Lots in store for Poetry Day 2026 in Waterford city
Poetry Day takes place in Waterford on Thursday, May 28, with events taking place across the city.
This year's event is presented by The Waxed Lemon, in association with Waterford City and County Council and Wayne Power
The theme of Poetry Day this year is, 'Home' and local literary journal, 'The Waxed Lemon', is bringing it all back home with a wealth of local talent.
Events begin at 1pm, in the Waterford Gallery of Art with 'The Sound of Poetry', where local poets and musicians will perform famous poems and the songs they inspired.
Poetry Day continues with a writing workshop with Lani O'Hanlon in the Waterford Gallery of Art at 2pm, a reading by Mary Howlett at the Bealtaine event in Carrickpherish Library at 6pm and an open mic in Tully's bar at 7pm.
The day culminates with two flagship events.
Firstly, 'Home: A Poetry Reading', takes place at GOMA Gallery at 6.30pm featuring three of Waterford's finest poets: Lani O'Hanlon, Mark Roper, and Clíodhna Bhreathnach.
The second flagship event, 'Home at Christchurch', will be an evening of poetry and music in Christchurch Cathedral at 8pm, curated and presented by Wayne Power.
Home at Christchurch brings together some of the country’s most exciting literary and musical voices.
Curated and hosted by poet and playwright Wayne Power, the event promises an evening centred on the idea of home, belonging, memory and community through poetry, performance and song.
The line-up features acclaimed collective The Poetry Kiln, alongside current All-Ireland Slam Champion Eva Mary Lucy, and Waterford poet Darragh O’Dempsey.
Music on the night will be led by the SingForJoy Choir, fresh from their recent appearance on RTÉ’s Nationwide, bringing a powerful musical dimension to the evening inside the atmospheric surroundings of Christchurch.
Presented as a flagship event for Waterford’s Poetry Day Ireland programme, Home at Christchurch aims to close the city’s celebrations with an uplifting and inclusive gathering of voices from across the artistic community.
Wayne Power said: “Home is about connection — the places we come from, the people who shape us, and the stories we carry. Poetry Day Ireland feels like the perfect moment to bring artists and audiences together in Christchurch for something intimate, celebratory and communal.”
Admission to all events across the day is free of charge.
