This was it for 2022 – have a look at our gallery for a taste of what went on, and read our full farewell to the festival.
Have you been to one of our 2022 events? Do you have a few minutes to let us know what you thought about it? If so, we would really appreciate it if you could go to our online survey. Click on the link, or copy and paste this into your browser: https://forms.gle/GRNJX22BQwZP6Voq5
Alternatively, do send us a quick email! We read them all, even though we may not be able to respond to each individually. Our address is: fingalpoetryfestival@fingalpoetryfestivalThank you for being part of the 2022 Fingal Poetry Festival!
Here is our full list of 2022 events. You can also download the programme as a PDF. (Best done on a computer, opens in a new tab.) And don’t forget to check our 2022 festival gallery!
The sea, that blue end of the world…
— Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Secure your tickets now on Eventbrite (booking fees apply* except for free events),
or come early – there will be tickets available on the day.
Online booking ends 24 hours before the event starts.
*Fingal Poetry Festival aims to be as inclusive as possible and to provide access to our events to all. There are many FREE events during the Festival. If you are on a low income or unwaged, please avail of the reduced ticket rate for ticketed events.
See also our
list of events for our younger audiences throughout Saturday and Sunday!
And then there are our events with Irish Sign Language Interpretation agus imeachtaí le Gaeilge / Irish and Irish-English bilingual events!
We continue to promote sustainability as much as we can in every aspect of the festival. This year we are working with the Active Travel Department in Fingal County Council to provide sustainable modes of transport for people as they travel to Skerries and move from event to event. Watch this space for more updates!
Thursday 1 September
Illumination of Floraville
and Launch of the Fingal Poetry Festival 2022 💥 More…
- Location: Floraville Park, Strand Street, Skerries Co. Dublin
- Date and Time: Thurs 1 September 2022, 8.30 – 9.30 pm
Celebrating the light that poetry brings to our lives. Join us for the launch of the Festival and an evening of poetry and spectacular video display.
Free event – Saor in aisce! No need to prebook, just show up.
Floraville will play stage to poetry and music, launching this year’s Festival in style, by celebrating the light that poetry brings to our lives. Listen to poetry and watch a live performance of “Currents”, a specially commissioned poem by Sunday’s Child, which will also feature in our spectacular new video projection, staying in situ until the Final Verses have rung out on September 18th.
Music: Oscar Churcher and Diarmuid Slattery.
Free event, all welcome!!
Thursday 15 September
Opening Verses 💥 More…
Location: The Watermills Café, Skerries Mills
Time and Date: Thursday 15 September 2022, from 8 pm. Doors: 7.30 pm
Languages: Irish Sign Language Interpretation. Bilingual: Irish / English.
Tickets (on Eventbrite or at the door): €12 (€10 unwaged / low income)
We are opening our 2022 festival with an evening of poetry both live and on video, followed by an aerial dance spectacle.
Presenting an exciting new film poem by Pat Boran, especially commissioned for the Fingal Poetry Festival.
Live readings will be provided by Aifric Mac Aodha, and UK-based poet, Kate Miller.
Music: Keith Burke and Sarah May Rogers
MAKOSH – An aerial dance spectacle with Polina Shapkina and Ruairí O’Shea
More Details…
Friday 16 September
Lunchtime Poems 💥More…
Location: Joe May’s Pub (upstairs), Skerries Harbour
This event is not wheelchair accessible.
Date and Time: Fri 16 September 2022, 1-2 pm
Tickets (on Eventbrite or at the door): €8 (€6 unwaged / low income)
Please bring coins for the Honesty Box if you want to buy soup/sandwich.
The first of our festival lunchtime readings in this iconic Fingal location features poets Michael O’Loughlin and Breda Wall Ryan with music by Muireann McDonnell.
Poetry, music and a bite to eat overlooking beautiful Skerries Harbour – what’s not to like??
More details…
Community Poets Invite 💥 More…
- Location: Skerries Harps GAA Club, Thomas Hand Street, Skerries
- Date and Time: Fri 16 September 2022, 5 – 6.30 pm
- Languages: Irish Sign Language Interpretation.
