The Darby Ryan International Poetry Competition 2025

Deadline: 31 Jul 2025

The Darby Ryan International Poetry Contest was inaugurated this year by John Grogan and Claire Grogan Williams, descendants of the late Darby Ryan. The prize winner of this year’s competition will be announced during August 2025 and will be invited to give a reading of his/her work during August.

Diarmuid O'Ríain (Darby Ryan) was born at Ashgrove, Bansha, Co. Tipperary, in 1777 and was a poet and patriot. His most famous composition was undoubtedly The Peeler and the Goat, a ballad or satire which was popularly sung across Ireland and was taken worldwide by emigrants. Darby composed many songs and ballads across numerous topics not least Irish nationalism. Darby composed both in Gaelic and English and when any event of local or national importance took place, Darby was called on to immortalize it in verse. 

Prizes: First - €300, Runner Up - €200, Second Runner Up - €100.

* Please go to the Poetry Ireland Competition page for further details on how to enter this competition and for conditions for entry. Link to the right. As it is the inaugural year there are no fees. Themes are the following: Community, Satire, Tipperary, Ireland.

Information above from the Poetry Ireland site. With thanks.