The 2023 Festival

Here is our full list of 2023 events, with photographs.

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky…
— John Masefield

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.

Friday 15 September 2023
Aoine 15ú Meán Fómhair 2023

Fingal Poetry Grand Slam 2023 💥 More…

Hugely popular night with performance poets competing for the title of Festival Slam Champion. Featuring performances from host Sheila Ryder, our guest poet Stephen James Smith and musician RVE @luna.rae.beams

Gérard Devine walked away with the title of Festival Slam Champion, with Anna Doran and Molly McDonnell coming in 2nd and 3rd.

Thank you to everyone who came out to The Little Theatre – Angela & her team of volunteers spent the evening decorating the venue and it really did feel like a haven from the rain.

Here are all the Fingal Poetry Slam finalists, in order of appearance: – Mary Lennon – Gérard Devine – Anna Doran – Sarah Good Leonard – Caoimhe Weakliam – Eoin Lynam – Tom Tierney – Niamh Gerin – Adele Leahy – Molly McDonnell

Location: The Little Theatre, Thomas Hand Street, Skerries K34 FX61
Date and Time: Fri 15 September 2023, 7.30-9.30 pm

Saturday 16 September 2023
Satharn 16ú Meán Fómhair 2023

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!

Poetry and Music by the Sea
Ceol agus Filíocht Cois Farraige: Walk / Siúlóid
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Walk/Siúlóid: Join local poet Enda Coyle-Greene on a magical walk of poetry and music with featured poets Maeve O’Sullivan, Victoria Melkovska and Ceaití Ní Bheildiúin. Music by Naoise Mac Conghail and Lucy Killian.

Location: Meet us at the Sea Scouts Den, Skerries Harbour, just before the Sailing Club
Date and Time: Sat 16 September 2023, 11 am – 12.30 pm
Languages: English, Irish. A limited number of assisted listening audio sets will be available.

Lunch Poems and Music 2023
Fonn, Filíocht & Lón
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Enjoy a bite to eat in an iconic Skerries pub while listening to poetry by Anne Tannam and Marcus Mac Conghail. Marcus may be accompanied by his son Naoise. Music by Lucy Killian.

Location: in the lounge in Joe May’s pub, Harbour Road, Skerries K34 C678
Date and Time: Sat 16 September 2023, 1 pm – 2.30 pm
Languages: English, Irish. Irish Sign Language-interpreted event.

Fingal Poetry Family Festival 2023
Spraoi & Filíocht do gach éinne
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Family fun for all the family with featured poet Lucinda Jacob and music by Lilia Wheeldon, creative art activities, games and open mic for children and young adults. Local author Jane Landy will read from Claus Clamhsánaí, the new translation into Irish (by Gabriel Rosenstock) of her successful children’s book Gringer the Whinger.

Location: Floraville Park, Strand Street, Skerries K34 FT61
Date and Time: Sat 16 September 2023, 2-4 pm
Languages: English, Irish. Irish Sign Language-interpreted event.

Prized Poetry 2023
Plúr na Filíochta & Duaiseanna
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Readings by the judges of this year’s Fingal Poetry Competition, Jessica Traynor, and An Fiach Dubh: The Irish Language Poetry Competition, Paddy Bushe, followed by the unveiling of the winning poems of the 2023 Fingal Poetry Prize and An Fiach Dubh. Music by Oscar Churcher & Diarmuid Slattery.

Location: S.A.B.C. Bridge Club, 73 Strand Street, Skerries K34C951
Date and Time: Sat 16 September 2023, 3.30 pm – 5 pm
Languages: English, Irish.

Craic agus Comhrá 2023
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CRAIC IS CÓMHRÁ sa teach tabháirne ‘The Gladstone’: Gaeilge le chéile. Fáilte roimh cách. An Irish language conversation group in an atmospheric Skerries pub. All levels of speakers welcome.

Location: sa teach tabháirne ‘The Gladstone’ 16 The Cross K34 V593 Skerries
Date and Time: Sat 16 September 2023, 5.30 – 7 pm
Languages: Irish.

Poetry at the Mills 2023
Oíche Mhór Filíochta
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We’re finishing in fine style back at the Festival’s home, the Skerries Mills, with featured poets Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin, Harry Clifton and Caitríona Ní Chléirchín. Music by Sarah May Rogers. Early booking is advised to avoid disappointment.