Poetry Prompts
The Poetry Prompts project began on 13 March 2020, the first day of the closure of Poetry Ireland, schools, colleges and businesses, due to Covid-19 restrictions, as a way to help people connect through poetry during difficult periods of self-isolation.
Catherine Ann began posting a daily #PoetryPrompt duo on Twitter and Facebook, one for adults and one for children. From August 2020, after 200 prompts had been posted, these changed to two weekly prompts. They’ve engaged poets of all ages, many writing for the first time, and we’ve received enthusiastic feedback from responders who have formed a supportive online community (and have continued the prompts amongst themselves since the residency ended, under the hashtag #PromptCombo).
The Poetry Ireland Facebook and Twitter accounts shared the PoetryPrompts until their conclusion in December 2021.
You can follow Catherine Ann and view the creations she shared from participants - her Twitter handle is @tarryathome
Check out the archive of Poetry Prompts below as a resource if you’d like to start with prompts further back in time.
Find out about the Alphabet Blitz for Dublin prompts (#ABCDublin), which took place from July 2020 - January 2021, here.
"I watched for a while as the blackbird feasted": @LiamPort on the #PoetryPrompt of #apple. #PoetInResidence @poetryireland #SelfIsolationHelp https://t.co/NFvCVsm8om
— Catherine Ann Cullen (@tarryathome) November 27, 2020
Week beginning 27 December
Poetry Prompt for adults - start
Poetry Prompt for kids - miracle
Week beginning 20 December
Poetry Prompt for adults - gift
Poetry Prompt for kids - snowman
Week beginning 13 December
Poetry Prompt for adults - pockets
Poetry Prompt for kids - reindeer
Week beginning 6 December
Poetry Prompt for adults - BlindingLight
Poetry Prompt for kids - bridge
Week beginning 29 November
Poetry Prompt for adults - float
Poetry Prompt for kids - wizard
Week beginning 22 November
Poetry Prompt for adults - epitaph
Poetry Prompt for kids - robin
Week beginning 15 November
Poetry Prompt for adults - forbidden
Poetry Prompt for kids - litter
Week beginning 8 November
Poetry Prompt for adults - age
Poetry Prompt for kids - paper boat
Week beginning 1 November
Poetry Prompt for adults - soul
Poetry Prompt for kids - winter
Week beginning 25 October
Poetry Prompt for adults - portrait
Poetry Prompt for kids - decorate
Week beginning 18 October
Poetry Prompt for adults - voice
Poetry Prompt for kids - pumpkin
Week beginning 11 October
Poetry Prompt for adults - budget
Poetry Prompt for kids - waterfall
Week beginning 4 October
Poetry Prompt for adults - magpie
Poetry Prompt for kids - dictionary
Week beginning 27 September
Poetry Prompt for adults - Dante
Poetry Prompt for kids - bounce
Week beginning 20 September
Poetry Prompt for adults - prickly
Poetry Prompt for kids - fluffy
Week beginning 13 September
Poetry Prompt for adults - lace
Poetry Prompt for kids - park
Week beginning 6 September
Poetry Prompt for adults - health
Poetry Prompt for kids - school
Week beginning 30 August
Poetry Prompt for adults - fall
Poetry Prompt for kids - knot
Week beginning 23 August
Poetry Prompt for adults - gate
Poetry Prompt for kids - bee
Week beginning 16 August
Poetry Prompt for adults - Heritage Week
Poetry Prompt for kids - bright idea
Week beginning 9 August
Poetry Prompt for adults - Hakuna Matata
Poetry Prompt for kids - gold medal
Week beginning 2 August
