December 13th, 2024 at 6:37 pm
Posted by pc in Ópen-mic on Mondays

    Monthly Hybrid Poetry Events: Live Streamed

    What: Poetry Films, Five Word Challenge, Guest Poets & Open-Mic
                            *** Contributors take part via zoom and in-person ***

    When: 2nd Monday, Monthly @ 8.30pm (+ Poetry Films from 7pm)

    Where: Hayloft Bar (Long Valley Bar), Winthrop St, Cork (& online).

    Guest Poet & Open-Mic mp3s: Monday Event Archive

    Wordshops: Creative Writing at Ó Bhéal and Beyond …

    Ó Bhéal – a poem by Anamaría Crowe Serrano


Five Words Poetry Competition*** Ópen *** 12th Five Words Poetry Competition *** Ópen ***

Click here for this week’s words & guidelines >>>>>>

The 2024 judge is Lauren O’Donovan!



Guest Poet Line-up for November 2024 – January 2025
Events are posted every 2 months. Click names for biographical details

**HYBRID EVENTS**

@ Nano Nagle Place 12th Winter Warmer festival – 22nd-24th November

Ó Bhéal’s End of Year Event Martina Evans – 9th December

First Fortnight Festival Jeanann Verlee & Lauren McNamara – 13th January

Click here for our Live Poetry StageEvents are held in the Hayloft Bar, upstairs at the Long Valley, Winthrop st,
as well as on Zoom and streamed via obheal.ie/live (more details via the links above)
 
Poetry Films start from 7.00pm (45mins – Not Streamed). Five Word challenge starts at 8.30pm.
Guest poets begin at around 9.20/9.30pm, Open-Mic session from 10.30pm.




 The 12th Ó Bhéal Poetry-Film Comp shortlist

… was screened on Sunday 24th Nov at the

12th Winter Warmer Poetry Festival.

A special Irish Selection was also screened on Sat 23rd Nov.

All screenings are free to view on our FESTIVAL STAGE.
(Playlists have excluded certain films on request.)


 

Congratulations to Anya Ryzhkova this year’s competition winner,

for her incredible poetry film 09.01.berkovich!


 



699 Responses to “Poetry Readings & Open-Mic Nights”

  1. 1
    pc Said: @12:23 pm 

    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
  2. 2
    pc Said: @12:16 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
  3. 3
    pc Said: @1:34 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
  4. 4
    pc Said: @12:18 pm 

    Open-mic night – 1st April 2019

    Our warm thanks to Kerry poet Faye Boland for her superb reading on Monday, enjoyed by a lively Hayloft audience from start to finish. You can listen to Faye’s reading here.

    Thanks also to Stanley Notte for his fine work as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Simon, Sue Blue, Jac Shortland, Mary O’Connell, Nelly Azzopardi, Patricia Walsh, Cédric Bikond, Elisa Sabbadin, Jim Crickard, Sandra Beasley, Ciarán MacArtain and Philip Spillane.

    Jamie Lawton won this week’s Five Word Challenge. Fair plé Jamie!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    04/4/19; 12:18 pm
  5. 5
    pc Said: @12:04 pm 

    Open-mic night – 25th March 2019

    Ár mbuíochas speisialta le Marcus as a léitheoireacht den scoth ar oíche Dé Luain. Our special thanks to Marcus for his excellent reading on Monday, much enjoyed by all present. And thanks to Claire Cunningham and Louis de Paor for recording the evening for BBC Radio 4. You can listen to Marcus’s reading here.

    Thanks also to Julie Field for steering the evening perfectly (i dhá theanga), and to all on the open-mic, Simon, Lwijia, Sandra Beasley, Jim Crickard, Charles Clarke, Rosie O’Regan, Louis de Paor, Hailey Hughes, Jamie Lawton, Patricia Walsh, Philip Spillane, Mags Creedon and Mo O’Connor.

    Jim Crickard won this week’s Five Word Challenge. Well done Jim!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    04/4/19; 12:04 pm
  6. 6
    pc Said: @12:31 pm 

    Open-mic night – 18th March 2019

    Poet Raina J. León gave a powerful and inspired reading on Monday, to a full and appreciative Hayloft audience. Our very warm thanks to Raina who has been instrumental in forming Ó Bhéal’s twin city links with San Francisco. You can listen to Raina’s reading here.

    Thanks to Jim Crickard for his superb work as emcee (and for jumping in at short notice!), and to all on the open-mic, Jason J. Fisher, Jamie Lawton, Charles Clarke, Sandra Beasley, Joe Healy, Patricia Walsh, Sue Blue, Mags Creedon, Hailey Hughes, Beau Williams and Jim Crickard himself.

    And Raina won this week’s Five Word Challenge. Congrats Raina!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    03/24/19; 12:31 pm
  7. 7
    pc Said: @3:49 pm 

    Open-mic night – 11th March 2019

    Our warm thanks to Galway-based poets Pete Mullineaux and Moya Roddy for their excellent readings on Monday, much appreciated by all. You can listen to Pete’s reading here, and to Moya’s reading here.

