Prestigious accolade for talented Mayo writer

Irish poet Finola Cahill has been named the winner of the 2025 Cúirt New Writing Prize for Poetry.

The prize is sponsored by Tigh Neachtain, in memory of Lena McGuire, and aims to support emerging talent in poetry, short fiction, and Irish-language writing.

Her poem, “The girl was eaten by moths? Yes,” was described by this year’s judge, poet Victoria Kennefick, as “a rare treasure – original, spiky, accomplished and arresting.”

Held annually in Galway, Cúirt celebrated its 40th anniversary this year, marking four decades of literary innovation.

This year’s festival featured appearances from Donal Ryan, Anne Enright, and fellow Mayo native, Sally Rooney.

As part of her award, Finola took part in the New Writing Showcase, alongside the winner of the prose prize, Laurence Lumsden, and the Irish Language winner, Úna Nic Cárthaigh.

Originally from Ballina, Finola Cahill previously won the 2023 Waterford Poetry Prize and the 2024 Listowel Writers’ Week Single Poem Award.

She is currently working on her debut poetry collection and is a recipient of a Mayo Artist bursary from the Mayo Arts Office.

She is also a founding member of the NCF cultural co-op in Ballina; a collaborative, community-led, non-profit arts space, which is always open to new members.