Rhyme Rag is back, and we are anticipating another year brimming with exceptional work from young people. The Kilkenny Arts Office will be sending poets Alice Bennett and Janis Woodgate into Secondary Schools. Over the course of the workshops the writers will guide students through the art of poetry writing. These workshops will impart essential techniques and skills, enabling students to develop their work and refine their expressive intent.

These workshops aim to nurture a meaningful and lasting engagement with poetry among young people, inspiring them to write and share poems of their own. The Rhyme Rag programme seeks to remove any intimidation surrounding poetry, making the writing process accessible and showing that poetry is an art form open to everyone. Writing poetry can be a deeply personal and rewarding experience, and through Rhyme Rag we strive to create a supportive, enriching space in which all participants can explore their voices and enjoy the creative process.

The quality of work produced by the young people has always been consistently impressive, and the breadth of subject matter is always exciting. This year, we are delighted to announce that Poet Enda Coyle-Greene will be our Rhyme Rag Editor. Her in-depth knowledge of the programme and hands-on work with young participants give her a strong, informed perspective when considering poetry submissions.

Once the poems are selected they will be shared here on the Rhyme Rag website and Instagram account.

This year we are excited to announce that there will also be a printed publication due to be launched in November of selected work from successful submissions from the last three years of Rhyme Rag. We are delighted to welcome back past Rhyme Rag Editor Jessica Traynor to select work for this publication.