Move over limerick, 'the waterford' is the new verse on the block
People are encouraged to submit their 'waterford' before the deadline. Stock image
With entries about to close for the third annual Waterford Competition, we can't help but wonder… what is a waterford?
Deriving it as an alternate variation of the internationally known limerick, author and poet Kevin MacAlan founded what he coined as 'the waterford rhyme' in 2024, during a meeting of the West Waterford Arts group.
He was running a technical writing workshop during which limericks were the topic of conversation.
He happened to ponder how, within Ireland, there is so much inter-county rivalry in sport - what about poetry? “Why not a waterford?” Kevin found himself saying.
Originally publicised locally in 2024, the rhyme gained much of its traction through the accessibility to learn and write a waterford online.
The more recent competitions have led to not only the globalization of this new verse, but also the multilingualization.
“We received hundreds of entries, some from Malaysia, Pakistan, North America, Canada… and in other languages as well, French, Spanish and even as Gaeilge.”
The waterford rhyme is a four-line poem which uses an ABBA rhyme scheme. The first and fourth lines are rhyming, both contain eight syllables, while the second and third are four syllables and once again rhyme with each other.
One distinct difference between these two counties namesake verses is their meaning and intent.
On the official website, a waterford's purpose and content should be 'a word caricature, a thumbnail character sketch in four lines'.
This can be used to illustrate a poetic interpretation of places, people, objects and more.
Kevin found it rather difficult when creating the verse to find a format that was not already taken by a different verse.
While similar in namesake to the limerick, it is closely akin to the Japanese Haiku; “the waterford has emotional depth,” Kevin explained.
The limerick and haiku are both over 800 years old, and while the waterford is still young, it will hopefully be around for at least another 798 years.
While entries close soon, Friday, June 19, there is still time to write and submit your waterford for consideration.
Judging this year's competition is local award-winning writer, Molly Twomey, and Kevin is thrilled with her involvement.
“I cannot believe the credibility brought to the rhyme by her presence as our judge this year," he said.
If selected, winner is more than simply the honour and glory. All shortlisted entries will receive a framed copy of their verse.
The competition's overall winner will receive a prize sum of €100.
Whether you win or lose, your entry will be considered for a historic publication, the first anthology of waterfords, which will be published with West Waterford Press and launched in the Waterford Gallery of Art later this summer, alongside the Waterford Competition prize-giving.
So what are you waiting for? Submit your waterford today! All the details can be found online at waterfordrhyme.com