    Thanks also to Rosie O’Regan for guiding the evening with care, and to all on the open-mic, Julie Aldridge, Patricia Walsh, Charles Clarke, Cédric Bikond, Philip Spillane, Ciarán MacArtain, Mags Creedon and Rab Urquhart.

    Julie Aldridge won this week’s Five Word Challenge. Well done Julie!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    03/17/19; 3:49 pm
  8. 8
    pc Said: @11:56 am 

    Open-mic night – 4th March 2019

    Our heartfelt thanks to Columbian-US poet George Mario Angel Quintero, for his rivetting reading on Monday, delighting a packed Hayloft audience. George arrived from Medellín (via Spain) for his first visit to Ireland, on his way to the StAnza Festival in Edinburgh. You can listen to George’s reading here.

    Thanks to Bernadette Gallagher for her professional touch as emcee, and to all on the open-mic (including a lively gang from Principia College), David McCook, Stanley Notte, Quinn Heinbaugh, Jamie Lawton, Charles Clarke, Philip Spillane, Jim Crickard, Patricia Walsh, Julia Trudell, Lily Oyer, Ray Hanrahan, Carolina Queiroz Couto, Sue Blue, Sami Corbitt, Hailey Hughes, George Agai, Conor Smithson, Mags Creedon and John O’Hagan.

    Sara Wienecke from Principia College won this week’s Five Word Challenge. Congratulations Sara!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    03/9/19; 11:56 am
  9. 9
    pc Said: @1:25 pm 

    Open-mic night – 25th February 2019

    Our warm thanks to Aoife Reilly for coming down from Galway to share her fine poems on Monday. You can listen to Aoife’s reading here.

    Thanks also to Ciarán MacArtain for steering the proceedings in fine order, and to all on the open mic, Linda Ibbotson, Mona Lynch, Mary O’Connell, Patricia Walsh, Elisa Sabbadin, Cedric Bikond, Philip Spillane, Jim Crickard and Shaunna Lee Lynch.

    Nuka Gbafah won the five word challenge. Nice one Nuka!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    03/1/19; 1:25 pm
  10. 10
    pc Said: @11:16 am 

    Open-mic night – 18th February 2019

    Karen O’Connor brought the house down on Monday with her moving, everyday and finely iced-with-irony poems, which had the Hayloft crowd hanging onto every syllable. You can listen to Karen’s reading here.

    Thanks to Jim Crickard for his steady navigation through a particularly busy night of readers, and to all on the open-mic, Brendan Mulcahy, Andy, Fergus Costello, Stanley Notte, Jac Shortland, Rab Urquhart, Charles Clarke, Sue Blue, Ethan Desmond, Patricia Walsh, Hailey Hughes, Cédric Bikond, Niamh Twomey, Orla Daly, Pay Hanrahan, Philip Spillane, Colm Scully, Jill Doherty, Jamie Lawton, Ciarán MacArtain and Ben Burns.

    Brendan Mulcahy won this week’s five word challenge. Congrats Brendan!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    02/23/19; 11:16 am
  11. 11
    pc Said: @12:33 pm 

    Open-mic night – 11th February 2019

    A fantastic reading on Monday by Cork’s own John FitzGerald, whose new book Darklight (Salvage Press, 2019) has just been published, with an etching by Dorothy Cross. Our warm thanks to John for sharing his superb poems. You can listen to his reading here.

    Thanks also to Philip Spillane for his steady hand as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Linda Ibbotson, Rosie, Sandra Beasley, Seamus Harrington, Jamie Lawton, Elisa Sabbadin, Patricia Walsh, Rab Urquhart, Mags Noonan, Terry Doyle, Niall Herriott and Jim Crickard.

    Mags Creedon won this week’s five word challenge. Nice job Mags!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    02/18/19; 12:33 pm
  12. 12
    pc Said: @1:36 pm 

    Open-mic night – 4th February 2019

    Our warm thanks to Leanne O’Sullivan for organising the Creative Writing students from UCC to read on Monday, and to Matthew Geden for introducing the MA and PhD students. A compelling array of fresh work from nine readers delighted the lively Hayloft audience. You can listen to the guest readings here.

    Thanks also to Benjamin Burns for his light touch as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Fergus Costello, Sue Blue, Sandra Beasley, Mary O’Connell, Philip Spillane, Patricia Walsh, Paschal MacDonnell, Elisa Sabbadin, Shaunna Lee Lynch, Jim Crickard, John Woods, Cillian O’Regan, Richard Pierce, Stan Notte and Ciarán MacArtain.

    Jim Crickard won this week’s five word challenge. Well done Jim!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    02/7/19; 1:36 pm
  13. 13
    pc Said: @1:40 pm 

    Open-mic night – 28th January 2019

    Our warm thanks to Ceaití Ní Bheildiúin for her superb bilingual reading on Monday to a well-attended and well-pleased Hayloft audience. You can listen to Ceaití’s reading here.

    Thanks also to Julie Field for her quality work as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Rosalin Blue, Sandra Beasley, Charles Clarke, Benjamin Burns, Patricia Walsh, Amy, Rab Urquhart, Philip Spillane, Mags Creedon, Elisa Sabbadin, Ciarán MacArtain, Alexis Espejo and Bill.

