Munster Heat of All Ireland Poetry Slam – Qualifiers Announced!
Photo by Patrick Thomas Howard
The Munster heat of the All Ireland Poetry Slam took place on the 4th of September in Limerick, and it was a night filled with fierce competition and extraordinary talent. Poets from across the province gathered to showcase their spoken word skills, each vying for a coveted spot in the All Ireland final.
The event, hosted by the ever-enthusiastic Dominic Taylor and D’or Seifer, was expertly MC'd by Ronal Deegan. The judging panel boasted some of Ireland's finest voices in poetry and culture—Sarah Clancy, Eoin Devereux, and Tommy Collins—who had the tough task of selecting the top three poets to qualify for the national stage. Fifteen poets in total competed for the honour to represent Munster in the All Ireland Poetry Slam, with Kemi George-Simpson from Cork emerging victorious after a stunning Villanelle, alongside runners-up Mel White and Ciaran MacArtain, in front of one of the largest crowds for a poetry event in Limerick in nearly a decade.
Kemi-George Simpson, Heat Finalist. Photo by Patrick Thomas Howard
Meet the Qualifiers:
Kemi George-Simpson – Placing first, Kemi's dynamic performance captivated the audience and judges alike, securing her spot at the top.
Mel White – With a powerful and evocative performance, Mel claimed second place, proving herself to be a strong contender for the final.
Ciaran MacArtain – Finishing third, Ciaran's unique style and thought-provoking words earned him a well-deserved place in the All Ireland final.
The night was a true celebration of creativity, passion, and the power of spoken word. Each poet brought their own flavor to the stage, making the judges' decision an especially difficult one. But in the end, these three incredible spoken word poets will represent Munster at the All Ireland Poetry Slam Final in Dublin.
The All Ireland Poetry Slam Final is scheduled for Saturday, November 30th, from 2:00pm to 6:00pm at the Pearse Street Library in Dublin. Expect an unforgettable event where the best spoken word artists from across the country will battle it out for the prestigious title of All Ireland Poetry Slam Champion.
With the talents of Kemi George-Simpson, Mel White, and Ciaran MacArtain in the mix, the competition will be fierce. Stay tuned for what promises to be an extraordinary finale!