UCC Library celebrates World Poetry Day with readings from emerging and established voices

20 Mar 2025

• UCC MA in Creative Writing students and UCC Dramat Society members will present selected poetry works.
• Open to all, the free event will celebrate poetry's impact and honour literary voices. 

UCC Library is set to mark World Poetry Day with a special live poetry reading event featuring students from UCC’s MA in Creative Writing and members of UCC Dramat Society. The event will take place in the Creative Zone on Q Floor in UCC Library at 1pm on Friday, 21 2025.

This celebration of poetry will showcase selected works curated by UCC staff, performed by emerging writers, poets, and dramatists. MA in Creative Writing students, including Nell Korben, Parrish Finn and Niamh Ní Dhea will read powerful works from some of the world's most revered poets. They will be joined by Zosia Barry, Leah Marie Dunphy, Julka Taylor, and Julie Cukier from the UCC Dramat Society who will bring these poems to life.

Dr Liz Quirke, lecturer in Poetry at UCC College of Arts, Celtic Studies, and Social Sciences, said: "World Poetry Day is an opportunity to honour the voices that have shaped literature while also amplifying new and emerging talents. Poetry is both timeless and urgent, speaking to the heart of human experience. At UCC, we are proud to support our students in their poetic journeys while celebrating the great poets who have inspired generations."

David Hackett, Programme and Events Co-Ordinator at UCC Library and MC of the World Poetry Day event, said: “The event is free and open to the public. Whether you have a deep appreciation for poetry or are just beginning to explore it, this is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a poetry reading in a welcoming and engaging setting.”

All are welcome to UCC Library Creative Zone, Ground Floor, UCC Library, on March 21 at 1pm for this celebration of poetry. Learn more about the event on Instagram.

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Creative Writing at UCC

UCC's MA in Creative Writing supports the next generation of writers from Ireland and beyond. Creative Writing students are encouraged to treat writing as a living, evolving practice, from fiction through to poetry and memoir. Students learn and develop their creative practice through a mixture of peer-engagement in workshop environments, support from lecturers and engagements with some of Ireland's leading writings.

Applications are now open September 2025 intake. Learn more.

UCC is ranked in world's top 150 universities for the study of English Language and Literature, according to the latest world subject rankings produced by higher education analysts QS.