- Tickets (on Eventbrite or at the door): €8 (€6 unwaged / low income)
Our series focussing on Poetry in the Community continues this year with readings from Donabate’s Chinkwell Writers with very special guest, poet Nessa O’Mahony. Music by Liz Seaver.
More details…
Fingal Poetry Slam 💥 More…
Location: The Watermills Café, Skerries Mills
Date and Time: Fri 16 September 2022, 7 pm
Tickets (on Eventbrite or at the door): €7 (€5 unwaged / low income)
Hugely popular night with performance poets competing for the title of Festival Slam Champion. With featured poets Emmet O’Brien and Sheila Ryder
Music: Thunderclap (Aidan) Murphy
Be part of this yourself: Call for submissions is open until 12 August!
More details…
Music and the Muse 💥 More…
- Location: Irish Institute of Music and Song, Church Street, Balbriggan
- Date and Time: Fri 16 September 2022, 8 pm
- Tickets (on Eventbrite or at the door): €15 (€12 unwaged / low income)
A glittering night of poetry and song featuring new poetic voice Nithy Kasa and one of Ireland’s best-known poets and writers, Dermot Bolger.
Music by the Sarah May Rogers Band.
More details…
Saturday 17 September
See also our
list of events for our younger audiences throughout Saturday and Sunday!
Poetry Walk through the High Woods, Ardgillan
💥 More…
- Location: Meet us at the Coffee Dock, Upper Car Park, Ardgillan
- Date and Time: Sat 17 September 2022, 10-11 am
- Tickets (on Eventbrite or on the day): FREE, but numbers are limited
Join us for a wander among Ardgillan’s lovely trees. Led by Enda Coyle-Greene with special guest poet Susan Connolly who will also provide the music. Maybe bring a poem you’d like to share, by yourself or anyone you like!
More details…
‘Night Sky’ Poetry Workshop with Anne Tannam
💥 More…
Location: Online via Zoom
Date and Time: Sat 17 September 2022, 11 am – 1 pm
Language: English
Tickets (on Eventbrite): €20 (€18 unwaged / low income)
A dynamic and interactive ONLINE workshop that will explore through poetry our intimate connection with stars and the night sky. Participants will come away with first drafts of poems, and hopefully, stars in their eyes! All levels of experience welcome.
More details…
An Dán ar an Ardán: Ceardlann Filíochta le Ciara Ní É – Irish Language Poetry Workshop💥 More…
- Location: Ar líne / Online via Zoom
- Date and Time: Sat 17 September 2022, 11 am – 1 pm
- Teanga / Language: Gaeilge
- Tickets (on Eventbrite): €20 (€18 unwaged / low income)
Sa cheardlann seo pléifidh Ciara gach a mbaineann le cur i láthair filíochta, a chabhróidh le gach rannpháirtí teacht ar a stíl féin.
More details…
Poems Signed Sealed Delivered💥 More…
- Location: Joe May’s Pub (upstairs), Skerries Harbour
- This event is not wheelchair accessible.
- Date and Time: Sat 17 September 2022, 1-2 pm
- Language: English, Irish Sign Language Interpretation.
- Tickets (on Eventbrite or at the door): €8 (€6 unwaged / low income)
Please bring coins for the Honesty Box if you want to buy soup/sandwich.
The second of our luchtime readings promises to be a unique event featuring the Deaf Poets Society sharing their work voiced via an interpreter. Also on the bill, Skerries-based Bob Shakeshaft, reading from his recently-published debut collection.
ISL interpretation throughout.
Music: Operatic melodies with Lea Försterling and Eoin Conway.
More details…
Stephen Maguire, typewriter poet 💥 More…
- Location: Outside Egan’s Ocean Fresh Fish Shop, Strand Street, Skerries
- Date and Time: Sat 17 September 2022, 1-4 pm
- Secure your 20 minute slot on Eventbrite or just call over on the day: €6 (online booking fees apply)
Book a 20 minute slot with Stephen, who will write a personal poem, just for you.
More details…
Family Poetry Fest 💥 More…
- Location: Floraville Park, Strand Street, Skerries Co. Dublin
- Languages: Irish Sign Language Interpretation. Bilingual event: Irish / English.
- Date and Time: Sat 17 September 2022, 2-4 pm
- Free event – Saor in aisce! No need to prebook, just show up.
