
Launch of the festival student anthology Inclusion


The 2015 student winner Ryan Mangan being presented with his trophy by the 2015 winner of the Irish poetry competition Frances Browne.
Those Footsteps
I could feel the stomping,
the repeated hits and the smacks,
the name calling and tears
splashing down on me.
That girl was hurt inside and out;
those cuts and bruises,
the hate and the doubt.
Pain streaming down her
once happy face.
And as the time passed
from that day to night,
the bully came lurking
for more of his pay,
but the tables had turned.
I hatched my plan
to fix this day.
As this bully approached
I tripped him in his stride
and watched him fall to the ground.
And a great big frown he wore
as finally this girl was free,
thanks to me,
the pavement.
Ryan Mangan
​
The 2015 second prize winner Sarah Hogan being presented with her trophy by the 2015 winner of the International poetry competition Patrick Lodge from Wales.
In Days gone by
In 1972,
people never wore their shoes.
Because
one fine old sunny day
they threw them down the loo.
Then another day,
near Christmas Day
they said,
Let’s go and play,
BUT....
They couldn't
go out to play
because they had no shoes.
So that was
a VERY silly thing to do
In 1972.
Sarah Hogan

Memories
Down this green boreen
that we now stroll along,
we cry with laughter
about the fun times
there once had been.
Playing a game of catch,
splashing in puddles,
stopping for a break
to give Nibbles
the odd scratch.
I really do try
to comfort you,
and as I look up
To the beautiful sky,
I ask why.
I always give you a hug
when ever I see you,
and when I ask you a question,
I always get an answer,
never a shrug.
All of these memories freeze
and they fill our minds,
squeezing it closed.
They just pass us by,
like a quick cold breeze.
Laura Svaza













