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What: Poetry Challenge, Films, Guest Poets & Open-Mic When: Monthly (2nd Monday) @ 9pm (+poetry-films from 8pm) Where: The Long Valley, Winthrop St, Cork. [here’s a map] Original poetry, storytelling and unplugged ceol Ó Bhéal – a poem by Anamaría Crowe Serrano Guest / Open-Mic mp3s: What happened on Monday? Wordshops: Creative Writing at Ó Bhéal and Beyond … Interviews: … with Ó Bhéal guests by Jennifer Matthews Five Words Vol XIII: Submit 5W poems penned at Ó Bhéal |
*** Ópen *** 8th Five Words Poetry Competition *** Ópen ***
Events are posted every 2-3 months. Click names for biographical details
Yuyutsu Sharma & Kobus Moolman – 12th October
Nidhi Zak/Aria Eipe with Mícheál McCann & Ashley O’Neal – 9th Nov
the 8th Ó Bhéal Winter Warmer Festival of Poetry – 26th-29th November
The Five Words poetry challenge starts at 8.30pm. Guest poets begin around 9.20pm for up to 20 minutes each, after which follows the usual open-mic session. Be sure to connect early to participate!
648 Responses to “Poetry Readings & Open-Mic Nights”
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Open-mic night – 18th September 2020
We were treated to another brilliant Culture Night Ó Bhéal event, with our two stellar guest performers, Chandrika Narayanan-Mohan and Shaunna Lee Lynch, very much enjoyed by all on zoom and facebook live. You can listen to Chandrika’s reading here and to Shaunna’s reading here.
Our heartfelt thanks to Michelle Delea for her deft and personable touch as emcee, as well as to all on the open-mic, Massimo Lavelle, Pam Campbell, Lauren O, Hilary Quinn, Ada Miles, Margaret O’Regan, Philip Spillane, Catherine Ronan, Augustina Adéọlá Jekennu, Colm Scully, Jim Crickard, Cédric Bikond and Mags Creedon.
Catherine Ronan was this week’s Five Word challenge winner. Congrats Catherine!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
09/28/20; 3:46 pm
Open-mic night – 14th September 2020
We’re very grateful to Julie Breathnach-Banwait (live from Perth, pre-dawn) and Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill for an evening of beautiful bilingual poetry, much enjoyed by all present on zoom and via youtube live. You can listen to Julie’s reading here and to Nuala’s reading here.
Thanks also to Julie Field for her excellent work as emcee, and to all who read on the open-mic, Pam Campbell, Breda Spaight, Ceaití Ní Bhéildiúin, Jeff Cottrill, Augustina Adéọlá Jekennu, Ada Miles, Doc Janning, Colm Scully, Mary O’Connell, Mags Creedon, Kemi George-Simpson, Margaret O’Regan, Sue Blue, Lauren O, Philip Spillane, Catherine Ronan, Ciarán MacArtain, Rosie O’Regan, Cédric Bikond and Massimo Lavelle.
Augustina Adéọlá Jekennu won this week’s Five Word challenge. Well done Augustina!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
09/18/20; 5:20 pm
Open-mic night – 10th August 2020
We had a fantastic evening with Coventry poets Emilie Lauren Jones and Matt Black on Monday for Ó Bhéal’s annual Cork-Coventry twin cities and 648th poetry event. We’re very grateful to both readers and to Coventry events organiser and poet Raef Boylan for helping to put this year’s virtual exchange into action. After a bumper five word challenge and open-mic, Emilie and Matt then went on to read the following evening for the Clonakilty pSoken wRod event. You can listen to Emilie’s reading here and to Matt’s reading here.
Thanks to Jim Crickard for a superb job as emcee, and to all who read on the open-mic, Massimo, Breda Spaight, Pam Campbell, Francis Golm, Sree Sen, Augustina Adéọlá Jekennu, Margaret O’Regan, The Poet Geoff, Andrea Mbarushimana, Doc Janning, Cathal Holden, Amy Gurlitt, Paul Butterfield, Scott Coe, Rishtí Mac Phiarais, Máire Stephens, Sue Blue, Ada Miles, Emily Davis Fletcher, Mary O’Connell, Philip Spillane, Mags Creedon, Ciarán MacArtain, Catherine Ronan and Cédric Bikond.
Cédric Bikond won this week’s Five Word challenge. Congrats Cédric!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
09/7/20; 12:02 pm
Open-mic night – 13th July 2020
We’re very grateful to two fantastic poets who read for Ó Bhéal’s 647th (4rd virtual) poetry event, Daragh Breen and Jonathan Davidson, who both read from their most recent collections. You can listen to Daragh’s reading here and to Jonathan’s reading here.
Thanks to Cathal Holden for keeping time steady at the helm, and to all who read on the open-mic, Máire Stephens, Jim Crickard, Pam Campbell, Augustina Adéọlá Jekennu, Eoin Hurley, Emily Davis Fletcher, Doc Jennings, Sue Blue, Matt Mooney, Colm Scully, Philip Spillane, Gerry Murphy, Mary O’Connell, Mags Creedon O’Shea, Anne McDonald, Cédric Bikond, Margaret O’Regan and Catherine Ronan.