Lots of creative fun centred around words including readings by Áine Ní Ghlinn, the Laureate na nÓg and friends, an Open Mic for children and young adults, painting, games and much more…
More details…
Fingal Poetry Prize & An Fiach Dubh Winners Unveiled💥 More…
- Location: S.A.B.C. Bridge Club, 73B Strand Street, Skerries, K34C951
- Date and Time: Sat 17 September 2022, 3.30-5 pm
- Languages: Bilingual: Irish / English.
- Tickets (on Eventbrite or at the door): FREE but limited capacity – please reserve your ticket online.
What makes a competition-winning poem?
Find out by joining us for readings by our judges, Iggy McGovern and Louis de Paor, two of Ireland’s finest poets, when the results of the Fingal Poetry Prize and An Fiach Dubh will be revealed.
Music: Oscar Churcher and Diarmuid Slattery
More details…
Comhrá & Craic at the Gladstone Inn💥 More…
- Location: Gladstone Inn, Skerries Co. Dublin
- Languages: Irish (all levels welcome)
- Date and Time: Sat 17 September 2022, 5-7 pm
- Free event – Saor in aisce! No need to prebook, just show up.
Gaeilge le chéile. An Irish language conversation group. All levels of Irish speakers welcome.
More details…
Poetry and All That Jazz 💥 More…
- Location: Little Theatre, Skerries
- Date and Time: Sat 17 September 2022, 8 pm
- Tickets (on Eventbrite or at the door): €15 (€12 unwaged / low income)
Poets Angela Gardner and Leontia Flynn will be joined by the Nigel Mooney Trio: Nigel Mooney, Ireland’s King of the Blues on guitar, with Johnny Taylor on piano and Barry Donoghue on bass. Not to be missed!
More details…
Sunday 18 September
See also our
list of events for our younger audiences throughout Saturday and Sunday!
Poetry Walk by the Sea 💥 More…
- Location: Meet us at the Sea Scouts Den, Harbour Road, Skerries
- Date and Time: Sun 18 September 2022, 11 am
- Languages: Bilingual: Irish / English.
- Tickets (on Eventbrite or on the day): FREE, but numbers are limited
The second of our highly enjoyable Poetry Walks, led by Ceaití Ní Bheildiúin with special guest poet Eva O’Connor (Sunday’s Child) and music by Skerries Folk Club.
Meet us by the Sea Scouts’ Den on Harbour Road for a stroll around Red Island, the jewel in Skerries’ crown.
Featuring a stunning live performance piece by Eva O’Connor. Bring a poem by yourself or anyone you like and maybe share it?
More details…
Seomra / Salon with Open Mic💥 More…
- Location: Joe May’s (upstairs), Skerries Harbour.
- This location is not wheelchair-accessible.
- Date and Time: Sun 18 September 2022, 1-2 pm
- Languages: Bilingual: Irish / English.
- Tickets (on Eventbrite or at the door): €8 (€6 unwaged / low income). Suitable for 18yrs+.
Please bring coins for the Honesty Box if you want to buy soup/sandwich.
Have a bite to eat and be entertained by poets Ciara Ní É and Peter O’Neill, with Open Mic to follow.
MC Seána Ó Rodaigh.
Music: Sara Dennedy and Donal Kearney
More details…
Final Verses💥 More…
- Location: Little Theatre, Old Schoolhouse, Dublin Road, Skerries
- Date and Time: Sun 18 September 2022, 3.30-5 pm
- Tickets (on Eventbrite or at the door): €12 (€10 unwaged / low income)
Featuring poetry and music with Mary Branley and GreenBird, and Gerard Smyth, we’re closing this year’s festival in fine eclectic style.
More…
Events for our younger audiences throughout Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 September
Clinic Leabhar do Pháistí / Book Clinic 💥More…
- Location: Holmpatrick National School, Convent Lane, Skerries
- Date and Time: Sat 17 September 2022
BOOK A 15-MINUTE SPACE (10.00 – 11.45am) here on Eventbrite,
or DROP IN (12.15 – 2pm) - Languages: Bilingual: Irish / English.
- Tickets (on Eventbrite or at the door): FREE / Saor in aisce
- No unaccompanied children, please.