    Cillian O’Regan won this week’s five word challenge. Congratulations Cillian!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    02/3/19; 1:40 pm
  14. 14
    pc Said: @2:48 pm 

    Open-mic night – 21st January 2019

    We’re very grateful to poet James Finnegan for coming down from Donegal to give a brilliant reading on Monday, to a full and well-satitiated Hayloft audience. You can listen to James’s reading here.

    Thanks to Rab Urquhart for his light touch as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Julie Aldridge, Mary O’Connell, Jac Shortland, Philip Spillane, Charles Clarke, Patricia Walsh, Cillian O’Regan, Michael O’Callaghan, Jill Doherty, Ciarán MacArtain and Colleen Hehir.

    Michael O’Callahan won this week’s five word challenge. Great job Michael!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    01/27/19; 2:48 pm
  15. 15
    pc Said: @10:54 am 

    Open-mic night – 14th January 2019

    Our very warm thanks to poet Rachael Hegaerty for her rivetting reading on Monday, delighting everyone in the (very full) Hayloft. You can listen to Rachael’s reading here.

    Thanks also to Rosie O’Regan for her fine work as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Jac Shortland, Hollis, Sam, Charles Clarke, Patricia Walsh, Edward O’Dwyer, Luc O’Rourke, Mary O’Connell, Rob O’Donoghue, Philip Spillane, Ciarán MacArtain and Alana Daly Mulligan.

    Alana Daly Mulligan won this week’s five word challenge. Congratulations Alana!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    01/21/19; 10:54 am
  16. 16
    pc Said: @12:24 pm 

    Open-mic night – 7th January 2019

    A mighty start to the year with a full house for our First Fortnight event featuring well-loved poet Stephen James Smith. You can listen to Stephen’s performance here.

    Thanks also to Stan Notte who emceed the proceedings in fine style and good humour, and to all on the open-mic, Rosalin Blue, John Tynan, Megan Cronin, The Jungle Luc, Seamus Harrington, Gerry Murphy, Patricia Walsh, Niall Herriott, Philip Spillane, Jim Crickard, Cédric Bikond, Rab Urquhart, Ciarán MacArtain and Mags Creedon.

    Cillian O’Regan won this week’s five word challenge. Congrats Cillian!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    01/13/19; 12:24 pm
  17. 17
    pc Said: @2:39 pm 

    Open-mic night – 10th December 2018

    A brilliant end-of-year event on Monday with the formidable Leanne O’Sullivan in flying form – you could have heard a pin drop! Our warm thanks to Leanne for making it a night to remember. You can listen to Leanne’s reading here.

    Our thanks to all on the open-mic, Rishtí Mac Piarais, Julie Aldridge, Megan Cronin, Dean Browne, Jac Shortland, Niamh Twomey, Mary O’Connell, Charles Clarke, Hailey Hughes, Patricia Walsh, Stan Notte, Ed (just Ed), Philip Spillane, Ray Hanrahan, Shaunna Lee Lynch, Benjamin Burns, Mags Creedon and Jacqueline Curtin.

    Shaunna Lee Lynch won this week’s five word challenge. Fair plé Shaunna!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    12/18/18; 2:39 pm
  18. 18
    pc Said: @4:27 pm 

    Open-mic night – 3rd December 2018

    We’re very grateful to William Wall for his exceptional reading on Monday which warmed the winter Hayloft crowd up and thrilled their ears to no end! You can listen to William’s reading here.

    Thanks to Shaunna-Lee Lynch for rocking the mic Cork style – and to all on the open-mic, Kurt Tidmore, Mary O’Connell, Jac Shortland, Orla Kelly, Charles Clarke, Stanley Notte, Cédric Bikond, Fergus Costello, Benjamin Burns, Jim Crickard, Philip Spillane, Patricia Walsh, Rob O’Donoghue and Ciarán MacArtain.

    Ben Burns won the five word challenge. Congrats Ben!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    12/6/18; 4:27 pm
  19. 19
    pc Said: @12:34 pm 

    Open-mic night – 26th November 2018

    Eleanor Hooker treated all those nestled up in the Hayloft to a superb reading on Monday, our warm thanks to Eleanor for delighting Ó Bhéal’s largely post-festival crowd.

    Thanks to Bernadette Gallagher for emceeing in fine style and with much aplomb after volunteering for the Winter Warmer all weekend! And to all on the open-mic, Stan Notte, Linda Ibbotson, Mary O’Connell, Beau Williams, Elisa Platon, Niamh Twomey, Patricia Walsh, Seamus Harrington, Rab Urquhart and Ciarán MacArtain.

    Barbara Cangiano (read by Stan Notte) won Monday’s five word challenge. Congratulazioni Barbara!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    12/2/18; 12:34 pm
  20. 20
    pc Said: @7:58 pm 

    Open-mic night – 19th November 2018

    Our heartfelt thanks to Knute Skinner for a most enjoyable reading on Monday and for delighting the Hayloft audience. You can listen to Knute’s reading here.

