26th April 2022
Poetry in the Park was launched for Poetry Day Ireland 2021 in three parks around Cork City. The project was inspired during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown to encourage those walking in their local areas to experience poetry by emerging and young poets as well as established award winners in our public spaces.
Supported by Creative Ireland and celebrating Poetry Ireland Day 2022, Poetry in the Park will extend its offering to six parks over the next few weeks, reaching an audience to 3 million people who visit Cork City’s beautiful parks.
Senior Executive Librarian, Patricia Looney said: ‘Cork City Libraries are delighted to see how successful the Poetry in the Park initiative has been in our city’s parks. These installations bring poetry to people in their everyday lives, creating a sense of community, awareness, and celebration of the vibrant literary life of the Cork City. The Marina Park, Gerry O’Sullivan Park and Clogheenmilcon Sanctuary Walkway in Blarney will be included over the next few weeks. This collaboration with Cork City Council Parks and Recreation Operations has been a huge success.’
Stephen Scully, Parks and Recreation Operations at Cork City Council says: ‘We are delighted to support the work of the Cork City Libraries in rolling out further poetry displays to additional Parks this year for the Poetry in the Park initiative. Cork City’s parks attract a very high footfall each year, and this gives our visitors a great opportunity to enjoy poetry in pleasant outdoor settings.’
The new series of works will feature established and award-winning poets, alongside emerging poets, young poets and intercultural voices celebrating the diversity of life and literature in the city. The variety of the work ensures there is a poem out there in one of the city parks that will appeal to everyone.