Book a slot with the book doctor (bilingual): Beidh an Dochtúir Leabhar linn ó Leabhair Pháistí Éireann chun an leabhar is ansa do do pháiste a phlé & leabhair eile a mholadh di/dó. The book doctor is for young readers seeking an injection of new Irish language literature in their lives. The consultation can facilitate the non-fluent Irish speakers, parent and child alike.
More details…
Siopa Leabhar do Pháistí💥 More…
- Location: Holmpatrick National School,
- Date and Time: Sat 17 September 2022, 11 am – 12.30 pm
- Languages: Bilingual: Irish / English.
- Free event – Saor in aisce! No need to prebook, just show up.
- No unaccompanied children, please.
Is féidir liom léamh! Come and see some Irish children’s books and get inspired. Available to purchase.
More details…
Visit Laureate na nÓg Áine Ní Ghlinn 💥 More…
- Location: Holmpatrick National School, Convent Lane, Skerries
- Date and Time: Sat 17 September 2022, 11 am – 12 noon
- Languages: Bilingual: Irish / English. Participating children should have some Irish.
- Tickets (on Eventbrite or at the door): Free, but limited capacity.
Children can attend on their own, but parents are invited to join them at the end.
At this stimulating, fun workshop for 10-12 yr olds with Áine Ní Ghlinn, the Children’s Laureate, Irish language story and poetry is used to inspire creativity.
This will be followed by a short bilingual presentation for parents on the scope of books available to enrich their children’s Irish.
More…
Family Poetry Fest 💥 More…
- Location: Floraville Park, Strand Street, Skerries Co. Dublin
- Languages: Irish Sign Language Interpretation. Bilingual event: Irish / English.
- Date and Time: Sat 17 September 2022, 2-4 pm
- Free event – Saor in aisce! No need to prebook, just show up.
- No unaccompanied children, please.
Lots of creative fun centred around words including readings by Áine Ní Ghlinn, Laureate na nÓg, and friends, an Open Mic for children and young adults, painting, games and much more…
More details…
Leaflings Fun Workshop💥 More…
- Location: Holmpatrick National School, Convent Lane, Skerries
- Date and Time: Sat 17 September 2022, 3 – 4 pm
- Age: Suitable for 5 years+. No unaccompanied children, please.
- Tickets (on Eventbrite or at the door): €6 each for a family’s first and second child (€5 unwaged / low income), third and subsequent children and accompanying parents free.
Drawing and poetry workshop with Niamh Sharkey and Owen Churcher.
Draw your own field guide, learn how to draw Leaflings and create an acrostic poem based on the names of some of the trees in Niamh and Owen’s book.
Children’s Poetry Corner💥 More…
- Location: Holmpatrick National School, Convent Lane
- Date and Time: Sun 18 September 2022, 1.30-2.15 pm
and Sun 18 September 2022, 3-3.45 pm - Age: 4-7 years. No unaccompanied children, please.
- Tickets (on Eventbrite or at the door): €6 each for a family’s first and second child (€5 unwaged / low income), third and subsequent children and accompanying parents free.
Go to Eventbrite for the earlier show or the later show, or come early – there will be tickets available on the day.
Fiona Dowling will be in the Children’s Poetry Corner for two shows, with stories, riddles and songs for little ones, celebrating the power of imagination and our ability to be playful with words.
More details…
Events with Irish Sign Language Interpretation
Opening Verses 💥 More…
Location: The Watermills Café, Skerries Mills
Time and Date: Thursday 15 September 2022, from 8 pm. Doors: 7.30 pm
Languages: Irish Sign Language Interpretation. Bilingual: Irish / English.
Tickets (on Eventbrite or at the door): €12 (€10 unwaged / low income)
We are opening our 2022 festival with an evening of poetry both live and on video, followed by an aerial dance spectacle.
Presenting an exciting new film poem by Pat Boran, especially commissioned for the Fingal Poetry Festival.
Live readings will be provided by Aifric Mac Aodha, and London-based poet, Kate Miller.
Music: Keith Burke and Sarah May Rogers
MAKOSH – An aerial dance spectacle with Polina Shapkina and Ruairí O’Shea
More Details…
Community Poets Invite 💥 More…
- Location: Skerries Harps GAA Club, Thomas Hand Street, Skerries
- Date and Time: Fri 16 September 2022, 5 – 6.30 pm
- Languages: Irish Sign Language Interpretation.