    Thanks also to Sue Cosgrave for her experienced touch as emcee, and to all who read their poems on the open-mic, Eric Kavanagh, Cédric Bikond, Jac Shortland, Mags Creedon, Patricia Walsh, Hailey Hughes, Charles Clarke, Elisa Sabbadin and Ciara Barrett.

    Stan Notte won Monday’s five word challenge. Congrats Stan!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    11/20/18; 7:58 pm
  21. 21
    pc Said: @1:52 pm 

    Open-mic night – 12th November 2018

    Our warm thanks to Shara Lessley for flying over from Oxford to share her superb poems, to a comfortably full Hayloft audience. You can listen to Shara’s reading here.

    Thanks also to Jim Crickard for a stellar job on his début as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Benjamin Burns, Dean Browne, Jac Shortland, Chloe Jesse, Mary O’Connell, Claire O’Moore, Rob O’Donoghue, Patricia Walsh, Philip Spillane, Cillian O’Regan, Ciarán MacArtain, Hailey Hughes and Jim Crickard.

    Ben Burns won Monday’s five word challenge. Nice one Ben!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    11/15/18; 1:52 pm
  22. 22
    pc Said: @4:01 pm 

    Open-mic night – 5th November 2018

    Our very warm thanks to poets Zoya Zoya (aka Zovi Zoni), Asad Mahmud, Mel White and Ilyana Kuhling for their excellent readings and performances on Monday, for the final event in our Heritage Council-funded ‘Make a Connection’ series. You can listen to Zovi’s reading here, to Asad’s reading here, to Mel’s reading here and to Ilyana’s reading here.

    Thanks too to Ciarán MacArtain for his adept helmsmanship, and to all on the open-mic, David Coughlan, Jac Shortland, Charles Clarke, Philip Spillane, Patricia Walsh, Rab Urquhart, Elisa Sabbadin, Marty Rath, Jim Crickard, Mags Creedon, Cillian O’Regan and Eric Kavanagh.

    Jim Crickard won Monday’s five word challenge. Well done Jim!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    11/8/18; 4:01 pm
  23. 23
    pc Said: @3:14 pm 

    Open-mic night – 29th October 2018

    Jazz-Poetry night was a big hit again on Monday, with the greatly varied improv skills of pianist Darragh Hennessy adding nothing but pure musical fuel to the dream-fire poetry of Sex W. Johnston, setting the end of the jazz festival ablaze! Our warm thanks to Sex W, to Darragh and to John W.Sexton for his brief appearance. You can listen to Sex W and Darragh reading here.

    Thanks to Stan Notte for his due care at the helm, and to all on the open-mic, John Mee, Sue Blue, Cliff Wedgebury, Hailey Hughes, Mairéad Willis, Cédric Bikond, Patricia Walsh, Rab Urquhart, Jim Crickard, Fergus Costello, Shaunna Lee Lynch, Benjamin Burns, Ciarán MacArtain, Ayla Goktan and Stanley Notte.

    Patricia Walsh won Monday’s five word challenge. Great stuff Trish!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    11/4/18; 3:14 pm
  24. 24
    pc Said: @3:11 pm 

    Open-mic night – 22nd October 2018

    Our special thanks to Iggy McGovern for coming down from Dublin to give a superb reading on Monday. You can listen to Iggy’s reading here.

    Thanks also to Rosie O’Regan for steering the proceedings in fine style, and to all on the open-mic, Charles Clarke, Rosalin Blue, Jac Shortland, Hailey Hughes, Mags Creedon, Seamus Harrington, Cédric Bikond, Patricia Walsh, Philip Spillane, Mary O’Connell, Niall Hearne, Stanley Notte and Ciarán MacArtain.

    Nicola Stathers won the five word challenge. Congrats Nicola!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    10/25/18; 3:11 pm
  25. 25
    pc Said: @4:29 pm 

    Open-mic night – 15th October 2018

    Our very warm thanks to Julie O’Callaghan for for thrilling the Ó Bhéal audience on Monday with her superb poems. You can listen to Julie’s reading here.

    Thanks also to Philip Spillane for his fine work as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Jamie Lawton, Niamh O’Gorman, Jac Shortland, Niall Hearne, Ray Hanrahan, Elisa Sabbadin, Patricia Walsh, Charles Clarke, Mary O’Connell, Colm Ahern, Jacqueline Curtin, Micheál Ó Ruairc, Ciarán MacArtain and Philip Spillane.

    Ciarán MacArtain won the five word challenge. Nice job Ciarán!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    10/20/18; 4:29 pm
  26. 26
    pc Said: @11:01 am 

    Open-mic night – 8th October 2018

    Our very special thanks to Ismael Ramos for flying over from Vigo to take part in our fifth Heritage Series ‘Make a Connection’ event with a fabulous reading (projected in translation), and also to Emmanuel Jakpa for coming from Waterford. You can listen to Emmanuel’s reading here and to Ismael’s reading here.

    Thanks also to Ben Burns for his stellar work as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Isaac Xubín, Dean Browne, Charles Clarke, Jac Shortland, Rishtí Mac Piarais, Jim Crickard, Elisa, Patricia Walsh, Deirdre O’Keefe, Philip Spillane, Bridget O’Brien, Ana Špehar, Colm Ahern, Hailey Hughes, Niamh Twomey, Ciarán MacArtain, Stanley Notte and Sue Blue.

