Michael Morrissey takes top prize with “Homeless” as International Poetry Final comes home to Bansha
A Bansha man has won the 2026 Darby Ryan International Poetry Contest, bringing the top prize home to the village whose rich literary heritage inspired the competition. Michael “Mick” Morrissey, a Bansha native now living in County Laois, was announced as the winner at the final held in Templeneiry Old Church, Bansha, with his powerful composition “Homeless”. It was a particularly fitting result for a competition commemorating Darby Ryan, the renowned poet and bard from Ashgrove near Bansha, who died in 1855 and is buried in the grounds of Templeneiry Church.
The competition was inaugurated in Darby Ryan’s memory by his descendants John and Claire Grogan, who live in the United States. John Grogan, a great-great-great-grandson of Darby Ryan, who was in attendance on the night, was delighted with the response to the competition and the quality and diversity of the poetry submitted. He was particularly impressed by the range of people who took the opportunity to express themselves through poetry, with entries coming from many different backgrounds and circumstances, including an entry from a prisoner in Portlaoise Prison.
Six poets were selected to contest the final, with each having earned their place following the judging of the entries. After the final readings, Michael Morrissey was announced as the overall winner with Homeless. Aidan Michael Casey of Dún Laoghaire took second place, while Fidelma Nugent of Cahir was awarded third place. The other three finalists were Terri O’Mahony of Limerick, Judy Nolan of Tipperary Town and Julie Ryan of Galbally, Co. Limerick, who is originally from Emly.
A Bansha Man Comes Home
For winner Michael Morrissey, the occasion represented a very special homecoming. Born in Bansha in 1956, Michael is a retired member of the Irish Prison Service and holds a BA in Training and Education. His interests have long included storytelling, drama, poetry and creative writing, but it was following his retirement that he began to devote considerably more time to developing his writing. He joined Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board creative writing classes in 2021, attending classes in Mountmellick, Abbeyleix, Portlaoise and Stradbally. In 2023, he completed a Level 6 qualification in Creative Writing with Distinction. Since then, Michael’s stories and poetry have appeared in a number of publications and collections. His work has also been featured at literary and cultural events including the Power of Words Festival in Abbeyleix, Laois Leaves Festival and Spike Island Literary Festival. His book, A Galtee Mountain Boy, brings together short stories and poetry inspired by growing up in the Glen of Aherlow, while he is currently completing a new collection of 50 poems.
Michael’s poetry has also attracted recognition beyond Tipperary and Laois, with his work shortlisted in the Maria Edgeworth and Allingham poetry competitions in 2026. Reflecting on his development as a writer, Michael says it took time to find his own voice. Meeting other writers and sharing experiences proved invaluable, while he particularly acknowledges the inspiration and encouragement of his creative writing tutor Ryan Dunne. Creative writing, Michael says, has made him a sharper and more confident writer and has brought him to a place he could never have anticipated when he first began attending classes. Now, winning an international poetry competition in his native Bansha represents another remarkable chapter in that journey.
Remembering Darby Ryan
The setting for the final gave the occasion an added significance. Darby Ryan is buried in the grounds of Templeneiry Church, meaning that new poetry was being celebrated only a short distance from the resting place of the poet whose memory inspired the competition. The organisers believe the contest is not only an opportunity to preserve the memory and literary legacy of Darby Ryan, but also to encourage contemporary writers to find their own voices and ensure that poetry continues to flourish for future generations.
Valuable Support for Poetry and Song
The organisers expressed their particular appreciation to Tipperary Credit Union for its generous financial support of the Darby Ryan International Poetry Contest. That support played an important role in making the competition and final possible, and demonstrated the Credit Union’s commitment to supporting cultural and community initiatives in Tipperary. The poetry final formed part of a special evening in Templeneiry Old Church and was held in conjunction with the Tipperary International Song of Peace 2026, bringing the written word and music together in a celebration of creativity and peace.
The organisers also acknowledged the generous support of IMRO for the Tipperary International Song of Peace. IMRO’s assistance ensured that the winner and each of the Song of Peace finalists received a cheque in recognition of their achievement and participation in the international final. The support of Tipperary Credit Union and IMRO was warmly acknowledged on the night, with the organisers stressing that backing from organisations such as these is invaluable in enabling cultural events to develop and flourish.
2026 Darby Ryan International Poetry Contest Results
Winner: Michael Morrissey, Bansha / Co. Laois – Homeless
Second: Aidan Michael Casey, Dún Laoghaire – A Question (for Michael O’Leary)
Third: Fidelma Nugent, Cahir – A Lamp Against the Rain
Finalists: Terri O’Mahony, Limerick – Communion Day in Tipperary; Judy Nolan, Tipperary Town – Maybe Peace; and Julie Ryan, Galbally, Co. Limerick – A Neighbour’s Hello.
For Michael Morrissey, there could hardly have been a more appropriate place to receive the honour. A Bansha man, writing in his own distinctive voice, returned home to win a poetry competition commemorating one of Bansha’s best-known poets – in the very place where Darby Ryan has rested for more than 170 years.
Ardgillan Community College student Willard Vintem wins the inaugural School Section
The organisers of the Darby Ryan International Poetry Contest are delighted to announce Willard Vintem, a student at Ardgillan Community College, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin, as the winner of the inaugural School Section of the competition. Willard took the honours with his composition ‘Envision’ and he read his winning poem at the Darby Ryan International Poetry Contest final in Templeneiry Old Church, Bansha.
The introduction of a dedicated School Section marks an important new chapter for the contest, providing young writers with an opportunity to express themselves through poetry and encouraging the next generation to discover the power of the written word.
For Willard, whose family background is Angolan, growing up in Dublin has given him an appreciation of different cultures and traditions. Fluent in both English and Portuguese and currently learning Spanish, he has recently developed a particular interest in narratives, literature and storytelling. An active young man, Willard plays football with his local team and is also involved in his school community. He enjoys reading, with the Divergent and Hunger Games series among his favourites, and says their different perspectives have encouraged him to think more deeply about the world and his surroundings.
Looking towards the future, Willard hopes to pursue a career as either a pharmaceutical scientist or a doctor, inspired by a desire to help others and make a positive difference in the world.
Reflecting on his experiences and his growing interest in writing, Willard said: “Growing up in Dublin, I immersed myself in a buzzing population of different cultures and traditions. Recently, I became drawn to the world of narratives and storytelling. I’m grateful for all the opportunities that have come my way, and I look forward to many more years of growth.”
The Organisers Martin Quinn and John Grogan said they were particularly pleased to see the School Section become part of the Darby Ryan International Poetry Contest and hope to see it go from strength to strength into the future.
