Sinéad Morrissey – Belfast’s first Poet Laureate!

We are delighted to congratulate Sinéad on her recent appointment as Belfast’s first poet Laureate.

In the role as Poet Laureate, Sinéad will engage the people of Belfast through poetry, using community outreach to art groups, language organisations and minority groups.  She has also been commissioned to produce a series of poems about Belfast and the year as the city’s Poet that explores the theme ‘My City’ / ‘Mo Chathair Féin’.

Speaking about her appointment Sinéad said: “Belfast is a city with an extraordinary literary tradition, especially in relation to poetry. I am therefore hugely honoured to be appointed Belfast’s first Poet Laureate, and am excited to celebrate and explore further both the city and poetry in the year ahead.”

Roisín McDonough, Chief Executive, at the Arts Council commented, “The Arts Council is delighted that the Lord Mayor has chosen Sinéad Morrissey as Belfast’s first Poet Laureate.  Sinéad has been an outstanding voice in contemporary poetry for 15 years, winning multiple prestigious awards, including a Major Individual Artist award from the Arts Council and she is currently shortlisted for the 2013 Forward Prize for Poetry. In her role as Belfast Poet Laureate, Sinéad will bring poetry to all the people of Belfast, reflecting the creativity of women and their contribution to the historical and contemporary life and character of the city.”

You can watch (or rewatch!) John Halpin’s video Driving Alone on a Snowy Evening, which is paired with Sinéad’s poem ‘Driving Alone on a Snowy Evening (After Frost)’ here.