venues, and poetry lovers everywhere to get involved. Whether hosting a reading, performance, or creative workshop, participants can find all information on registering their Poetry Day Ireland events or applying for Bright Ideas bursary at poetryday.ie.
Liz Kelly, Director of Poetry Ireland, says, “May Day presents ample food for thought as our Poetry Day Ireland 2025 theme. May is the month when nature seems to be bursting out of her skin, filling hedgerows and fields with wildflowers, the month of fire and light. Given the state of the world we now live in, we would like everyone, everywhere to take a moment to welcome poetry into their day on May 1st.”
Anne Tannam, Poetry Ireland’s Poet-in-Residence and spokesperson for Poetry Day Ireland, says,“What a joy and privilege to spend May Day immersed in poetry in all its abundant forms and voices. Nature sprouts, and we spout! I can’t wait to experience the outpouring of poetry from across the island on Poetry Day Ireland.”
Bring your Poetry Day Ireland project to life with the Bright Ideas bursary. Poetry Ireland invites applications for Bright Ideas, a bursary designed to support and enable individuals, groups, producers, venues and arts organisations to present and promote creative events and projects celebrating poetry across the island on 1st May 2025.
Poetry Ireland are offering a maximum of €500 each towards selected creative and innovative projects for Poetry Day Ireland 2025 through this public submissions call out. The submission form is now live at poetryday.ie to apply. The deadline for submissions is Friday, 28 March 2025.
Planning an event for May 1st that aligns with Poetry Day Ireland? Make it part of the nationwide celebration by registering your event to be included in the official Poetry Day Ireland programme. The registration form is now live at poetryday.ie and will remain open until 11 April. We encourage event registrations from all counties and for all age groups, welcoming a diverse range of ways to engage with poetry.
For more information on Poetry Day Ireland 2025, visit poetryday.ie. However you choose to celebrate, Poetry Ireland invites everyone to take part on Thursday, 1 May 2025. Whether attending an event, reading a poem, or sharing your love of poetry online, be sure to tag @PoetryIreland on Instagram, Facebook, X, Bluesky, and Tiktok and use the hashtag #PoetryDayIRL.
Poetry Day Ireland is supported by The Arts Council Ireland, the National Lottery through the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Iarnród Éireann, RTE Supporting The Arts and Dublin City Council.