Call for poetry and writing from the people of Cork County for specially commissioned publications

 Cork County Council will create two bespoke publications featuring poetry, thoughts and public recollections around the events of 1921 and how they relate to Cork County and the Ireland that we live in today.

This year marks 100 years of a number of key events in the War of Independence. More than 20 ambushes together with over 30 assassinations and executions took place across Cork County during 1921. 1921 was also the year that witnessed the Truce and the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty.

As part of a series of commemorative projects, Cork County Council has launched a poetry competition for secondary schools within the county. The Council is also seeking written essays from anyone with an interest in this period of history for a publication titled ‘Thoughts of Independence’.

Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Gillian Coughlan highlighted how, “The Truce and the signing of the Treaty one hundred years ago were momentous occasions in Irish history.  It is timely to ask ourselves, is the present reflective of a future that had been dreamed of?  When reflecting on the past we get a better sense of ourselves in the world today, and what tomorrow could look like. 1921 was a significant year in the County of Cork with ambushes in Dripsey, Cúl na Cathrach, The Battle of Crossbarry, and the greatest loss of Republican life at any War of Independence engagement, the Clonmult Ambush. There were house raids, barracks attacks, disappearances, rescues and close to 100 shootings. I hope that students and people of all ages will submit their poems or essays and show that 100 years later, we still remember.”

Chief Executive of Cork County Council, Tim Lucey added, “The War of Independence and Civil War had profound impacts on Irish people, both individually and collectively, not least here in Cork County.  These publications are an opportunity for everyone to share their thoughts on these pivotal moments in our shared history and form part of a series of commemorations that Cork County Council is proud to support. Through the County Cork Commemorations Grant Scheme, close to 30 groups are marking key events and ambushes. There will also be a War of Independence and Civil War Exhibition, a database of centenary memorials within the county, a commemorative oral history project and much more.”

Secondary school students are invited to submit their own poems relating to the War of Independence or the Civil War. Assessed by Cork County Council’s Commemorations Committee, poems will be chosen to feature in a bespoke commemorative poetry publication. Every student who submits a poem will receive a copy of the publication with additional prizes for specially selected entries and the overall secondary school winner.

For the ‘Thoughts of Independence’ publication, the Commemorations Committee is seeking contemporary writings and insights into the events of 100 years ago and what they mean for us today. Historians, heritage societies, academics, students and anyone with an interest in this aspect of Cork’s history is invited to submit an essay. A number of essays will feature in a bespoke publication which will form Book 1 of 2 with the second book undertaken in 2022/23 and focusing on the Civil War. Every person who submits an essay will receive a copy of the publication.

The closing date for receipt of all poems and essays is Friday 29th October and entries can be emailed to commemorations@corkcoco.ie.