- Tickets (on Eventbrite or at the door): €8 (€6 unwaged / low income)
Our series focussing on Poetry in the Community continues this year with readings from Donabate’s Chinkwell Writers with very special guest, poet Nessa O’Mahony. Music by Liz Seaver.
More details…
Poems Signed Sealed Delivered 💥 More…
- Location: Joe May’s Pub (upstairs), Skerries Harbour
- This event is not wheelchair accessible.
- Date and Time: Sat 17 September 2022, 1-2 pm
- Language: English, Irish Sign Language Interpretation.
- Tickets (on Eventbrite or at the door): €8 (€6 unwaged / low income)
Please bring coins for the Honesty Box if you want to buy soup/sandwich.
The second of our luchtime readings promises to be a unique event featuring the Deaf Poets Society sharing their work voiced via an interpreter. Also on the bill, Skerries-based Bob Shakeshaft, reading from his recently-published debut collection.
ISL interpretation throughout.
Music: Operatic melodies with Lea Försterling and Eoin Conway.
More details…
Family Poetry Fest 💥 More…
- Location: Floraville Park, Strand Street, Skerries Co. Dublin
- Languages: Irish Sign Language Interpretation. Bilingual event: Irish / English.
- Date and Time: Sat 17 September 2022, 2-4 pm
- Free event – Saor in aisce! No need to prebook, just show up.
Lots of creative fun centred around words including readings by Áine Ní Ghlinn, the Laureate na nÓg and friends, an Open Mic for children and young adults, painting, games and much more…
More details…
Imeachtaí le Gaeilge / Irish-Language Events
Opening Verses 💥 More…
Location: The Watermills Café, Skerries Mills
Time and Date: Thursday 15 September 2022, from 8 pm. Doors: 7.30 pm
Languages: Irish Sign Language Interpretation. Bilingual: Irish / English.
Tickets (on Eventbrite or at the door): €12 (€10 unwaged / low income)
We are opening our 2022 festival with an evening of poetry both live and on video, followed by an aerial dance spectacle.
Presenting an exciting new film poem by Pat Boran, especially commissioned for the Fingal Poetry Festival.
Live readings will be provided by Aifric Mac Aodha, and UK-based poet, Kate Miller.
Music: Keith Burke and Sarah May Rogers
MAKOSH – An aerial dance spectacle with Polina Shapkina and Ruairí O’Shea
More Details…
An Dán ar an Ardán: Ceardlann Filíochta le Ciara Ní É – Irish Language Poetry Workshop 💥 More…
- Location: Ar líne / Online via Zoom
- Date and Time: Sat 17 September 2022, 11 am – 1 pm
- Teanga / Language: Gaeilge
- Tickets (on Eventbrite): €20 (€18 unwaged / low income)
Sa cheardlann seo pléifidh Ciara gach a mbaineann le cur i láthair filíochta, a chabhróidh le gach rannpháirtí teacht ar a stíl féin.
More details…
Clinic Leabhar do Pháistí / Book Clinic 💥More…
- Location: Holmpatrick National School, Convent Lane, Skerries
- Date and Time: Sat 17 September 2022
BOOK A 15-MINUTE SPACE (10.00 – 11.45am) here on Eventbrite,
or DROP IN (12.15 – 2pm) - Languages: Bilingual: Irish / English.
- Tickets (on Eventbrite or at the door): FREE / Saor in aisce
- No unaccompanied children, please.
Book a slot with the book doctor (bilingual): Beidh an Dochtúir Leabhar linn ó Leabhair Pháistí Éireann chun an leabhar is ansa do do pháiste a phlé & leabhair eile a mholadh di/dó. The book doctor is for young readers seeking an injection of new Irish language literature in their lives. The consultation can facilitate the non-fluent Irish speakers, parent and child alike.
More details…
Siopa Leabhar do Pháistí💥 More…
- Location: Holmpatrick National School,
- Date and Time: Sat 17 September 2022, 11 am – 12.30 pm
- Languages: Bilingual: Irish / English.
- Free event – Saor in aisce! No need to prebook, just show up.
