The organisers of the famous Strokestown International Poetry Competition are calling for people to get writing,
It offers prizes of €4,000, €2,000 and €1,000 for a poem of up to 70 lines. There are also prizes of €2,000, €1,500 and €1,000 for a poem of up to 70 lines in Irish. In addition up to 16 shortlisted poets are invited to read a selection of their work at the Strokestown International Poetry Festival in May, for which they are paid €400. For wits there is the Percy French Prize for a funny poem on a topical subject.
The competition closes on Friday January 20. More information, rules and online entry are on the website www.strokestownpoetry.org
