Listowel Writers’ Week has just announced its shortlisted poetry collections for a final prize €5,000.
Five Irish Poets have today been announced as finalists for this year’s inaugural Pigott Poetry Prize for 2014. The €5,000 award will be presented to the overall winner at the opening ceremony of the festival on the Wednesday, May 28th.
Over 80 collections were submitted for the award prior to April and it was then the mammoth task of poet and critic John Boland and UK Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy to choose a shortlist of five. The five poets and collections on the list are: Sinead Morrissey – Parallax; Vona Groarke – X; Martin Dyar – Maiden Names; Matthew Sweeney – Horse Music and Maurice Riordan – The Water Stealer.
Speaking about the shortlist, John Boland said, “It was very difficult to choose among almost 80 submitted books, many of them very fine and some exceptional, but I think our shortlist reflects the range, diversity and quality of contemporary Irish poetry.” UK Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy added that she “was particularly impressed by the stunning new work reflected in the shortlist, all of whom would be a worthy winner. I hope this marvellous new award goes from strength to strength.”
This new award for 2014, The Pigott Poetry Prize is for books of poetry written by Irish writers has been generously supported by industrialist and philanthropist Mr Mark Pigott KBE, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of PACCAR Inc.
Speaking on the announcement of the shortlist, Mark Pigott said “We are delighted with the tremendous response to the Pigott Poetry Prize. The Shortlist books of poetry reflect our wonderful heritage as well as the infinite variety of Irish writing.”
Now entering its 43rd year, Listowel Writers’ Week is Ireland’s longest running literary festival. It’s renowned for bringing together international writers and audiences in the historical and intimate surroundings of Listowel, Co Kerry.
Amongst those who will feature at this year’s festival – from May 28th. to June 1st. – will be Jim Crace, Aminatta Forna, Joseph O’Connor, Sinead Morrissey, Louise Doughty, Mary Lawson, Andy Kershaw, and many more. Full details on www.writersweek.ie – or just click on the Listowel Writers’ Week advert on the side of this page and browse your way through their website.
For more information and to arrange interviews please contact: Máire Logue directly at Listowel Writers’ Week: + 353 (68) 21074 or +353 (87) 2433304 / maire@writersweek.ie