    Rishtí Mac Piarais won Monday’s five word challenge. Congrats Rishtí!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    10/13/18; 11:01 am
  27. 27
    pc Said: @2:28 pm 

    Open-mic night – 1st October 2018

    Our warm thanks to Mary-Jane Holmes for her superb reading on Monday, her poems were very well received by a full Hayloft audience. You can listen to Mary-Jane’s reading here.

    Thanks to Rab Urquhart for running the night in style, and to all on the open-mic, John Mee, Stephen, Mary O’Connell, Herbert Kearney, Joe Healy, Jim Crickard, Seamus Harrington, Benjamin Burns, Patricia Walsh, Shaunna Lee Lynch, Gerry Murphy, Philip Spillane, Mags Creedon, Ray Hanrahan, Colm Ahern and Ciarán MacArtain.

    Philip Spillane won this week’s five word challenge. Well done Philip!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    10/3/18; 2:28 pm
  28. 28
    pc Said: @9:11 am 

    Open-mic night – 24th September 2018

    The Hayloft was full to the brim for a poignant, yet celebratory night of memorable tributes to Matthew Sweeney, including numerous readings of his poetry. Matthew had originally been booked to read at this event and so had asked a number of poets to read poems from his new collections. Our special thanks to all these poets for reading Matthew’s work – Tom Moore, John Mee, Gerry Murphy, Pat Cotter, Mary Donnelly, Dean Browne, Tom McCarthy and Mary Noonan. You can listen to their combined reading here

    Thanks to all on the open-mic, many of whom read Matthew’s poems, Bernadette McIntyre, Rab Urquhart, Billy Ramsell, Bernadette Gallagher, Deirdre O’Brien, Jac Shortland, Seamus Harrington, MIchelle Delea, Patricia Walsh, Mary O’Connell, Mags Creedon, Jean Curtayne, Colm Ahern, Fergus Costello, Charles Clarke and Mo O’Connor.

    Michael O’Callaghan won this week’s five word challenge. Congratulations Michael!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    09/30/18; 9:11 am
  29. 29
    pc Said: @12:07 pm 

    Open-mic night – 21st September 2018

    Our very special thanks to Nuala Leonard for absolutely wow-ing the Hayloft audience for Culture Night, the room was packed to the rafters with punters, atmosphere and talent. You can listen to Nuala’s performance here.

    Thanks to Michelle Delea for her professional touch as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Rab Urquhart, Claire Richard, Philip Spillane, Rosalin Blue, Ray Hanrahan, Mary O’Leary, Benjamin Burns, Shaunna Lee Lynch, Orla Daly, Mags Creedon, Raphaelle Martineau, Niall Herriott and jim Crickard.

    Michael Carey won the five word challenge this week. Congratulations Michael!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    09/22/18; 12:07 pm
  30. 30
    pc Said: @4:06 pm 

    Open-mic night – 17th September 2018

    We’re very grateful to Irish Chair & Professor of Poetry Eiléan Ní Chuilleanáin, as well as to poet Borbála Faragó for both giving absolutely fantastic readings on Monday, for Ó Bhéal’s 4th Heritage Council funded ‘Make a Connection’ event. You can listen to Borbála’s reading here and to Eiléan’s reading here.

    Our thanks also to Shaunna Lee Lynch for her excellent job as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Kevin Griffin, Matthew Moynihan, John Ryan, Charles Clarke, Seamus Harrington, Jac Shortland, Patricia Walsh, Elisa, Cliff Wedgbury, Marty Rath, Shayan, Jamie Lawton, Ray Hanarahan, Benjamin Burns, Beau Williams, Mags Creedon, Máirín-Rua Ní Aodhaa and Daw Harding.

    Rab Urquhart won the five word challenge this week. Nice one Rab!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    09/20/18; 4:06 pm
  31. 31
    pc Said: @5:10 pm 

    Open-mic night – 10th September 2018

    Another class evening in the Hayloft with fine poems from maestro Kevin Kiely on Monday, to a well-stocked, sated and appreciative Hayloft audience. Our warm thanks to Kevin for venturing down to share his work. You can listen to Kevin’s reading here.

    Thanks to Ciarán MacArtain for keeping the ship on course, and to all on the open-mic, Lucas, Jac Shortland, Mary O’Connell, Julie Aldridge, Patricia Walsh, Philip Spillane, Matthew Moynihan, Jacqueline Curtin, Benjamin Burns, Mags Creedon, Shaunna Lee Lynch, Mary Nagle, Rab Urquhart, Kieran Raftery and Ciarán MacArtain.

    Matthew Moynihan won the five word challenge this week. Nice job Matthew!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    09/16/18; 5:10 pm
  32. 32
    pc Said: @4:10 pm 

    Open-mic night – 3rd September 2018

    Anne-Marie Fyfe gave an intriguing presentation along with a superb reading of her own and others’ poetry on Monday, with musical accompaniment by Cahal Dallat, very much enjoyed by an attentive Hayloft audience. Our heartfelt thanks to Anne-Marie for including Ó Bhéal in her transatlantic tour. You can listen to Anne-Marie’s reading here.