Molly Twomey won this week’s Five Word challenge. Well done Molly!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
08/10/20; 6:32 pm
Open-mic night – 8th June 2020
An excellent evening of poetry was enjoyed at Ó Bhéal’s 646th (3rd virtual) poetry event, which took part in the 2020 online Cork Harbour Festival. Our warm thanks to Alice Lyons and Mick Delap for their superb readings, and to Joya and Donagh from the CHF for having us on board yet again. We’re also grateful to Theo Dorgan for delivering a poem during Mick’s reading. You can listen to Mick’s reading here and to Alice’s reading here.
Thanks to Benjamin Burns for his fine work as emcee, and to all who read on the open-mic, from across, Ireland, the US, Ukraine, England and the Isle of Man, to Doc Janning, Ray Hanrahan, Máire Stephens, Jim Crickard, Margaret O’Regan, Breda Spaight, Colm Scully, Philip Spillane, Ada Miles, Sue Blue, Emily Davis Fletcher, Augustina Adéọlá Jekennu, Catherine Ronan, Michelle Delea, Mags Creedon, Donagh MacArtain, John Ryan, Ciarán MacArtain, Cathal Holden, John Tynan and Susanna Trifiletti.
Ray Hanrahan won this week’s Five Word challenge. Congrats Ray!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
07/4/20; 1:34 pm
Open-mic night – 11th May 2020
We’re very grateful to Caitríona Ní Chléirchín, Louis de Paor and Foras na Gaeilge for making Ó Bhéal’s 2nd virtual event such a memorable success, with 40+ Zoom participants (from across Ireland, the UK, the US and the Ukraine), attracting around 950 Facebook Live views.
You can listen to Caitríona’s reading here and to Louis’ reading here.
Thanks to Julie Field for her excellent work as compere, and to all who read on the open-mic, Margaret O’Regan, Jim Crickard, Brendan Mulcahy, Philip Spillane, Emily Davis-Fletcher, Augustina Adéọlá Jekennu, Ada Miles, Michelle Delea, Simon Spitchak, Cedric Bikond, Cathal Holden, Rosie O’Regan, Mags Creedon, Catherine Ronan, Shaunna Lee Lynch, Mary O’Connell, Rab Urquhart (read by Rosie), Sue Blue and Stanley Notte.
Michelle Delea won this week’s Five Word challenge. Fair plé Michelle!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
06/3/20; 5:59 pm
Open-mic night – 13th April 2020
Ó Bhéal’s thirteenth Anniversary and first virtual event was nothing less than a resounding success on Monday, with 55 Zoom participants (from across Ireland, the UK, the US and the Ukraine), attracting over 1,200 Facebook Live views. We’re very grateful to Five Words competition winner Derek Sellen for his reading as well as to special guest Partridge Boswell for his own contribution live from Vermont. You can listen to Derek’s reading here and to Partridge’s reading here.
Our warm thanks to the shortlisted poets and contributors to Five Words Vol XIII who read their poems, Lucy Holme, Margaret McCarthy, Ada Volynska, David Evans, Rosemary Norman, Janice Bethany, Rosalin Blue, Colm Scully, Bernadette Gallagher, Ben Burns, Mags Creedon, Ciarán MacArtain, Shaunna Lee Lynch, Jim Crickard and Rosie O’Regan. You can listen to these poems being read here.
And thanks to all who read on the bumper open-mic (for other poets’ poetry), Cédric Bikond, Margaret O’Regan, Jim Crickard, Amy Gurlitt, Ben Burns, Sue Blue, Catherine Ronan, Stan Notte, Michael Ray, Rosie O’Regan, Michelle Delea, Bernadette Gallagher, Ciarán MacArtain, Ada Miles, Afric McGlinchey, Mo O’Connor, Philip Spillane, Mary O’Connell, Simon Spitchak, Mary Nagle (reading for Rab Urquhart), Cathal Holden and Mags Creedon O’Shea.
Michael Ray won this week’s Five Word challenge. Congrats Michael!
The open-mic mp3 featuring ‘other poets’ poetry’ is here.
04/28/20; 8:53 am
Open-mic night – 9th March 2020
We’re very grateful to our two guest poets Fióna Bolger and Moyra Donaldson for their superb readings on Monday. Jo Burns had to cancel her trip from Germany due to the coronavirus, so Fióna stepped in at late notice to fill the void. You can listen to Fióna’s reading here and to Moyra’s reading here.
Thanks to Bernadette Gallagher for keeping things steady at the helm, and to all on the open-mic, Constantin Calgaru, Philip Spillane, John O’Connor, Dan Johnson, Isobel O’Connor Sealy, Baldur, Gerry Murphy, Patricia Walsh, Charles Clarke, Josh Buckner, Benjamin Burns, Shaunna Lee Lynch, Amy Gurlitt, Jim Crickard, Laura McCarthy, Leo Mullane, Jamie Lawton, Margaret O’Regan and Catherine Ronan.
Bernadette McCarthy won this week’s Five Word challenge. Congrats Bernadette!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
03/13/20; 3:28 pm
Open-mic night – 10th February 2020
Our warm thanks to Sara Berkeley for her beautiful reading and to all ten students from UCC’s MA Creative programme for their superb contributions, a fantastic evening altogether! With thanks to Leanne O’Sullivan for organising and introducing the UCC readers. You can listen to Sara’s reading here and to all ten readers from UCC’s Creative Writing programme here.
