Tramore poet Martina Dalton to give reading in Waterford

Martina Dalton, a critically acclaimed poet from Tramore, will be the featured poet at the SpeakEasy poetry and open mic event on Friday September 11, at 8pm in Phil Grimes Pub, Waterford City. 

During the evening, Martina will read from her debut poetry collection, Midnight at the Saltmarsh, which was published by Gallery Press last May.

Martina has also been widely published in newspapers and journals, including The Irish Times, Irish Independent, Banshee and Stinging Fly. 

Her poem 'The Wedding Dress' was chosen as Poem of the Year at the Irish Book Awards in 2024.

In 2019 she was selected for the Words Ireland National Mentoring Programme. In 2021 She was shortlisted for the Julian Lennon Prize for Poetry, won third prize in the Red Line Festival Poetry Competition, and second prize in the Waterford Poetry Prize.

SpeakEasy takes place six times a year in Waterford, and at each event, a featured poet or author reads from their collections and takes part in a Q&A session. 

The evening is interspersed with music, which will be provided by uillean piper Kieran Joy at the upcoming event.

Kieran Joy, from Dunmore East, has featured on an album of young pipers called "A New Harvest" and serves on the Board of Directors of Na Píobairí Uilleann, an organisation that promotes the playing, teaching and making of the Uilleann pipes globally.

The event will also feature the popular open mic session, when local writers are invited to share their work. Martina Dalton was a regular participant in this open mic, showing that open mics can be a springboard for literary success.

Entry is €5 on the door, cash only. 

Organisers of the event say that all are welcome to attend.