Poetry Blooms At Powerscourt

Yowsa!

ith a place like Powerscourt, sure, it’s a struggle not to suddenly burst into song.

Or start scribbling down poems of love and devotion to Mother Nature herself.

Which is why those clever clogs at the Powerscourt Estate have their annual Poetry In Bloom, an inspiring initiative backed by the mighty Hollywood heavyweight Patrick Bergin, no less.

Here’s the lowdown…

Powerscourt Estate, home to National Geographic’s third best garden in the world, has opened submissions for their annual nature poetry initiative Poetry in Bloom.

Encouraging people to connect with and be inspired by nature and imagination, the task is to create inspirational stories in the forms of poems or lyrics.

The Poetry in Bloom nature poetry initiative is now in its 5th year and to mark this a selection of poems from the last 4 years will be showcased at the Wall Garden at Powerscourt from July 15th.

Poetry in Bloom will be supported again this year by Patrick Bergin, the award-winning actor, lover of poetry and great supporter of the arts – especially encouraging and supporting poetry and the arts in the young in London, Dublin, and LA.

Sheila Wingfield

This poetry initiative is an invitation to everyone from 7-years-old up to create a poem or write lyrics inspired by nature that they have observed at Powerscourt Gardens and Waterfall, throughout July and August 2024. All submissions are online and will automatically be entered into an open prize draw to win a variety of amazing prizes.

The initiative is also marking the life of the Poetess of Powerscourt, Shelia Wingfield, who was a gifted poet and a Viscountess of Powerscourt. She crossed paths, and was a contemporary of, some of the greatest literary figures of early twentieth century Ireland, including W.B Yeats. Her writing and poetry clearly emanate from her love for nature, with many of her poems inspired by her surrounds at Powerscourt Estate.

Submissions opened on Friday the 30th June and close on Saturday the 31st of October. During this time every visitor to Powerscourt Gardens is encouraged to immerse themselves in nature.

The first 20 entries who submit a poem or lyrics online will receive a Family Day pass to Powerscourt Gardens. To help visitors find inspiration, a poetry trail featuring the ancient poem Song of Amergin has been installed in Powerscourt Gardens.

The overall winner selected in the open-prize draw will be announced at the beginning of October and will receive a year’s annual family membership to Powerscourt Estate and a gift card worth €250. The three runners up will receive annual membership to Powerscourt Estate.

Actor Patrick Bergin will also select one of the entries to feature in a nature poetry film to close the initiative.

All submissions should be sent to [email protected] with Poetry In Bloom Submission in the subject line.