Thanks to Shaunna Lee Lynch for her enthusiastic and deft touch as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Margaret O’Regan, Eoin Hurley, Charles Clarke, Catherine Ronan, Sue Blue, Jerry McMahon, Pádraig MacCárthaigh, Gerry Murphy, Baldur, Patricia Walsh, Jake Griffin, Philip Spillane, Cathal Holden, Stan Notte, Benjamin Burns, Michelle Delea, Mags Creedon, Joanne Möller and Cedric Bikond.
Angela Stratos won this week’s Five Word challenge. Well done Angela!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
02/15/20; 1:50 pm
Open-mic night – 13th January 2020
Our warm thanks to Máighréad Medbh for her heartfelt performance on Monday for Ó Bhéal’s first monthly session of 2020, part of the First Fortnight Festival. The Hayloft was packed to the rafters and a brilliant night was enjoyed by all. You can listen to Máighréad’s performance here.
Thanks to Stanley Notte for keeping the helm true and steady, and to all on the open-mic, Charles Clarke, Dan Johnson, Catherine Ronan, Margaret O’Regan, Mags Creedon, Henry Glass, Benjamin Burns, Ann Dalton, Jamie Lawton, Sue Blue, Patricia Walsh, Gerry Murphy, Mary O’Connell, Rab Urquhart, Philip Spillane, Bernadette Gallagher, Ray Hanrahan, Cathal Hoden, Baldur and Sarel.
Leila Helgesen won this week’s Five Word challenge. Congrats Leila!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
01/23/20; 4:37 pm
Open-mic night – 16th December 2019
A fitting end to the weekly series (after 640 events), as the Ó Bhéal audience witnessed a thrilling end of year event with special guest poet Frank Ormsby, recently appointed The Irish Chair of Poetry. Frank read mostly from his latest collection from Bloodaxe, The Rain Barrel (2019). You can listen to Frank’s reading here. Individual videos of Frank’s reading will appear on the website soon.
Thanks to all on the open-mic, Constantin Calgaru, Dan Johnson, Seamus Harrington, Micheál Ó Ruairc, Gerry Murphy, Mary O’Connell, Patricia Walsh, Josh Buckner, Charles Clarke, Conor O’Boyle, Benjamin Burns, Donagh MacArtain, Rab Urquhart, Regina from Galicia, Shaunna Lee Lynch, Philip Spillane, Mags Creedon, Bernadette Gallagher, Sue Blue, Catherine Ronan and Ciarán MacArtain.
Conor O’Boyle won this week’s Five Word challenge, on his début attempt and first night as Ó Bheal barman! Congrats Conor!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
12/20/19; 9:36 am
Open-mic night – 9th December 2019
Our warm thanks to Oran Ryan for his superb reading on Monday, reading mostly from his latest collection from Revival Press, Portrait of an Atheist Monk at Prayer (2019). You can listen to Oran’s reading here.
Thanks also to Rosalin Blue for her excellent job as emcee (for the first time at Ó Bhéal), and to all on the open-mic, Constantin Calgaru, Catherine Ronan, Mary O’Connell, Charles Clarke, Gerry Murphy, Sarel Thorrson, Benjamin Burns, Patricia Walsh, Shaunna Lee Lynch, Seamus Harrington, Colm Scully, Mags Creedon, Chris Harlos, Philip Spillane, Cedric Bikond, Amy Gurlitt, Ciarán MacArtain, Cathal Holden and Sue Blue.
Catherine Ronan won this week’s Five Word challenge. Well done Catherine!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
12/14/19; 10:49 am
Open-mic night – 2nd December 2019
We’re very grateful to Umang Kalra for bringing herself and her stunning poetry down from Dublin to be enjoyed by a well-attended (and later well-sated) Ó Bhéal audience. You can listen to Umang’s reading here.
Thanks to Jim Crickard for his subtle humour and deft touch as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Henry Glass, Catherine Ronan, Benjamin Burns, Dan Johnson, Sue Blue, Mary O’Connell, Philip Spillane, Daw Harding, Patricia Walsh, Gerry Murphy, Shaunna Lee Lynch, Amy Gurlitt, Bernadette Gallagher, Ciarán MacArtain, Jim Crickard and Rab Urquhart.
Philip Spillane won this week’s Five Word challenge. Congrats Philip!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
12/7/19; 4:42 pm
Open-mic night – 25th November 2019
Our warm thanks to Ellen Dillon for her superb reading on Monday, to a packed post-Winter Warmer Hayloft audience. You can listen to Ellen’s reading here.
Thanks to Ben Burns for keeping the helm steady, and to all on the open-mic, Margaret O’Regan, Catherine Ronan, Charles Clarke, Mary O’Connell, Dan Johnson, Patricia Walsh, Gerry Murphy, Conor McManus, Philip Spillane and Ciarán MacArtain.