    Thanks also to Bernadette Gallagher for her excellent work as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Fiona Smith, Jackie Shortland, Seamus Harrington, Bernadette Gallagher, Matthew Moynihan, Rishtí Mac Piarais, Michelle Delea, Ray Hanrahan, Patricia Walsh, Mary O’Connell, Terry Doyle, Jamie Lawton, Philip Spillane and Michael Ray.

    Jim First-Timer won this week’s five word challenge. Congratulations Jim!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    09/6/18; 4:10 pm
  33. 33
    pc Said: @10:47 am 

    Open-mic night – 27th August 2018

    Our very warm thanks to Scots poet Meg Bateman and Kerry-based Paddy Bushe for their fantastic readings on Monday, for one of two Colmcille-funded events in 2018, each pairing Irish language poets with Scots-gallic language poets. You can listen to Meg’s reading here and to Paddy’s reading here.

    Our thanks also to Julie Field for her magic touch as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Philip Spillane, Teresa Honan, Jac Shortland, Jamie Lawton, Patricia Walsh, Charles Clarke, Richie Pierce, Niall Herriott, Benjamins Burns, Shaunna Lee Lynch, Mags Creedon and Jenny Lawton.

    Shaunna Lee Lynch won this week’s five word challenge. Nice one Shaunna!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    09/3/18; 10:47 am
  34. 34
    pc Said: @10:41 am 

    Open-mic night – 20th August 2018

    We’re very grateful to Eriko Tsugawa-Madden and Matthew Geden for their superb readings on Monday, especially programmed for our annual Heritage Week event, and for this year’s EYCH ‘Make a Conneciton’ heritage series. A number of their poems will be available on video soon, on our youtube channel. You can listen to Eriko’s reading here and to Matthew’s reading here.

    Thanks also to Stan Notte for his to class work as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Matt Jones, Jac Shortland, Charles Clarke, Mary O’Connell, Teresa Honan, Carmen Palomino, Patricia Walsh, Cédric Bikond, Ray Hanrahan, Cliff Wedgbury, Alice Karveli, Phillip Spillane, Jacqueline Moreira and Stan Notte.

    Matt Jones won this week’s five word challenge. Congratulations Matt!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    09/3/18; 10:41 am
  35. 35
    pc Said: @9:20 am 

    Open-mic night – 13th August 2018

    We’re very grateful to David Butler for his excellent reading on Monday, to a full house up in the Hayloft. Despite the unexpected construction work noise filtering in though the windows, David managed to speak above it and his superb poems did the rest. You can listen to David’s reading here.

    Our thanks to Philip Spillane for his professional touch as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Alexander Lehane, Linda Ibbotson, Mary O’Connell, Jac Shortland, Benjamin Burns, Rishtí Mac Piarais, Carmen Palomino, Patricia Walsh, Jamie Lawton, Mags Creedon, Jim Crickard, Niamh Twomey and Alice.

    Benjamin Burns won this week’s five word challenge. Fair plé Ben!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    08/14/18; 9:20 am
  36. 36
    pc Said: @8:27 am 

    Open-mic night – 6th August 2018

    A very warm Cork thanks to our excellent guest poets Jane Commane and Peter Raynard, for representing Coventry in this year’s twin cities exchange. Both poets gave powerful, well-crafted readings to an appreciative and full Hayloft audience. You can listen to Jane’s reading here and to Peter’s reading here.

    Our thanks also go to Deputy Lord Mayor Cllr. Fergal Dennehy, who welcomed the Coventry poets and praised the continuing work done for our twin city exchange. You can listen to the Deputy Lord Mayor’s welcome here.

    Thanks to Rosie O’Regan for her fine job as compère, and to all on the open-mic, Nick Kennedy, Philip Spillane, Edward O’Dwyer, Jac Shortland, Stephen Roche, Charles Clarke, Patricia Walsh, Jamie Lawton, Silvia de la Fuente, Julie Goo, Ray Hanrahan, Mags Creedon, Stanley Notte, Mel White and Christy Parker.

    Mel White won this week’s five word challenge. Nice one Mel!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    08/9/18; 8:27 am
  37. 37
    pc Said: @3:46 pm 

    Open-mic night – 30th July 2018

    Our very warm thanks to Mary Dorcey for her fantastic reading on Monday for Cork Pride, to a packed Hayloft and highly appreciative audience. You can listen to Mary’s reading here.

    Thanks to Julie Field for her superb work as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Peter Kennedy, Julie Goo, Pat O’Connor, Teresa Honan, Jac Shortland, Charles Clarke, Mary O’Connell, Billy Ramsell, Patricia Walsh, Carmen Palomino, Philip Spillane, Leon Gaynor, Benjamin Burns, Patrick Naughton, Shaunna Lee Lynch, Cédric Bikond and Jim Crickard.

