Now in its fifth year, the Frances Browne Literary Festival is calling aspiring poets to submit their work for the 2025 Frances Browne Multilingual Poetry Competition. The competition celebrates poets writing in English, Irish and Ulster Scots

There is €1,500 in prizes to be won.

The closing date for entries is midnight on Wednesday August 20.  The festival takes place this year from Thursday October 9 to Sunday October 12.

With categories in Irish, Ulster-Scots and English and a Local Section it is among the most unique competitions in the world and has generated a wealth of new poems from all over the world.

 Dr Pauline Holland, playwright and editor of Treasure Each Voice, 400 Years of Anglo-Irish, Irish and Ulster-Scots Literature from Stranorlar and Poet, Author and playwright Anne McMaster, Walking of the Land 2021, will judge this year’s English and Ulster-Scots poems.  Poet and writer Dr Dubhán Ó Longáin, IDEO Locator, 2020, will judge the Irish entries.

The Poetry Awards Ceremony, where the winning entries in our three national languages will be read, is scheduled for Friday October 10 in Kee’s Hotel, Stranorlar.

With an impressive total prize fund of €1500, the Frances Browne Multilingual Poetry Competition stands as a unique opportunity for poets from diverse backgrounds to come together and celebrate their craft.

  The Frances Browne Multilingual Poetry Competition is funded and supported by Donegal County Council.

  If you would like more information please go to: www.francesbrowneliteraryfestival.com 

How to enter

Entries accepted until August 20, online, by post or in person. €5 per entry. There is no limit on the number of poems that you can enter.

Categories for entry are as follows 

•   English Language – First Prize – €250, Second Prize – €100, Third Prize, €50
•   Irish Language – First Prize – €250, Second Prize – €100, Third Prize, €50
•   Ulster Scots Language – First Prize – €250, Second Prize – €100, Third Prize, €50

Local Categories

There will be one winning entry in each of these categories. The prize for each category is €100 

•   The Eilish McBride Award – English Language – Local – Sponsored by Edel MacBride
•   Irish Language – Local
•   Ulster Scots Language – Local 

‘Local’ categories are open to individuals who were born in and/or are currently living in the Lifford-Stranorlar Municipal District of County Donegal.  For details of this area please refer to the link to the Donegal County Council website, or contact the festival committee for confirmation.

For full terms and conditions, schedule of dates and to enter please check our website www.francesbrowneliteraryfestival.com; email info@francesbrowneliteraryfestival.com or contact the team via the offices of the Finn Valley Voice – +353 (0)74 913 1665