Henry Glass won the Five Word challenge. Congrats Henry!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
11/30/19; 11:29 am
Open-mic night – 18th November 2019
Our special thanks to Grace Wilentz and Siobhan Daffy for both making their way down from Dubs and for their excellent readings and performances on Monday, warmly appreciated by a full Hayloft Bar audience. You can listen back to Grace and Siobhan here.
Thanks to Michelle Delea for steering the helm in great style, and to all on the open-mic, James O’Leary, Catherine Ronan, Charles Clarke, Dan Johnson, Emilia Kamadolski, Mary O’Connell, Aurianne Velay, Patricia Walsh, Margaret Creedon, Colm Scully, Richard Pierce, Philip Spillane, Benjamin Burns, Sue Blue and Cathal Holden.
Benjamin Burn won Monday’s Five Word challenge. Well done Ben!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
11/21/19; 4:11 pm
Open-mic night – 11th November 2019
We’re very grateful to Miriam Gamble for flying over from Edinburgh to give an engaging & rivetting reading on Monday. You could have heard a pin drop, in a very full Hayloft bar. You can listen to Miriam’s reading here.
Thanks to Rosie O’Regan for guiding the proceedings in fine style, and to all on the open-mic, Michael Sheehan, Benjamin Burns, Charles Clarke, Dan Johnson, Niamh Prior, Mary O’Connell, Patricia Walsh, Sue Blue, Philip Spillane, Niamh Twomey an Mags Creedon.
Dan Johnson won the Five Word challenge. Well done Dan!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
11/17/19; 12:04 pm
Open-mic night – 4th November 2019
Our warm thanks to Maurice Devitt for his fine reading on Monday, much enjoyed by a full Hayloft Bar audience. You can listen to Maurice’s reading here.
Thanks to Philip Spillane for his fine work as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Bob Cody, Simon Spichak, Catherine Ronan, Seamus Harrington, Zohar, Constantin Calgaru, Sue Blue, Mary O’Connell, Patricia Walsh, Mags Creedon, Cathal Holden and Philip Spillane.
Molly Twomey won the Five Word challenge. Congrats Molly!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
11/9/19; 11:27 am
Open-mic night – 28th October 2019
Míle Buíochais le master maestro Alan Titley who showed the Hayloft audience what it’s all about on Monday, i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla. A superb reading which kept the audience on the edge of their seats for a bumper 50 minutes. You can listen to Alan’s reading here.
Thanks also to Julie Field for a fabulous job as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Cédric Bikond, Mary O’Connell, Jamie Lawton, Sue Blue, Patricia Walsh, Seamus Harrington, Philip Spillane, Stan Notte and Daw Harding.
Philip Spillane won this week’s Five Word challenge. Congrats Philip!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
11/3/19; 12:21 pm
Open-mic night – 21st October 2019
We’re very grateful to Christodoulos Makris for his superb reading on Monday, of a captivating sequence taken from his new collection this is no longer entertainment (Manchester: Dostoyevsky Wannabe, 2019). You can listen to Christodoulos’s reading here.
Thanks also to Shaunna Lee Lynch for her elegant touch as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Margaret O’Regan, Mícheál Ó Ruairc, Mary O’Connell, Jac Shortland, Sue Blue, Seamus Harrington, Chris Bellerom, Patricia Walsh, Charles Clarke, Philip Spillane, Molly Twomey, Niamh Twomey, Zohar, Ciarán MacArtain and Mags Creedon.
Mags Creedon won the Five Word challenge. Fair plé Mags!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
10/27/19; 12:47 pm
Open-mic night – 14th October 2019
Our warm thanks to Clare McCotter for driving all the way down from Derry to give a briliant reading on Monday. You can listen to Clare’s reading here.
Thanks to Ciarán MacArtain for his professional touch as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Constantin Calgaru, Margaret O’Regan, Eoin Hurley, Catherine Ronan, Julie Aldridge, Charles Clarke, Mary O’Connell, Cédric Bikond, Patricia Walsh, Cathy Ryan, Anne O’Carroll, Zohar, Philip Spillane, Dan Johnson, Ciarán MacArtain and Mags Creedon.
Philip Spillane won the Five Word challenge. Well done Philip!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
10/17/19; 9:26 am
Open-mic night – 7th October 2019
A massive night at Ó Bheal for the 13th Munster Poetry Slam, saw 15 talented performers compete for the Munster crown, Jim Crickard, Nicola Spendlove, Shaunna Lee Lynch, Ciarán Macartain, Simon Spichak, Cathal Holden, Sue Blue, Julie Goo, Jamie Lawton, Philip Spillane, Derek Flynn, Behrooz Corcoran, Siobhan Tanner, Joanne McCarthy and Jason Fisher. The standard was mighty! Thanks and well done to all who took part.
Congratulations to winner Cathal Holden and to runners up Shaunna Lee Lynch and Jim Crickard, who are due to represent Munster in the All-Ireland finals in Dublin this November.
Our warm thanks to Emmet Kirwan for his amazing perfomance, as well as for judging, and you can listen to part of Emmet’s performance here.
Thanks too to emcee Stan Notte for keeping the ship tidy ‘n tight, and to all on the open-mic, Henry Glass, Shannon O’Reilly, Hannah Carberry, Sue Blue, Zoher and Patricia Walsh.
The open-mic mp3 is here.
