IMRAM and Poetry Ireland Launch Two Poetry Competitions
IMRAM and Poetry Ireland are delighted to announce two competitions for post-primary school students across the island of Ireland: The Bashō Prize , a haiku competition, and Guth na hÉigse , a poetry recitation competition. Both initiatives, funded by the Arts Council and Foras na Gaeilge, provide young people with the opportunity to compose and present poetry.
Last year over 500 teenagers from 19 schools in Dublin, Donegal, Wicklow, Offaly, Kerry, Tyrone, Cork, Waterford, Louth, Limerick and Kildare took part in the Basho Prize competition. We hope that even more young people will take part this year.
The competition will be judged by renowned writer and Aosdána member Gabriel Rosenstock . Haiku is the shortest poetic form in the world, which emerged in Japan in the 17th Century, and flourished during the time of the great master, Basho . Haiku poems are usually written in three lines and contain a maximum of seventeen syllables.
In the competition Guth na hÉigse, where students are invited to recite poems from a pre-selected list in front of an audience. By participating in this competition, students increase their self-confidence, presentation skills and understanding of Irish language poetry.
Both competitions will culminate in a special celebration in the Smock Alley Theatre, Dublin on 21 November , as part of the IMRAM Festival. During this event, students will have the opportunity to perform on a professional stage, meet other young poets, and participate in a vibrant Irish language poetry community.
More information:
Majella Ní Chríocháin, IMRAM Manager
Fiona Ní Ghloinn, Development Officer,