We are delighted to announce the shortlists for the 2023 Frances Browne Multilingual Poetry Competition.
Congratulations to all the poets who have made these final lists. Each category was highly competitive and each poem that made the shortlist had to work hard to earn its place. The winning poems will be announced at our Poetry Competition Awards Evening on Friday 13th October at 8pm in Kee’s Hotel, Stranorlar.
The awards evening is one of the highlights of our Festival. Poets writing in all three languages read their original works alongside each other. It’s truly unique. We hope that everyone who entered this year will join us at this free event. We request that you reserve your seat, as space is limited.
This year we’re particularly looking forward to welcoming Ulster Scots writing group ‘Sheddas on tha Page’. Introduced by Anne Mc Master, their tutor, renowned poet and friend of the Festival they will share some of their new work with us, fresh from their recent performance at the Linen Hall Library in Belfast.
Good luck to all our poets and we hope to see you shortly in Ballybofey-Stranorlar!
ULSTER SCOTS LANGUAGE CATEGORY - SHORTLIST
Chalk, Anne McMaster, Co Derry
Gowan-Like, Caroline Johnstone, Ayrshire
Postlude, Glen Wilson, Co Armagh
Sheddas, David Atkinson, Co. Londonderry
Sweetay Monae, Niall Iósaf Ó Gallochobhair, Co Donegal
Tha Deeds, Glen Wilson, Co Armagh
Tha Watch-Hoose Atap Tha Cliff, Angela Graham, Co Antrim
The Back Medda, Fionnuala McNicholl, Co. Derry
The Wumman Who Birthed Seaborn, Angeline Kelly, Co. Antrim
IRISH LANGUAGE CATEGORY - SHORTLIST
Atlantach, Caitriona Lane, Co Galway
Cnoc an Bhogha, Niall Iósaf Ó Gallochobhair, Co. Dhún an nGall
Comaoin, Anna Colhoun, Co. Dhún an nGall
Haiku, Cuimhní Cinn, Paddy Donoghue, Donegal
Fear Raice, Ailbhe Nic Giolla Bhrighde, Co na Gaillimhe
Foighid, Realtan Ni Leannain, Dublin
Iníon, Eibhlís Carcione, Cork
Tiomna an Chrainn Daortha, Anna Colhoun, Co. Dhún an nGall
ENGLISH LANGUAGE CATEGORY - SHORTLIST
Condy’s Field, Ciaran Cunningham, Co Donegal
Disguises, Deirdre Hines, Co Donegal
Dust, Anne Rainey, Co. Antrim
God’s Garden, A.M. Cousins, Co Wexford
Hawthorn, Catherine Kay, Co Donegal
My Grandfather, Seamus McDermott, Co Donegal
Pat Mac, Paul Hoare, Co. Donegal
Taking the Gloves, Paul Hennessy, Co Wexford
The Barber, Douglas Bartlett, Londonderry
Those Graveyard Sundays, Deirdre Hines, Co Donegal
Travelling Dresses, Anne Rainey, Co. Antrim,