10/11/19; 1:21 pm
Open-mic night – 30th September 2019
We’re very grateful to Kevin Griffin for his fine reading on Monday, of mostly poems from his forthcoming collection from New Binary Press. You can listen to Kevin’s reading here.
Thanks to Bernadette Gallagher for her excellent work as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Constantin Calgaru, Simon Spichak, Catherine Ronan, Molly Twomey, Dan Johnson, Mary O’Connell, Jac Shortland, Mick Jones, Gerry Murphy, Michelle Delea, Noel King, Sue Blue, Josh Buckner, Patricia Walsh, Mona Lynch, Cathal Holden, Philip Spillane, Ciarán MacArtain Jamie Lawton and Mo O’Connor.
Olive Corcoran won the Five Word challenge. Well done Olive!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
10/5/19; 11:53 am
Open-mic night – 23rd September 2019
A rapt Hayloft audience were delighted by Michelle O’Sullivan’s brilliant reading on Monday. Our warm thanks to Michelle for driving down from County Mayo to honour us at Ó Bhéal. You can listen to part of Michelle’s reading here.
Thanks to Benjamin Burns for rocking the emcee helm and to all on the open-mic, Margaret O’Regan, Eoin Hurley, Dan Johnson, Jim Crickard, Molly Twomey, Henry Glass, Patricia Walsh, Elaine Lombard, Ana Hall, Philip Spillane and Sue Blue.
Molly Twomey won the Five Word challenge. Congratulations Molly!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
09/28/19; 3:28 pm
Open-mic night – Friday 20th September 2019
Another fantastic turnout for Culture Night with the Hayloft absolutely full to the brim with word lovers and fine poetry, along with a brilliant reading by our guest, All-Ireland slam champ Beau Williams! You can listen to Beau’s reading here.
Thanks to all on the open-mic, Christina Ní Loughlainn, Jenni DeBie, Dan Johnson, Philip Spillane, Jim Crickard (aka Venus Envy), Niamh Twomey, Paul McDonald, Marie Haugh, Patricia Walsh, Molly Twomey, Amy Gurlitt, Declan Roche, Thomas Carr, Margaret Carr, Rosalin Blue, Emily Davis-Fletcher and Mags Creedon.
Amy Gurlitt won Monday’s Five Word challenge. Congrats Amy!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
09/22/19; 6:57 pm
Open-mic night – 16th September 2019
A superlative reading by Annemarie Ní Churreáin had the Hayloft audience rivetted to their seats on Monday. We’re very grateful to Annemarie and you can listen to part of Annemarie’s reading here.
Thanks also to Michelle Delea for her fine work as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Kevin Griffin, Anthony Durity, Joanne Hackett, Afric McGlinchey, Molly Twomey, Charles Clarke, Mary O’Connell, Emily Davis-Fletcher, Patricia Walsh, Michael Ray, Philip Spillane, Cédric Bikond, Amy, Dan Johnson, Gerry Murphy, Mo O’Connor and Mags Creedon.
Jessie Militante won Monday’s Five Word challenge. Congratulations Jessie!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
09/20/19; 9:13 am
Open-mic night – 9th September 2019
Our warm thanks to Alison Whitelock for her fabulous reading on Monday, to a full and appreciative Hayloft Bar audience. Alison read in four Irish cities on this, her first visit to Ireland, during a reading tour from Australia. You can listen to Ali’s reading here.
Thanks to Jim Crickard for his excellent work as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Anne Rynne, Constantin Calgaru, Rab Urquhart, Charles Clarke, Edward O’Dwyer, Martha Furey, Dan Johnson, Michelle Delea, Niamh Twomey, Patricia Walsh, Mags Creedon, Philip Spillane, Amy and Jim Crickard.
Henry Glass won the Five Word challenge. Well done Henry!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
09/13/19; 1:39 pm
Open-mic night – 2nd September 2019
We’re grateful to poet David Toms for his mighty reading on Monday, during his book launch and reading tour while on visit from Norway. David read mostly from his new collection Northly (Turas Press, 2019). We were also delighted to welcome David’s publisher Liz McSkeane from Turas Press, who was there to hand deliver David’s new collection, hot off the press.
Thanks to Philip Spillane for his mindful work as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Constantin Calgaru, Cédric Bikond, Margaret O’Regan, Dan Johnson, Molly Twomey, Niamh Twomey, Mike Linehan, Patricia Walsh, Charles Clarke, Mary O’Connell, Emily Davis-Fletcher, Kevin Power, Richard Hawtree, Sue Blue, Bernadette McCarthy, Jim Crickard and Helen Tisserand.
Jim Crickard won this week’s Five Word Challenge. Congrats Jim!
The open-mic and guest poet mp3s were robbed by the immortal tech faeries (for the first time in years). We can only apologise.
09/9/19; 10:29 am
Open-mic night – 26th August 2019
Our very warm thanks to Irish language poet Eibhlís Carcione & to Scots Gaelic poet Pàdraig MacAoidh for their superb readings on Monday. Pàdraig flew in from Edinburgh for the occasion, thanks to the generous support of Colmcille / Foras na Gaeilge. You can listen to Pàdraig’s reading here and to Eibhlís’s reading here.
