Winners of the Trócaire Poetry Ireland Poetry Competition 2022 announced

The annual poetry competition raises awareness about current global citizenship, justice, ecological and equality issues. This year’s theme explored how we can build a better tomorrow, all contributing as part of a global community.

Jane O’Hanlon from Poetry Ireland said, “I would like to express sincere thanks to everyone who supported the Trócaire Poetry Ireland Poetry Competition this year. The winning poems speak eloquently to urgent contemporary issues and yet manage to express hope in and for a ‘better tomorrow’”.

Joanne McGarry, Trócaire’s Campaigns and Volunteer Manager, said: “With entries from over 29 counties across the island of Ireland this year, and from as far afield as Canada, Australia, Nigeria and the U.S., we’d like to thank everyone who entered, the standard was superb. These wonderful poems highlight social justice and in turn increase awareness and understanding of the world we live in.”

Poetry Ireland and Trócaire look forward to celebrating the winners of the competition with an in-person event, (the first to take place since before the Covid pandemic) on Culture Night, Friday 23 September, at Dublin City University (DCU).

ADULT PUBLISHED CATEGORY  

WINNER:    

‘When I Visit Dalal’ by Lani O’Hanlon from Waterford

RUNNER-UP:

‘Days Like These’ by Lorraine Carey from Kerry  

ADULT UNPUBLISHED CATEGORY  

WINNER:            
‘A Red Coat’ by Sighle Meehan from Galway 

RUNNER-UP:      
‘Half Life’ by R.M. Duffy from Westmeath

RUNNER-UP:      
‘Bright’ by Emma Tobin from Kildare

RUNNER-UP:      
‘Into the Light’ by Marguerite Doyle from Dublin