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.

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