- No unaccompanied children, please.
Is féidir liom léamh! Come and see some Irish children’s books and get inspired. Available to purchase.
More details…
Visit Laureate na nÓg Áine Ní Ghlinn 💥 More…
- Location: Holmpatrick National School, Convent Lane, Skerries
- Date and Time: Sat 17 September 2022, 11 am – 12 noon
- Languages: Bilingual: Irish / English. Participating children should have some Irish.
- Tickets (on Eventbrite or at the door): Free, but limited capacity.
Children can attend on their own, but parents are invited to join them at the end.
At this stimulating, fun workshop for 10-12 yr olds with Áine Ní Ghlinn, the Children’s Laureate, Irish language story and poetry is used to inspire creativity.
This will be followed by a short bilingual presentation for parents on the scope of books available to enrich their children’s Irish.
More…
Family Poetry Fest 💥 More…
- Location: Floraville Park, Strand Street, Skerries Co. Dublin
- Languages: Irish Sign Language Interpretation. Bilingual event: Irish / English.
- Date and Time: Sat 17 September 2022, 2-4 pm
- Free event – Saor in aisce! No need to prebook, just show up.
Lots of creative fun centred around words including readings by Áine Ní Ghlinn, the Laureate na nÓg and friends, an Open Mic for children and young adults, painting, games and much more…
More details…
Fingal Poetry Prize & An Fiach Dubh Winners Unveiled💥 More…
- Location: S.A.B.C. Bridge Club, 73B Strand Street, Skerries
- Date and Time: Sat 17 September 2022, 3.30-5 pm
- Languages: Bilingual: Irish / English.
- Tickets (on Eventbrite or at the door): FREE but limited capacity – please reserve your ticket online.
What makes a competition-winning poem?
Find out by joining us for readings by our judges, Iggy McGovern and Louis de Paor, two of Ireland’s finest poets, when the results of the Fingal Poetry Prize and An Fiach Dubh will be revealed.
Music: Oscar Churcher and Diarmuid Slattery
More details…
Comhrá & Craic at the Gladstone Inn💥 More…
- Location: Gladstone Inn, Skerries Co. Dublin
- Languages: Irish (all levels welcome)
- Date and Time: Sat 17 September 2022, 5-7 pm
- Free event – Saor in aisce! No need to prebook, just show up.
Gaeilge le chéile. An Irish language conversation group. All levels of Irish speakers welcome.
More details…
Poetry Walk by the Sea 💥 More…
- Location: Meet us at the Sea Scouts Den, Harbour Road, Skerries
- Date and Time: Sun 18 September 2022, 11 am
- Languages: Bilingual: Irish / English.
- Tickets (on Eventbrite or on the day): FREE, but numbers are limited
The second of our highly enjoyable Poetry Walks, led by Ceaití Ní Bheildiúin with special guest poet Eva O’Connor (Sunday’s Child) and music by Skerries Folk Club.
Meet us by the Sea Scouts’ Den on Harbour Road for a stroll around Red Island, the jewel in Skerries’ crown.
Featuring a stunning live performance piece by Eva O’Connor. Bring a poem by yourself or anyone you like and maybe share it?
More details…
Seomra / Salon with Open Mic💥 More…
- Location: Joe May’s (upstairs), Skerries Harbour.
- This location is not wheelchair-accessible.
- Date and Time: Sun 18 September 2022, 1-2 pm
- Languages: Bilingual: Irish / English.
- Tickets (on Eventbrite or at the door): €8 (€6 unwaged / low income). Suitable for 18yrs+.
Please bring coins for the Honesty Box if you want to buy soup/sandwich.
Have a bite to eat and be entertained by poets Ciara Ní É and Peter O’Neill, with Open Mic to follow.
MC Seána Ó Rodaigh.
Music: Sara Dennedy and Donal Kearney
More details…
Secure your tickets now on Eventbrite (booking fees apply except for free events),
or come early – there will be tickets available on the day.
Online booking ends 24 hours before the event starts.
💥 Go to our full programme here💥
The 2022 Fingal Poetry Prize was sponsored by DHL.
An Fiach Dubh, the Irish language poetry prize, was sponsored by Progressive Credit Union.
Fingal Poetry Festival 