This annual award marks Michael Hartnett’s contribution to literature in English and Irish. This year the award was made to a poet writing in English.
This annual award was established by Limerick County Council and is jointly funded by Limerick City and County Council and The Arts Council to mark Michael Hartnett’s contribution to literature in English and Irish. In 2026, the award of €8,000 will be made to the winning poet on the basis of a third or subsequent book of poetry, published in the last two years, i.e. 2024 – 2025.
The Michael Hartnett Annual Poetry Award is awarded in alternate years to books of poetry in the Irish and English language. This year, 2026, the award was made to a poet writing in English. This year’s adjudicators are Gerard Smyth, poet and Aosdána member, and Jo Slade, poet and former Hartnett winner.
The closing date for applications was Friday, 12th June 2026.
The Michael Hartnett Annual Poetry Award will be presented to the winning poet at the opening of Éigse Michael Hartnett on Thursday 1 October 2026 in Newcastle West, Co. Limerick.