Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter Literary Festival Opens 2026 Poetry Competition

Our good friends at the Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter Literary Festival are delighted to announce that their 2026 Poetry Competition is now open for submissions.

This year’s competition theme is “New World” — a prompt open to wide interpretation and creative exploration by poets across the island of Ireland.

Five shortlisted poets will be invited to read their work at the Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter Literary Festival on Saturday 17th October 2026, when the overall winner will also be announced.

The competition judge for 2026 is acclaimed poet and author Deirdre Hines. Deirdre is the author of The Language of Coats (New Island), which includes her Listowel Prize-winning collection, and The Mermelf: A Fable for Our Times (Austin Macauley Publishers), runner-up in the London Book Festival 2024. Her Japanese Poetry Workbook: Master Haiku, Tanka, Renku, Haibun & more with prompts is an Amazon Top 50 bestseller.

The Festival Committee extends sincere thanks to Brennan’s Pharmacy and Donegal ETB for sponsoring the competition prizes. The overall winner will receive €150, with the runner-up receiving €100. Three highly commended entries will also receive cash prizes.

The closing date for entries is Friday 21st August 2026, with results to be announced by the end of September.

Author and poet Deirdre Hines who will be judging this year's competition

Submission Guidelines

• Entries must be the author’s own unpublished work. This includes print, online publication, or broadcast. Simultaneous submissions are accepted; however, entrants should notify organisers immediately if work is accepted elsewhere.

• The theme for this year’s competition is “New World.”

• Entrants must be over 18 years of age and either resident in Ireland or from the island of Ireland.

• Poems may be submitted in English, or in Irish accompanied by an English translation.

• Entry is free.

• Entrants may submit up to two poems, with only one submission per person.

• Poems must not exceed 30 lines each, excluding title, and should be typed in a clear 12pt font.

• The author’s name must not appear on the submitted work.

• The body of the submission email must include the entrant’s name, county, and telephone number.

• Shortlisted poets will be expected to attend and read at the Festival Prize Winners’ Evening on 17th October 2026.

• Copyright remains with the author.

• The judge’s decision is final.

• Entry to the competition implies acceptance of all rules.

Poems should be submitted as a Word document by email to lkcqfest@gmail.com no later than 21st August 2026.

For further information, follow the Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter Literary Festival website  https://lkcqlitfest.weebly.com/ and on Letterkenny Cathedral Quarter social media.