Poetry Prompt for adults - shrine
Poetry Prompt for kids - splash
Week beginning 26 July
Poetry Prompt for adults - reading
Poetry Prompt for kids - ice cream
Week beginning 19 July
Poetry Prompt for adults - table
Poetry Prompt for kids - weather
Week beginning 12 July
Poetry Prompt for adults - eavesdrop
Poetry Prompt for kids - buttercup
Week beginning 5 July
Poetry Prompt for adults - eavesdrop
Poetry Prompt for kids - buttercup
Week beginning 28 June
Poetry Prompt for adults - breathe
Poetry Prompt for kids - food
Week beginning 21 June
Poetry Prompt for adults - pride
Poetry Prompt for kids - hen
Week beginning 14 June
Poetry Prompt for adults - key
Poetry Prompt for kids - shopping
Week beginning 7 June
Poetry Prompt for adults - the hat
Poetry Prompt for kids - diving
Week beginning 31 May
Poetry Prompt for adults - marble
Poetry Prompt for kids - kids
Week beginning 24 May
Poetry Prompt for adults - butterfly
Poetry Prompt for kids - peacock
Week beginning 17 May
Poetry Prompt for adults - leaning
Poetry Prompt for kids - smiling
Week beginning 10 May
Poetry Prompt for adults - quest
Poetry Prompt for kids - knitting
Week beginning 3 May
Poetry Prompt for adults - whistle
Poetry Prompt for kids - seagull
Week beginning 26 April
Poetry Prompt for adults - soar
Poetry Prompt for kids - sunny
Week beginning 19 April
Poetry Prompt for adults - cushion
Poetry Prompt for kids - lamb
Week beginning 12 April
Poetry Prompt for adults - barb
Poetry Prompt for kids - chase
Week beginning 5 April
Poetry Prompt for adults - egg
Poetry Prompt for kids - rabbit
Week beginning 29 March
Poetry Prompt for adults - limit
Poetry Prompt for kids - eyes
Week beginning 22 March
Poetry Prompt for adults - Snake
Poetry Prompt for kids - Shark
Week beginning 15 March
Poetry Prompt for adults - Circle
Poetry Prompt for kids - Castle
Week beginning 8 March
Poetry Prompt for adults - #HerStory
Poetry Prompt for kids - Mice
Week beginning 1 March
Poetry Prompt for adults - Deep water
Poetry Prompt for kids - Hedgehog
Week beginning 22 February
Poetry Prompt for adults - Carve
Poetry Prompt for kids - Walrus
Week beginning 15 February
Poetry Prompt for adults - Climbing
Poetry Prompt for kids - Pancake
Week beginning 8 February
Poetry Prompt for adults - Stepping Stones
Poetry Prompt for kids - Hot Drink
Week beginning 1 February
Poetry Prompt for adults - Imbolc
Poetry Prompt for kids - Spring
Week beginning 25 January
Poetry Prompt for adults - parallel
Poetry Prompt for kids - cherry blossom
Week beginning 18 January
Poetry Prompt for adults - pain
Poetry Prompt for kids - jump
Week beginning 11 January
Poetry Prompt for adults - thin ice
Poetry Prompt for kids - visitor
Week beginning 4 January
Poetry Prompt for adults - grip
Poetry Prompt for kids - oops
Week beginning 28 December
Poetry Prompt for adults - exit
Poetry Prompt for kids - New Year's Resolution
Week beginning 21 December
Poetry Prompt for adults - star
Poetry Prompt for kids - snowglobe
#ABCDublin Poetry Prompt - Z
Week beginning 14 December
Poetry Prompt for adults - solstice
Poetry Prompt for kids - candle
#ABCDublin Poetry Prompt - Y
Week beginning 7 December
Poetry Prompt for adults - fog
Poetry Prompt for kids - elf
#ABCDublin Poetry Prompt - X
Week beginning 30 November
Poetry Prompt for adults - chimney
Poetry Prompt for kids - crocodiles
#ABCDublin Poetry Prompt - W
Week beginning 23 November
Poetry Prompt for adults - maze