    Jac Shortland won this week’s five word challenge. Well done Jac!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    07/31/18; 3:46 pm
  38. 38
    pc Said: @1:18 pm 

    Open-mic night – 23rd July 2018

    Our special thanks to Santa Barbara poets laureate David Starkey, Paul Willis and Chryss Yost for venturing down to Cork during their Irish sojourn. A superb trio of readings from three very well versed poets. You can listen to David’s reading here, to Paul’s reading here and to Chryss’s reading here.

    Thanks to Benjamin Burns for his fine work as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Charles Clarke, Carmen Palomino, Shane Collins, Mary O’Connell, Orla Daly, Patricia Walsh, Philip Spillane, Ray Hanrahan, John Tangney, George Yatchisin, Shaunna Lee Lynch, Mags Creedon and Jim Crickard.

    Bernadette Gallagher won this week’s five word challenge. Well done Bernadette!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    07/24/18; 1:18 pm
  39. 39
    pc Said: @11:00 am 

    Open-mic night – 16th July 2018

    Our warm thanks to Leah Umansky for her superb reading on Monday. Thoroughly enjoyed by one and all! You can listen to Leah’s reading here.

    Thanks to Rab Urquhart for keeping things steady at the helm, and to all on the open-mic, Orla Daly, Charles Clarke, Pauline, Jac Shortland, Megan Cronin, Patricia Walsh, Ana Špehar, Jim Crickard, Philip Spillane, Mags Creedon, Stanley Notte and Fergus Costello.

    Orla Daly won this week’s five word challenge. Nice job Orla!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    07/17/18; 11:00 am
  40. 40
    pc Said: @1:05 pm 

    Open-mic night – 9th July 2018

    Our very warm thanks to Nyaradzo Masunda and Eva Bourke for their magnificant readings on Monday, for the second event in our ‘Make a Connection’ series, made possible by the Heritage Council. You can listen to Nyaradzo’s reading here and to Eva’s reading here. Videos will be made available shortly …

    Thanks to Shaunna-Lee Lynch for her fine touch as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Stan Notte, Jo Johnston, Marcel Kroener, Megan Cronin, Philip Spillane, Patricia Walsh, Charles Clarke, Mary O’Connell, Cliff Wedgbury and Jim Crickard.

    Maria Wojdylo won this week’s five word challenge. Congrats Maria!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    07/10/18; 1:05 pm
  41. 41
    pc Said: @11:36 am 

    Open-mic night – 2nd July 2018

    Our warm thanks to Anne Casey and Nathanael O’Reilly for their excellent readings on Monday, to a full and delighted summer audience. You can listen to Nathanael’s reading here and to Anne’s reading here.

    Thanks to all on the open-mic, Anne Bevan, Tricia Jenkins, Charles Clarke, Julie Aldridge, Rosaleen Crowley, Jac Shortland, Cédric Bikond, Mary O’Connell, Patricia Walsh, Niall Herriott, Kevin Loughnane, Rosie O’Regan, Philip Spillane, Jan O’Loughlin and Jim Crickard.

    Bernadette Gallagher won this week’s five word challenge. Well done Bernadette!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    07/9/18; 11:36 am
  42. 42
    pc Said: @2:47 pm 

    Open-mic night – 25th June 2018

    A very special thanks to Cork poet Greg Delanty for his excellent reading on Monday during his visit home. You can listen to Greg’s reading right here.

    Big thanks to Stanley Notte for running the night, and to all on the open-mic, Brooke Busse, Mummy Harmony, Jillian Thomas, Megan Cronin, Ray Hanrahan, Patricia Walsh, Brad O’Driscoll, Gerry Murphy, Ann Dalton, Charles Clarke, Daw Harding, Chris Harlos and Mags Creedon.

    Ann Dalton won this week’s five word challenge. Congratulations Ann!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    07/2/18; 2:47 pm
  43. 43
    pc Said: @1:06 pm 

    Open-mic night – 18th June 2018

    Our warm thanks to our superb poets on Monday, Nithy Kasa and Ciara Ní É. An absolute cracker of a night with powerful performances from both poets captivating and thrilling the audience. It was a nice full house for the first Heritage Council EYCH event of the year in our ‘Make a Connection’ series. You can listen to Nithy’s reading here and to Ciara’s performance here.

    You can also watch seven videos of Nithy and Ciara’s performances here.

    Thanks also to Michelle Delea for compèring the evening in fine style, and to all on the open-mic, Renée Lusher, Julie Aldridge, Jac Shortland, Kieran Raftery, Patricia Walsh, Philip Spillane, Roshni Beeharry, Charles Clarke, Jim Crickard, Ana Špehar, Benjamin Burns, Eric Kavanagh, Ciarán MacArtain and Mags Creedon.

    Jim Crickard won this week’s five word challenge. Well done Jim!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    06/19/18; 1:06 pm
  44. 44
    pc Said: @8:49 am 

    Open-mic night – 11th June 2018

    Our heartfelt thanks to Oregon poet Carlos Reyes, who has been partly living in Ireland since the early 70’s, for his very fine reading on Monday from his tenth collection of poetry Along the Flaggy Shore, Poems from West Clare, hot off the press from Salmon Poetry. You can listen to Carlos’s reading here.