Videos will be made available shortly on our youtube channel.
Thanks also to Julie Field for her fine work as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Jamie Lawton, Constantin Calgaru, Philip Spillane, Dan Johnson, Henry Glass, Molly Twomey, Charles Clarke, Patricia Walsh, Teresa Honan and Mags Creedon.
Molly Twomey won Monday’s Five Word challenge. Well done Molly!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
08/30/19; 2:23 pm
Open-mic night – 19th August 2019
We’re very grateful to poet Katie O’Donovan for her exquisite reading on Monday, to the delight of a well-attended Hayloft audience. Thanks Katie! You can listen to Katie’s reading here.
Thanks also to Rosie O’Regan for her skilled helmswomanship, and to all on the open-mic, Henry Glass, Dan Johnson, Sue Blue, Charles Clarke, Mary O’Connell, Jamie Lawton, Michelle Delea, Patricia Walsh, Cathal Holden, Mags Creedon, Margaret O’Regan, Mo O’Connor, Molly Twomey, Philip Spillane, Niamh O’Donovan and Andrew Carroll.
Niamh O’Donovan won Monday’s Five Word challenge. Congrats Niamh!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
08/22/19; 1:34 pm
Open-mic night – 12th August 2019
Our warm thanks to Patrick Lodge for his superb reading on Monday, well-appreciated by a sizeable Hayloft audience. You can listen to Patrick’s reading here.
Thanks also to Bernadette Gallagher for her professional touch as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Sue Blue, Hailey Hughes, Charles Clarke, Margaret O’Regan, Mary O’Connell, Jac Shortland, Cédric Bikond, Patricia Walsh, May Jeanette Fast, Philip Spillane, Molly Twomey, Simon Spichak, Rab Urquhart, Niamh Twomey, Maria Wood and Mo O’Connor.
Rosie O’Regan won the Five Word challenge. Fair play Rosie!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
08/17/19; 3:48 pm
Open-mic night – 5th August 2019
Our thanks to Aysar Ghassan and Raef Boylan for gracing the Hayloft stage in Monday, representing Coventry in Cork for the first of this year’s Twin Cities poetry exchanges. You can listen to Aysar reading here and to Raef’s reading here.
Thanks also to deputy Lord Mayor Dan Boyle for taking part and for welcoming the poets, to Stanley Notte for compering the proceedings in fine style and to all on the open-mic, Diarmuid Fitzgerald, Sue Blue, Cliff Wedgbury, Mary O’Connell, Charles Clarke, Patricia Walsh, Benjamin Burns, Amy, Rab Urquhart, Shaunna Lee Lynch and Stan Notte.
Shaunna Lee Lynch won Monday’s Five Words poetry challenge. Nice one Shaunna!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
08/10/19; 12:26 pm
Open-mic night – 29th July 2019
The Hayloft crowd were treated to an electrifying experience on Monday evening thanks to equally outstanding performances from Jim Crickard and Alana Daly Mulligan for Cork Pride. Thanks Jim and Alana! You can listen to Jim’s reading here and to Alana’s reading here.
Thanks to Shaunna Lee Lynch for her top class emcee work, and to all on the open-mic, Shaunna, Stan Notte, Jac Shortland, Jamie Lawton, Matthew Shelton, Patricia Walsh, Mary O’Connell, Benjamin Burns, Charles Clarke, Philip Spillane, Henry Glass, Sue Blue and Ray Hanrahan.
Mary Crickard won Monday evening’s Five Word challenge. Congratulations Mary!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
08/2/19; 11:14 am
Open-mic night – 22nd July 2019
A particularly fine reading from the erudite Randolph Healy was a delight for all present in the very full Hayloft bar on Monday night. Thank you Randolph! You can listen to Randolph’s reading here.
Thanks to Rab Urquhart for his eloquent touch as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Constantin Calgaru, Charles Clarke, Patrick Salmon Anson, Jac Shortland, Mary O’Connell, Sue Blue, Edward O’Dwyer, Patricia Walsh, Mel White, Caleb Brennan, Stanley Notte, Clayton Turner, Philip Spillane, Ciarán MacArtain, Cédric Bikond, Mags Creedon, Kevin Power and Jim Crickard.
Linda O’Flaherty won Monday’s Five Word challenge. Congratulations Linda!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
07/25/19; 10:06 am
Open-mic night – 15th July 2019
Our warm thanks to Kate Newmann for winding her way down from Donegal on Monday to give a fantastic reading, much enjoyed by all present in a full Hayloft bar. You can listen to Kate’s reading here.
Thanks also to Jim Crickard for his adept touch as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Constantyn Calugaru, Chris Boucher, Sinisha Rudan, Sandy Yannone, Edward O’Dwyer, Charles Clarke, Mary O’Connell, John Horan, Benjamin Burns, Philip Spillane, Mo O’Connor and Ciarán MacArtain.
Michael O’Callaghan won the Five Word challenge. Congrats Michael!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
07/19/19; 9:46 am
Open-mic night – 8th July 2019
Our warm thanks to Jessica Traynor for her touching and powerful reading on Monday, drawing sighs and enthusiasm from a full house in the Hayloft. You can listen to Jessica’s reading here.