Poetry Prompt for kids - worm
#ABCDublin Poetry Prompt - V
Week beginning 16 November
Poetry Prompt for adults - apple
Poetry Prompt for kids - squirrel
#ABCDublin Poetry Prompt - U
Week beginning 9 November
Poetry Prompt for adults - tangle
Poetry Prompt for kids - pyramid
#ABCDublin Poetry Prompt - T
Week beginning 2 November
Poetry Prompt for adults - tin
Poetry Prompt for kids - moon
#ABCDublin Poetry Prompt - S
Week beginning 26 October
Poetry Prompt for adults - witch
Poetry Prompt for kids - Halloween
#ABCDublin Poetry Prompt - R
Week beginning 19 October
Poetry Prompt for adults - FigLeaf
Poetry Prompt for kids - autumn colours
#ABCDublin Poetry Prompt - Q
Week beginning 12 October
Poetry Prompt for adults - door
Poetry Prompt for kids - cactus
#ABCDublin Poetry Prompt - P
Week beginning 5 October
Poetry Prompt for adults - icon
Poetry Prompt for kids - chips
#ABCDublin Poetry Prompt - O
Week beginning 28 September
Poetry Prompt for adults - incongruity
Poetry Prompt for kids - conker
#ABCDublin Poetry Prompt - N
Week beginning 21 September
Poetry Prompt for adults - autumn
Poetry Prompt for kids - flowers
#ABCDublin Poetry Prompt - M
Week beginning 14 September
Poetry Prompt for adults - web
Poetry Prompt for kids - pirate
#ABCDublin Poetry Prompt - L
Week beginning 7 September
Poetry Prompt for adults - undergrowth
Poetry Prompt for kids - forest
#ABCDublin Poetry Prompt - K
Week beginning 31 August
Poetry Prompt for adults - blackbird
Poetry Prompt for kids - unicorn
#ABCDublin Poetry Prompt - J
Week beginning 24 August
Poetry Prompt for adults - coffee
Poetry Prompt for kids - school
#ABCDublin Poetry Prompt - I
Week beginning 17 August
Poetry Prompt for adults - ballad
Poetry Prompt for kids - award
#ABCDublin Poetry Prompt - H
Week beginning 10 August
Poetry Prompt for adults - sky
Poetry Prompt for kids - glass
#ABCDublin Poetry Prompt - G
Week beginning 3 August
Poetry Prompt for adults - horse
Poetry Prompt for kids - jellyfish
#ABCDublin Poetry Prompt - F
Fri 31 July
Poetry Prompt for adults - triptych
Poetry Prompt for kids - my room
Thurs 30 July
Poetry Prompt for adults - well
Poetry Prompt for kids - chocolate
Wed 29 July
#ABCDublin Poetry Prompt - E
Tues 28 July
Poetry Prompt for adults - souvenir
Poetry Prompt for kids - joke
Mon 27 July
Poetry Prompt for adults - flood
Poetry Prompt for kids - blackberries
Fri 24 July
Poetry Prompt for adults - trilogy
Poetry Prompt for kids - car
Thurs 23 July
Poetry Prompt for adults - mulch
Poetry Prompt for kids - mouth
Wed 22 July
#ABCDublin Poetry Prompt - D
Tues 21 July
Poetry Prompt for adults - bandage
Poetry Prompt for kids - baking
Mon 20 July
Poetry Prompt for adults - wither
Poetry Prompt for kids - pig
Fri 17 July
Poetry Prompt for adults - triangle
Poetry Prompt for kids - spots
Thurs 16 July
Poetry Prompt for adults - crow
Poetry Prompt for kids - orange
Wed 15 July
#ABCDublin Poetry Prompt - C
Tues 14 July
Poetry Prompt for adults - lifebuoy
Poetry Prompt for kids - chair
Mon 13 July
Poetry Prompt for adults - stump
Poetry Prompt for kids - freckles
Fri 10 July
Poetry Prompt for adults - three wishes
Poetry Prompt for kids - twins
Thurs 9 July
Poetry Prompt for adults - silver
Poetry Prompt for kids - flower
Wed 8 July
#ABCDublin Poetry Prompt - B
Tues 7 July
Poetry Prompt for adults - fire
Poetry Prompt for kids - rock star
Mon 6 July
Poetry Prompt for adults - bee
Poetry Prompt for kids - bicycle
Fri 3 July