    Thanks to Rosie O’Regan for keeping the house in good order, and to all in the open-mic, Megan Cronin, Jac Shortland, Joseph Wheeler, Jamie Lawton, Mary O’Connell, Patricia Walsh, Mags Creedon, Michelle Delea, Benjamin Burns, Stan Notte, Philip Spillane and Ciarán MacArtain.

    Ciarán MacArtain won this week’s five word challenge. Nice job Ciarán!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    06/12/18; 8:49 am
  45. 45
    pc Said: @3:24 pm 

    Open-mic night – 4th June 2018

    We had an excellent night all round for our first Cork Harbour Festival event, from the five word challenge to Daniel Wade’s fascinating reading about the sea and other poems, followed by a superb open-mic. Our very warm thanks to Daniel for coming down from Dublin. You can listen to Daniel’s reading here.

    Thanks to Bernadette Gallagher for her professional and light touch as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Rosie O’Regan, Charles Clarke, Molly Garvey, Stephen James Smith, Patricia Walsh, Jamie Lawton, Cédric Bikond, Mary O’Connell, Aoife Maher, Gerry Murphy, Philip Spillane, Jim Crickard and Ciarán MacArtain.

    Molly Garvey won this week’s five word challenge. Congrats Molly!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    06/9/18; 3:24 pm
  46. 46
    pc Said: @10:01 am 

    Open-mic night – 28th May 2018

    Our warm thanks to Galway poet Liz Quirke for a beautiful reading on Monday of her succinct and moving poems, mostly from her début collection The Road, Slowly – hot off the press from Salmon Poetry, to a thrilled summer audience and packed house. You can listen to Liz’s reading here.

    Thanks also to Sue Cosgrave for her deft touch as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Ceatí Ní Bheildiúin, Brendan Mulcahy, Mary O’Connell, Seamus Harrington, Joe Sweeney, Benjamin Burns, Patricia Walsh, Elisa, Philip Spillane, Cédric Bikond, Mags Creedon, Alannah Matthews, Ciarán MacArtain and Conor McManus.

    Benjamin Burns won this week’s five word challenge. Congrats Ben!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    05/29/18; 10:01 am
  47. 47
    pc Said: @10:03 am 

    Open-mic night – 21st May 2018

    Our very special thanks to Rob Barratt for visiting us on Monday all the way from Cornwall and for his rivetting performance, which had everyone in the house glued to their seats. You can listen to Rob’s performance here.

    Thanks also to emcee Benjamin Burns for keeping the house in good order, and to all on the open-mic, Jac Shortland, Seamus Harrington, Jim Crickard, Mary O’Connell, Patricia Walsh, Philip Spillane, Charles Clarke, Ciarán MacArtain and Shaunna Lee Lynch.

    Jackie Shortland won this week’s five word challenge. Well done Jac!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    05/28/18; 10:03 am
  48. 48
    pc Said: @12:50 pm 

    Open-mic night – 14th May 2018

    A very warm thanks to Thomas Dillon Redshaw for a superb reading on Monday, to a delighted and comfortably full Hayloft. You can listen to Thomas’ reading here.

    Thanks also to Bernadette McCarthy for her good humour and fine touch as emcee, and to all on the open-mic, Benjamin Burns, Julie Aldridge, Janek Dubowski, Maria Gillen, Suzanna O’Mahoney, Cédric Bikond, Mags Creedon, Ray Hanrahan, Patricia Walsh, Kieran Raftery, Mary O’Connell, Seán Crowley, Philip Spillane, Bernadette McCarthy and Ciarán MacArtain.

    Ciarán MacArtain won this week’s five word challenge. Nice one Ciarán!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    05/19/18; 12:50 pm
  49. 49
    pc Said: @1:15 pm 

    Open-mic night – 7th May 2018

    We’re very grateful to Seán Lysaght for coming down from Mayo to give a brilliant reading on Monday, to a somewhat Ed Sheeran-diminished, bank holiday audience. So much quieter than usual for a change with just over 20 in the house, but a superb five-word challenge, open-mic and reading by Seán. You can listen to Seán’s reading here.

    Thanks to Rab Urquhart for keeping the helm steady, and to all on the open-mic, Billy County House, Charles Clarke, Jac Shortland, Mary O’Connell, Philip Spillane, Patricia Walsh, Brian Crotty, Fergus Costello, Elisa, Kieran Raftery and Stanley Notte.

    Stan Notte won this week’s five word challenge. Well done Stan!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    05/12/18; 1:15 pm
  50. 50
    pc Said: @2:23 pm 

    Open-mic night – 30th April 2018

    Our very warm thanks to Cork-born Ita O’Donovan for venturing down from west Connemara on Monday. Ita gave a superb reading from her new collection, which you can listen to here.

    Thanks also to Philip Spillane for his steady hand at the helm, and to all on the open-mic, Ben Shields, Conor McManus, Robyn Rowland, Jac Shortland, Ray Hanrahan, Mary O’Connell, Patricia Walsh, Mags Creedon, Charles Clarke, Ciarán MacArtain and Rab Urquhart.

    Jac Shortland won this week’s five word challenge. Well done Jac!

    The open-mic mp3 is here.


    05/7/18; 2:23 pm

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