Thanks to Julie Field for her magical touch as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Fergus Costello, Irina, Jason Loughnane, Ruairí de Barra, Jim Crickard, Charles Clarke, Patricia Walsh, Sue Blue, Philip Spillane, Mary O’Connell, Mags Creedon, Máirín-Rua Ní Aodha, Michelle Delea and Amy.
Rosie O’Regan won the Five Word challenge. Nice one Rosie!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
07/11/19; 12:11 pm
Open-mic night – 1st July 2019
Our warm thanks to wordsmith Niall McDevitt for venturing over from London to read his superbly wrought, crystalline poems. Niall read from a number of his collections and he had the Ó Bhéal audience rivetted throughout. You can listen to Niall’s reading here.
Thanks to Ben Burns for his top class work as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Henry Glass, Niall Herriott, Mary O’Connell, Patricia Walsh, Sue Blue, Cédric Bikond, Philip Spillane, Máirín-Rua Ní Aodha, Amy and Rab Urquhart.
Patricia Walsh won won the Five Word challenge. Well done Patricia!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
07/7/19; 10:19 am
Open-mic night – 24th June 2019
Kimberly Campanello gave a captivating reading on Monday from her new book MOTHERBABYHOME (zimZalla Avant Objects, 2019), a 796-page book of conceptual and visual poetry on the St Mary’s Mother and Baby Home in Tuam. Our warm thanks to Kimberly and we wish her the very best with this unique and astounding publication. You can listen to Kimberly’s reading here.
Thanks to Philip Spillane for his superb work as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Robery Edmonds, Hailey Hughes, Henry Glass, Mary O’Connell, Michelle Delea, Sue Blue, Patricia Walsh, Jim Crickard, Gerry Murphy, Clayton Turner, Hollie Jones, Cédric Bikond, Ciarán MacArtain and Mags Creedon.
Jim Crickard won this week’s Five Word challenge, congrats Jim!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
06/27/19; 4:40 pm
Open-mic night – 17th June 2019
We’re very grateful to Anthony Lawrence for his superb reading on Monday, and for taking part at Ó Bhéal during his visit from New South Wales. You can listen to Anthony’s reading here.
Thanks to Bernadette Gallagher for her professional touch as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Julie Manning, Henry Glass, Sue Blue, Jacqueline Curtin, Seamus Harrington, Patricia Walsh, Michelle Delea, Mags Creedon, Jamie Lawton, Philip Spillane, Jim Crickard and Ana Spehar.
Colm Scully won this week’s Five Word challenge, well done Colm!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
06/24/19; 11:37 am
Open-mic night – 10th June 2019
Many thanks to Clodagh Beresford Dunne whose poems were very well received on Monday during her superb reading, heartily enjoyed by all present. Thanks Clodagh!
Thanks too to Stanley Notte for his expert emceemanship, and to all on the open-mic, Molly Twomey, Mary O’Connell, Jac Shortland, Mags Creedon, Ray Hanrahan, Charles Clarke, Seamus Harrington, Patricia Walsh, John Mee, Philip Spillane, Holly Jones and Jacqueline Curtin.
Paul Casey won this week’s Five Word challenge, so he did.
The open-mic mp3 is here.
06/13/19; 3:12 pm
Open-mic night – 3rd June 2019
We had a mighty and fitting turnout for Danny Sheehy’s tribute event on Monday, including a large cohort from west Kerry. A fantastic event by all accounts and we’re very grateful to musician Brendan Begley and to readers Ceaití Ní Bheildiúin, Eibhlís Carcione, Billy Ramsell, Bríd Ní Mhóráin, Bernadette Nic an tSaoir, Marian Ó Murchú, Julie Field and Paul Casey. You can listen to nine of Danny’s poems being read as gaeilge here.
Warm thanks to emcee Michelle Delea who tamed the night with fine style and humour, and to all on the open-mic – many of whom read or sang in tribute to Danny – Donagh MacArtain, Jac Shortland, Gerry Murphy (aka. John Montague), Elaine Lombard, Aengus Ó Dálaigh, Mags Creedon, Patricia Walsh, Philip Spillane, Henry Glass, Seamus Harrington, Sara Roche and Caitlín Ní Lordáin.
Seán Ó Draoi won this week’s Five Word challenge. Comhghairdeas a Sheáin!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
06/7/19; 9:49 am
Open-mic night – 27th May 2019
Ohioan poets Philip Metres and Dave Lucas both gave superb readings of their equally superb poems on Monday, delighting the Ó Bhéal audience. Our warm thanks to both poets for venturing all the way to Cork! You can listen to Philip’s reading here and to Dave’s reading here.
Thanks to Rosie O’Regan for fine tuning the proceedings with aplomb, and to all on the open-mic, Charles Clarke, Savannah Goodman, Philip Spillane, Amy, Cédric Bikond, Sue Blue, Patricia Walsh, Mags Creedon, Mary O’Connell, Jamie Lawton and Mo O’Connor.
Sue Blue won this week’s Five Word challenge. Congratulations Sue!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
05/31/19; 3:51 pm
Open-mic night – 20th May 2019
Our warm thanks to Derek Sellen for coming over from Canterbury and for his top-class reading on Monday, all ekphrastic poems (with related images projected overhead) from Derek’s new collection The Other Guernica (Cultured Llama, 2018). You can listen to Derek’s reading here.