Poetry Prompt for adults - tricolour
Poetry Prompt for kids - pet
Thurs 2 July
Poetry Prompt for adults - horizon
Poetry Prompt for kids - umbrella
Wed 1 July
#ABCDublin Poetry Prompt - A
Tues 30 June
Poetry Prompt for adults - footprint
Poetry Prompt for kids - jigsaw
Mon 29 June
Poetry Prompt for adults - nest
Poetry Prompt for kids - plane
Fri 26 June
Poetry Prompt for adults - Three Generations
Poetry Prompt for kids - mask
Thurs 25 June
Poetry Prompt for adults - cactus
Poetry Prompt for kids - kite
Wed 24 June
Poetry Prompt for adults - hollow
Poetry Prompt for kids - stripes
Tues 23 June
Poetry Prompt for adults - wall
Poetry Prompt for kids - cloud
Mon 22 June
Poetry Prompt for adults - end
Poetry Prompt for kids - door
Fri 19 June
Poetry Prompt for adults - Veni Vidi Vici - I Came I Saw I Conquered
Poetry Prompt for kids - bones
Thurs 18 June
Poetry Prompt for adults - folly
Poetry Prompt for kids - shoes
Wed 17 June
Poetry Prompt for adults - roots
Poetry Prompt for kids - galaxy
Tues 16 June
Poetry Prompt for adults - odyssey
Poetry Prompt for kids - balloon
Mon 15 June
Poetry Prompt for adults - steps
Poetry Prompt for kids - gymnastics
Fri 12 June
Poetry Prompt for adults - BellBookCandle
Poetry Prompt for kids - bell
Thurs 11 June
Poetry Prompt for adults - rain
Poetry Prompt for kids - penguin
Wed 10 June
Poetry Prompt for adults - waterfall
Poetry Prompt for kids - hair
Tues 9 June
Poetry Prompt for adults - shadow
Poetry Prompt for kids - box
Mon 8 June
Poetry Prompt for adults - statue
Poetry Prompt for kids - grafitti
Fri 5 June
Poetry Prompt for adults - island
Poetry Prompt for kids - snowman
Thurs 4 June
Poetry Prompt for adults - courage
Poetry Prompt for kids - rainbow
Wed 3 June
Poetry Prompt for adults - justice
Poetry Prompt for kids - music
Tues 2 June
Poetry Prompt for adults - camera
Poetry Prompt for kids - donkey
Mon 1 June
Poetry Prompt for adults - space
Poetry Prompt for kids - lego
Fri 29 May
Poetry Prompt for adults - Faith Hope Charity
Poetry Prompt for kids - dance
Thurs 28 May
Poetry Prompt for adults - sold
Poetry Prompt for kids - bat
Wed 27 May
Poetry Prompt for adults - jigsaw
Poetry Prompt for kids - teddy
Tues 26 May
Poetry Prompt for adults - swan
Poetry Prompt for kids - scarecrow
Mon 25 May
Poetry Prompt for adults - snail
Poetry Prompt for kids - sunset
Fri 22 May
Poetry Prompt for adults - fables
Poetry Prompt for kids - elephant
Thurs 21 May
Poetry Prompt for adults - 100
Poetry Prompt for kids - 99
Wed 20 May
Poetry Prompt for adults - lichen
Poetry Prompt for kids - football
Tues 19 May
Poetry Prompt for adults - hair
Poetry Prompt for kids - dolphin
Mon 18 May
Poetry Prompt for adults - sphinx
Poetry Prompt for kids - boat
Fri 15 May
Poetry Prompt for adults - liberty
Poetry Prompt for kids - octopus
Thurs 14 May
Poetry Prompt for adults - Russian dolls
Poetry Prompt for kids - clown
Wed 13 May
Poetry Prompt for adults - shell
Poetry Prompt for kids - teacher
Tues 12 May
Poetry Prompt for adults - nurse
Poetry Prompt for kids - nurse
Mon 11 May
Poetry Prompt for adults - rose
Poetry Prompt for kids - surprise
Fri 8 May
Poetry Prompt for adults - hearts
Poetry Prompt for kids - chalk
Thurs 7 May
Poetry Prompt for adults - silk
Poetry Prompt for kids - window
Wed 6 May
Poetry Prompt for adults - mermaid
Poetry Prompt for kids - bus
Tues 5 May
Poetry Prompt for adults - reflection nó scáil más fearr leat. Reflect on that one in whatever way you wish!
