Springtime - Poetry Competition for Family Carers

Calling budding poets! Following the success of last year’s poetry competition as part of a partnership involving Caring for Carers, Clare County Library and the Ennis Book Club Festival, a new nationwide Poetry Competition for 2012 has recently been launched. The theme of this year’s competition is Springtime – a theme of renewal and new life that may inspire the many Family Carers around the country to put pen to paper and bring a little cheer to our lives. Poems should be no longer than 3 verses and entries should be submitted by Friday, 17th February 2012 to Brigid Barron, Caring for Carers Ireland, National Office, 2 Carmody Street Business Park, Ennis, Co Clare. Email bbarron@caringforcarers.org

The winner will receive a weekend stay for two in an Ennis Hotel during this year’s Ennis Book Club Festival, which takes place from 2nd-4th March, with a weekend pass to all of the Festival Events. Four runners-up will receive 2 tickets to the Joseph Woods and Paula Meehan poetry event as well as 2 tickets to the Maureen Gaffney reading. Both of these events will take place at the Ennis Book Club Festival on Saturday, 3rd March 2012. Further details on the festival are at www.ennisbookclubfestival.com. Speaking at the launch, Helen Walsh, County Librarian, said ‘the library is delighted to be involved in this poetry competition. I see it as a very worthwhile community project. Caring for Carers carry out invaluable work throughout the country and the library has a particular interest in socially inclusive events such as this’. Brigid Barron, Research & Program Manager with Caring for Carers Ireland, is deeply aware of the significant contribution made by Family Carers. According to Brigid, recognising the role of Family Carers in the home is crucial. ‘This form of care is the foundation of formal health and social care systems. Family Carers are a distinct group who provide care and also, very importantly, require care themselves. We hope they will get involved in this poetry competition and we greatly look forward to receiving their entries.’ For further information contact 065-6866515.