Thanks to Jim Crickard for his excellent work as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Hailey Hughes, Sue Blue, Mary Anne Smith, Patricia Walsh, Charles Clarke, Rab Urquhart, Philip Spillane, Platon, Elisa Sabbadin, Elaine Lombard, John Moran, Martin Morrisey, Joe Shaeffer, Christy Parker and Ciarán MacArtain.
Ciarán MacArtain won this week’s Five Word challenge. Fair plé Ciarán!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
05/25/19; 11:32 am
Open-mic night – 13th May 2019
We’re very grateful to Áine Durkin for driving down from Donegal to enthrall the Ó Bhéal audience with her beautiful Gaelic verse. Owning no translations of her poems (hint hint translators …), Áine offered succinct explanations for each poem in English, allowing all present to savour the delicious sounds and rhythms of the Irish language. You can listen to Áine’s reading here.
Thanks also to Ciarán MacArtain for emceeing in fine bilingual form, and to all on the open-mic, Simon Spichak, Julie Aldridge, Charles Clarke, Jenny Debie, Molly Twomey, Kieran Raftery, Patricia Walsh, Mags Creedon, Conor McManus (with Colm Scully), Alma Kelly and Ciarán MacArtain.
Bella Young won this week’s Five Word challenge. Well done Bella!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
05/16/19; 12:09 pm
Open-mic night – 6th May 2019
Our warm thanks to Joe Neal for his fine reading on Monday, to a smaller than usual (but lively) bank holiday audience. You can listen to Joe’s reading here.
Thanks to Rab Urquhart for emceeing the evening, and to all on the open-mic, Jac Shortland, Charles Clarke, Philip Spillane, Patricia Walsh, Elisa Sabbadin, Benjamin Burns and Ciarán MacArtain.
Ben Burns won this week’s Five Word challenge. Congrats Ben!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
05/13/19; 10:29 am
Open-mic night – 29th April 2019
Our warm thanks to the brilliant Tania Hershman for coming over from Manchester to deliver a stellar reading on Monday, with poems that delighted the well-packed Hayloft audience to no end. You can listen to Tania’s reading here.
Thanks too to Shaunna Lee Lynch for her fine work as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Simon Spichak, Linda Ibbotson, Eoin Hurley, Cédric Bikond, Elaine Lombard, Rab Urquhart, Philip Spillane, Charles Clarke, Patricia Walsh, Stanley Notte, Mags Creedon, Ray Hanrahan, Ciarán MacArtain and Christy Parker.
Ray Hanrahan won this week’s Five Word challenge, Well done Ray!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
05/3/19; 7:38 am
Open-mic night – 22nd April 2019
Our warm thanks to Majella Kelly for coming down from Tuam to give an absolutely superb reading on Monday, with the audience hanging onto every word. You can listen to Majella’s reading here.
Thanks to Ben Burns for his steady hand at the helm, and to all on the open-mic, Irina, Sandra Beasley, Sue Blue, Patricia Walsh, Gerry Murphy, Philip Spillane, John Mee and Jim Crickard.
Philip Spillane won the Five Word Challenge. Nice one Philip!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
04/27/19; 12:23 pm
Open-mic night – 15th April 2019
We had a fantastic 12th Anniversary night in Monday with competition winner Mary Anne Smith reading her winning entry and a selection of her poems. Shortlisted poets Geraldine McCarthy and Derek Sellen also read, while competition judge Bernadette McCarthy read a highly commended entry from Jenny Pollak. A number of contributors to Five Words Vol XII also read. You can listen to Mary Anne Smith’s reading here and to the shortlisted poets & contributors to Five Words Vol XII here.
Thanks also to everyone on the open mic who read other poets’ poetry, Ana Isabella Byrne, Philip Spillane, Cédric Bikond, Bernadette McCarthy, Jac Shortland, Hailey Hughes, Elaine Lombard, Sarah Kentish, Dean Browne, Shaunna Lee Lynch, Derek Sellen, Sue Blue, Mary Anne Smith, Benjamin Burns, Jim Crickard, Niall Herriott, Sandy Yannone, Charles Clarke, Mags Creedon, Patricia Walsh, Jo Collins and Rab Urquhart.
Philip Spillane won this week’s Five Word Challenge. Congrats Philip!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
04/27/19; 12:16 pm
Open-mic night – 8th April 2019
Thanks to Mayo maestro Terry McDonagh for coming down to show us how it’s done on Monday, with a fantastic reading from his recent books. You can listen to Terry’s reading in full right here.
Thanks to Philip Spillane for his superb handling of the evening and open-mic, and to all who read, Fergus Costello, Grant March, Daw Harding, Sandra Beasley, Sue Blue, Nelly Azzopardi, Cédric Bikond, Patricia Walsh, Charles Clarke, Sam, Ciara, Elaine, Stanley Notte, Rab Urquhart and Julie Goo.
Nuka Gbafah won this week’s Five Word Challenge. Brilliant work Nuka!
The open-mic mp3 is here.
04/13/19; 1:34 pm