Waterford's SpeakEasy poetry and open mic events return with award-winning special guest

Tipperary poet Eleanor Hooker is set to be the first guest at SpeakEasy Poetry and Open Mic for 2025, on Friday, February 7, at 8pm in Phil Grimes Pub in Waterford City. 

The featured musician for the event will be keyboardist Eva St Maria.

Eleanor Hooker is the author of four award-winning collections of poetry and a chapbook, a short book of poems. 'Of Ochre and Ash', her third poetry collection with Dedalus Press, was winner of the Michael Hartnett Award 2022. Her poetry has also appeared in prestigious literary journals, such as The Stinging Fly and Winter Papers. 

Eleanor was a founding member of the Dromineer Literary Festival, and was Programme Curator 2004 -2017. As well as being a poet, she's a helm and a press officer for Lough Derg RNLI in Tipperary.

Eva St Maria is a versatile keyboardist and singer-songwriter who blends folk, rock and jazzy sounds. Her first EP, Heartache, Baby! will be released in late 2025. 

Eva previously performed at SpeakEasy under the name Eva Luna.

The SpeakEasy poetry event has been running since 2022 and brings Ireland's top poets and prose writers to Waterford audiences, with the support of the Arts Office, Waterford City and County Council.

There are six SpeakEasy events each year, and each event features both a writer and musician. SpeakEasy also receives generous support from Phil Grimes Pub and the Granville Hotel.

The open mic session is a central part of the SpeakEasy event, and offers local writers the opportunity to read their work before an audience. Writers at all stages in their development are welcome to share a poem or a short piece of prose on the night.

All are welcome to attend SpeakEasy on February 7. Entry is €5 on the door, cash only. You can also follow SpeakEasy Waterford on Facebook.