Poetry Ireland

Applications are now open for Poetry Ireland's Introductions / Céadlínte programme 2026 with applications open from July 1st to July 22nd at midnight via Submittable only.

Poetry Ireland is delighted to announce that poet Victoria Kennefick will select this year's Introductions poets and Aifric Mac Aodha will select this year’s Céadlínte poets.

This bilingual programme offers poets in the early stages of their careers, who are writing in either the English or Irish language, an opportunity to showcase their work through workshops and performance. It also provides participants with the opportunity to have their work published through an e-book which Poetry Ireland /Éigse Éireann will produce and release.

The poets selected for Introductions / Céadlínte 2026 will participate in a variety of workshops focused on developing their form and craft, performing poetry in public plus more.

The weekend workshops will take place in Dublin on Friday September 4th and Saturday September 5th.

This year’s programme tutors include Victoria Kennefick, Aifric Mac Aodha, Sean Borodale with more to be announced.

Following the weekend of workshops, Introductions / Céadlínte 2026 will culminate in two public readings of each participant’s work in November in Dublin to coincide with the launch of the e-book.

Alumni of the Introductions / Céadlínte series include Nidhi Zak / Aria Eipe, Molly Twomey, Eleanor Hooker, Martin Dyar, Doireann Ní Ghríofa, Susannah Dickey, Jane Clarke, Victoria Kennefick, Erin Fornoff, Alvy Carragher, and Stephen Connolly. Introductions / Céadlínte poets have been published by Dedalus Press, The Gallery Press, Salmon Poetry, and Carcanet Press, and their work has progressed to win numerous awards, including the Rooney Prize, the Michael Hartnett Award, and acknowledgement at the Irish Book Awards. Former participants have also received invitations to read nationally and internationally, from Cork to New York, Belfast to Mumbai.

· How to apply: To be considered for selection for Introductions / Céadlínte 2026, interested poets should submit their work together with a short biography and covering letter.

· A selection of published or unpublished poems ideally 3 to 5 poems (no more than 10 pages in total).

Note:

· Applicants for the programme will ideally have had work published in established journals and magazines and will be working towards a first collection.

· While there is a minimum age requirement of 18, there is no upper age limit; early career poets of any age are welcome to apply.

· Only poets currently living on the island of Ireland are eligible to apply. Successful applicants must be available to attend both the workshops in September and the readings in November in Dublin. Applications from poets who are not currently living in Ireland will not be considered.

· Applications are assessed by an independent, established adjudicator.

· Selected applicants are usually informed within six weeks of the deadline and, depending on the number of submissions,

· Ten English language poets and five Irish language poets are selected each year.

· We encourage submissions from poets who are currently underrepresented in Irish poetry, including but not limited to: poets of colour, people with varied gender and sexual identities, poets with disabilities, and ethnic, cultural, and religious minorities.