Poetry Day Ireland 2025

On Thursday 1st May, join us in celebrating Poetry Day Ireland 2025! This year's theme of May Day is rooted in the ancient Gaelic festival of Bealtaine, which celebrates renewal, hope and abundance.

A wide range of poetry events are taking place in library branches across Cork County on this day, from poetry readings and competitions to children's activities and displays of poetry books that can borrowed and enjoyed at home.

See below for a selection of #PoetryDayIRL events, which everyone is welcome to attend for free.  

Drop by your local Cork County Council Library & Arts Service branch on Thursday 1st May and find comfort in a forgotten poem, discover a new favourite poet, or be inspired to write your own poetry!

Poetry Day Ireland 2025 Events at Cork County Libraries

• Clonakilty Library, Pop-Up Poetry Session, 11:00am to 1:00pm
  Bring your favourite poem, your own writing or read a new poem for the first time. Come along and let your voice be heard!
• Midleton Library, Poetry Reading Circle, 11:00am to 12:00pm
  Drop in and enjoy an hour with others that are passionate about poetry. Read your favourite poem or recite an original you have written. There will also be a selection of famous poems to choose from.
• Newmarket Library, Poetry Session, 11:30am
  Drop by to enjoy a poetry reading and don’t forget you can bring your favourite poem or an original to recite.
• Skibbereen Library, A Special Poetry Circle Recital, 11:30am to 12:30pm
  An informal morning of poetry reading in a relaxed atmosphere, along with an enjoyable cup of tea or coffee.
• Bantry Library, Exchange of Irish Poems, 12:00pm to 1:00pm
  Join us for a chat and share your favourite poems as Gaeilge.
• Fermoy Library, A Wonderful Hour of Music and Poetry, 1:00pm to 2:00pm
  Join Mo O’Connor, Fermoy Poetry Group and Cork County Council Writer in Residence Leeanne O’Donnell for a wonderful lunchtime hour of music and poetry.
• Cobh Library, Poetry Recital, 2:00pm to 3:00pm
  Cobh Island Creative Writing Group will recite their own poems on the theme of May Day.
• Macroom Library, Poetry Friends, 3:00pm to 4:00pm
  Guest poets Fiona Smith & Bernadette Gallagher will read selections of their work, followed by an open mic where people can share their own poems or a favourite poem by another poet.
• Dunmanway Library | Poetry Share | All Day
  Bring a poem to share. Read a favourite poem or one of your own, on the theme of “May Day”.