ATU extends Poetry Pillar Competition 2025 to all Transition Year students in Connacht

Atlantic Technological University (ATU) is inviting Transition Year students from across Connacht 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, 3 March, 2025, via the dedicated email [email protected]

Winners will be revealed on National Poetry Day, Thursday, 24 April, 2025, 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 says: “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.

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Photos of the Poetry Pillars in St Mary’s Courtyard garden on the ATU Mayo campus.