Irish Arts Festivals Archive: Strokestown International Poetry Festival

The Strokestown International Poetry Festival was founded in 1999. It takes place annually on the first weekend of May, in Strokestown, Co. Roscommon. The weekend provides a world-renowned forum for excellence in poetry. Strokestown is famous for the large audiences that attend all readings and allied to the welcome, the friendliness and the scenery, the weekend is an unforgettable experience and a thrilling immersion in contemporary poetry.  The festival’s mission is to showcase contemporary poetry, local, national and international, foster the development of emerging writers and consolidate poetry in local cultural life bringing it to the widest possible audience.

Go to www.strokestownpoetryfest.ie 

Read the transcript of an interview with Festival founder members Pat Compton and Shane Lynskey, conducted by David Teevan.

Strokestown was one of the Poetry Towns selected to celebrate poetry in their everyday lives and surroundings, creating communal experiences, and celebrating the pride, strength and diversity of each town. 

In 2021, as part of the Poetry Town initiative, Noelle Lynskey, the Poet Laureate for Strokestown, wrote "Strokestown, My Town"  as a legacy of this festival event. The poem is available on the PoetryTown website. The Poetry Town is an initiative of Poetry Ireland,in partnership with Local Authority Arts Offices.