ATU extends Poetry Pillar competition to all TY students in Connaught

THE Atlantic Technological University (ATU) is inviting Transition Year students from across Connaught to participate in its 2025 Poetry Pillar competition, marking a significant expansion of the initiative originally launched in Mayo.

The competition, which has become a platform for young poetic talent, has previously featured high-quality entries published in The Scrimshaw journal - ATU’s internal literary magazine - and Lasmuigh, a digital and print publication celebrating creative works with an ecological focus.

Each year, the Poetry Pillar competition challenges students to engage with an environmental theme through verse. For 2025, the theme is Water, aligning with the start of ATU’s Green Week. Submissions are open until Monday, March 3, 2025, via the dedicated email poetrypillartransition.galwaymayo@atu.ie.

Winners will be revealed on National Poetry Day, April 24, at a special event on the ATU Mayo campus. Prizes of €100, €50 and €25 will be awarded to the top three entries. The winning poem will also join the Poetry Pillar installation in St. Mary’s Courtyard Garden, alongside works like Paddy Walsh’s Percipio.

ATU Mayo Head of Department Dr. Deirdre Garvey said: “Poetry creates that emotional connection and awareness that helps us reflect on our interactions with nature. The Poetry Pillar competition is a great opportunity for young students to engage the hearts and minds of others on these issues.

“Each year the theme explores a different environmental aspect and we are really looking forward to this year’s entries.”

The initiative continues to foster creativity and environmental awareness, making it a standout opportunity for young writers in the region.