Poet Laureates

The Poet Laureates for Poetry Town 2021 are:  
 

Áine Uí Fhoghlú - Dungarvan Poet Laureate 
A writer of poetry and fiction, Áine comes from the Waterford Gaeltacht area, An Rinn. 
Find out more
 

Anne Walsh Donnelly - Belmullet Poet Laureate 
A writer of poetry, prose and plays, Anne lives in Co Mayo. 
Find out more
 

Arthur Broomfield - Mountmellick Poet Laureate 
A native of Ballyfin, Co Laois, Arthur is a poet and Beckett scholar. 
Find out more 
 

Billy Fenton - Carrick-on-Suir Poet Laureate 
A poet and short story writer, Billy was born in and grew up in Carrick-on-Suir.  
Find out more 
 

Cormac Lally - Tullamore Poet Laureate  
One of Ireland’s top spoken word artists, Cormac moved to Skibbereen in 2015 but he is born and bred in Tullamore. 
Find out more  
 

Dairena Ní Chinnéide - Listowel Poet Laureate 
A bilingual poet living in West Kerry, Dairena has published eleven collections to date. 
Find out more 
 

Edward O’Dwyer - Adare Poet Laureate 
A native of Limerick, Edward is a poet, fiction writer and a secondary school teacher.  
Find out more
 

Elaine Feeney - Athenry Poet Laureate 
Athenry has always had a draw for the poet and novelist, bringing her back time after time. 
Find out more
 

Grace Wells - Ennistymon Poet Laureate 
An eco-poet, author, re-wilder, and yoga teacher, Grace is very proud to live in Ennistymon.  
Find out more
 

Kate Newmann - Ballycastle Poet Laureate 
Kate, who has published five collections of poetry, has a special connection to the coastal town. 
Find out more 
 

Kayssie K. - Bray Poet Laureate  
Bray has a special place in the poet and singer-writer's heart, as a town where she grew up and a place that has fuelled her creativity.  
Find out more
 

Mairead Donnellan - Bailieborough Poet Laureate  
Mairéad, whose first collection will be published later this year, has a strong connection to the town through her family. 
Find out more 
 

Mary O’Donnell - Naas Poet Laureate 
Poet, short-story writer and novelist, Mary lives near Straffan, Co Kildare.  
Find out more 
 

Matthew Geden - Bandon Poet Laureate 
Matthew, who also teaches creative writing at UCC, has strong ties with the town of Bandon. 
Find out more 
 

Noel Monahan - Cootehill Poet Laureate  
The poet and playwright has had many connections with the town over the years, particularly with the Coothehill Arts Festival.  
Find out more 
 

Noelle Lynskey - Strokestown Poet Laureate 
Noelle is now living in Portumna, Co Galway, but is originally from Strokestown, where she still has many connections. 
Find out more 

Orla Fay - Dunshaughlin Poet Laureate 
A poet and editor, Orla is from Meath and lives in a village close to nearby Navan. 
Find out more 
 

Rachael Hegarty - Dublin 1 Poet Laureate  
A native Dubliner, the poet and teacher has strong local ties to the Dublin 1 area, having lived at various addresses over the years. 
Find out more  
 

Sasha Terfous - Wexford Poet Laureate  
Sasha grew up in New Ross and has emerged from the South East arts community as an important figure in Ireland’s spoken word community.
Find out more 
 

Vincent Woods - Carrick-on-Shannon Poet Laureate  
The writer and broadcaster has strong and evocative memories from times gone by in the town. 
Find out more