Poetry Prompt for kids - monster nó ollphéist /arracht más fearr leat. How would it feel to be a monster? Or would you rather write about meeting and defeating one?
Mon 4 May
Poetry Prompt for adults - hawthorn nó SceachGheal más fearr leat.
Poetry Prompt for kids - shirt nó léine más fearr leat. Do you or does someone you know own a colourful shirt? How does it feel to wear one? Or are they embarrassing?
Fri 1 May
Poetry Prompt for adults - cycle no rothaíocht mas féarr libh.
Poetry Prompt for kids - MagicLamp nó LampaDraíochta más fearr leat. Have you heard a story of a magic lamp? What would you wish for if you found one?
Thurs 30 April
Poetry Prompt for adults - poetry
Poetry Prompt for kids - rap
Wed 29 April
Poetry Prompt for adults - time
Poetry Prompt for kids - cow nó bó
Tues 28 April
Poetry Prompt for adults - in honour of Eavan Boland, RIP, pomegranate nó Pomagrainít más fearr leat.
Poetry Prompt for kids - bandage nó buadán más fearr leat. Or is it a plaster? You can tell us why you needed a bandage, or imagine a bandage that fits the whole world
Mon 27 April
Poetry Prompt for adults - Gratitude
Poetry Prompt for kids - Thank you
Fri 24 April
Poetry Prompt for adults - The Three Fates nó NanTrí Fáithe
Poetry Prompt for kids - Myself nó Mé Féin más fearr leat
Thurs 23 April
Poetry Prompt for adults - print nó cló más fearr leat. And on Shakespeare’s anniversary, you may be inspired to write a sonnet.
Poetry Prompt for kids - tiger nó tíogar más fearr leat. Have you seen a tiger? Imagine being one. What would happen if a tiger walked down your street?
Wed 22 April
Poetry Prompt for adults - scaffolding nó scafall más fearr leat.
Poetry Prompt for kids - post - an focal céanna i nGaeilge! Do you ever get or send post? Would you like to deliver the post? Do you get post/mail by email?
Tues 21 April
Poetry Prompt for adults - blossom nó fionnscoth más fearr leat.
Poetry Prompt for kids - sun nó grian más fearr leat. What do you like to do in the sun? What does the sun do at night?
Mon 20 April
Poetry Prompt for adults - moonlight nó SolasNaGealaí
Poetry Prompt for kids - friends nó cairde más fearr leat. Have you a friend? Lots of friends? Did you ever have an imaginary friend? Are u a good friend?
Fri 17 April
Poetry Prompt for adults - BirdsEyeView nó RadharcÉan
Poetry Prompt for kids - spider nó DamhánAlla más fearr leat. Do you love spiders? How would it feel to spin a web
Thurs 16 April
Poetry Prompt for adults - library, nó leabharlann
Poetry Prompt for kids - library, nó leabharlann más fearr leat. Are libraries magical? What's the best thing about them? Would you like to run a library?
Wed 15 April
Poetry Prompt for adults - fanlight, nó feanléas
Poetry Prompt for kids - cake, nó CácaMilis más fearr leat. What’s your favourite cake? Did you ever make one? How does a cake feel when it’s being eaten?
Tues 14 April
Poetry Prompt for adults - hearth, nó tinteán
Poetry Prompt for kids - mountain, nó sliabh más fearr leat. Have you ever climbed a mountain? How did it feel?What would a mountain say if it could talk
Mon 13 April
Poetry Prompt for adults - recipe, nó oideas más fearr leat.
Poetry Prompt for kids - nose, nó srón más fearr leat. Do you like noses? How does a nose change as it grows older? What would a nose say if it could talk?
Fri 10 April
Poetry Prompt for adults - three, nó trí más fearr leat. You could write a trinity of poems
Poetry Prompt for kids - egg, nó ubh más fearr leat. Is your egg in a nest, on a plate, an Easter egg, a talking egg?
