Writing Competition: The Gregory O'Donoghue International Poetry Competition

Gregory O’Donoghue International Poetry Competition

Open for entries

1 September – 30 November

Results posted in February
Most recent results here

Line limit: 40
Closing date: 30th November (midnight)

Entry fee: €7 per poem

The competition is open to original, unpublished and unbroadcast poems in the English language of 40 lines or fewer. The poem can be on any subject, in any style, by a writer of any nationality, living anywhere in the world. Translated work is not in the scope of this competition. Once entered, no alterations can be made to the submission. Simultaneous submissions are accepted but please notify us immediately should your work be accepted elsewhere.

Prizes
1st Prize €2,000
Featured reading at the Cork International Poetry Festival with four-night hotel stay (if living outside Cork) and full board
Featured on the Southword Poetry Podcast
Publication in Southword

Previous first prize winners may not enter again

2nd Prize €500
Publication in Southword
3rd prize €250
Publication in Southword
ten Runners-Up €50
Publication in Southword

2026 Judge: Shangyang Fang

Email entry

Send to:

godcomp@munsterlit.ie
Subject: GOD entry

Attach the poem(s) for submission, with each poem attached separately (Word / RTF/ ODT – we cannot accept PDFs or weblinks such as Google Drive). Please use the title of the poem (or the first few words of the title) as the title of each document. As the competition is judged anonymously, we request that you do not write your name or personal details anywhere on this document.

Attach the cover letter (separate text document (Word / RTF / ODT – we cannot accept PDFs or weblinks such as Google Drive) attached to the same email, not in the body of the email). The cover letter should include:
Your name
Poem title(s)
Email address
Email associated with your PayPal account (if different from your contact email address)
Phone number
Postal address
Image of PayPal receipt or the PayPal transaction ID number
How your heard about the competition
A brief bio (optional)

Make your entry fee payment here.