Thurs 9 April
Poetry Prompt for adults - butterfly nó féileacán más fearr leat.
Poetry Prompt for kids - fox, nó sionnach más fearr leat. Tell us about a fox you've seen, or an imaginary one, or write from a fox's point of view.
Wed 8 April
Poetry Prompt for adults - dandelion, nó caisearbhán más fearr leat dán a chumadh i nGaeilge.
Poetry Prompt for kids - rain, nó baisteach más fearr leat. Will your poem have the rain talking? Or will it be about someone or something who loves or hates rain?
Tues 7 April
Poetry Prompt for adults - write on 'swimming' - snámh, más maith leath dán a chumadh i nGaeilge
Poetry Prompt for kids - flying or eitilt, más feidir leat! Did you ever dream you were flying? How would you like to fly: as bird, a butterfly, or a human with wings?
Mon 6 April
Poetry Prompt for adults - write on the theme 'feather'
Poetry Prompt for kids - OffWeGo. Where are you heading - on a real or an imaginary journey? What will you bring? What do you hope to find?
Fri 3 April
Poetry Prompt for adults - write on the theme 'bull'. Between legends, fights and "a load of..", you have many possibilities!
Poetry Prompt for kids - winning. Is your poem about winning a prize? Achieving something only you know is a win?
Thurs 2 April
Poetry Prompt for adults - write on the theme 'message'
Poetry Prompt for kids - MessageInABottle. What will be in your bottle? A map? A cry for help? An old letter?
Wed 1 April
Poetry Prompt for adults - theme is 'fool'
Poetry Prompt for kids - AprilFool. Will you write about a trick you played? Or one that was played on you? Do you love/hate April Fool's Day? We’d love to hear!
Tues 31 March
Poetry Prompt for adults - theme is river
Poetry Prompt for kids - write about sea. Is your sea a place to go on holiday? Near where you live? Does it tickle your toes ? Crash on the shore? We’d love to hear!
Mon 30 March
Poetry Prompt for adults - write on the theme 'leaf'
Poetry Prompt for kids - write about a monkey. Is your monkey real or imagined? Alone or in a troop like these lively ones? Mischievous or serious?
Fri 27 March
Poetry Prompt for adults - write on 'monument'
Poetry Prompt for kids - 'Baddies' in stories are called 'ugly' (like the sisters) or 'wicked'. Write from the point of view of one of them and make us like them!
Thurs 26 March
Poetry Prompt for adults - use the word 'perform'
Poetry Prompt for kids - write about an owl. Is your owl wise? Fierce? Mysterious?
Wed 25 March
Poetry Prompt for adults - write on resistance
Poetry Prompt for kids - write about blushing. Do you ever blush? Why? How does it feel?
Tues 24 March
Poetry Prompt for adults - write on the theme paper: newspaper, toilet paper, any kind of paper!
Poetry Prompt for kids - write on MotherEarth. Is she a real person? Or a planet we must cherish?
Mon 23 March
Poetry Prompt for adults - write on the theme distance
Poetry Prompt for kids - write about a real path or one you imagine
Fri 20 March
Poetry Prompt for adults - write a lullaby for a child/adult/person in history
Poetry Prompt for kids - write a lullaby for a baby/grown-up/animal
Thurs 19 March
Poetry Prompt for adults - write on the theme Midas
Poetry Prompt for kids - write a poem about a dog: your dog, my dog Clara (that's her in the pic), or an imaginary dog!
Wed 18 March
Poetry Prompt for adults - write on the theme light
Poetry Prompt for kids - write a poem about a tree - one you see every day, or one you imagine
Tues 17 March
Poetry Prompt for adults - write on the theme island
Poetry Prompt for kids - write a poem about a snake, maybe one Patrick sent away, or any snake at all
Mon 16 March
Poetry Prompt for adults - write about bread
Poetry Prompt for kids - write about birds
Fri 13 March
Poetry Prompt for adults - write about sanctuary
Poetry Prompt for kids - write about a magic hat and create a picture too