In late 2019, Catherine Ann Cullen was chosen as Poetry Ireland’s Poet-in-Residence for a two-year position engaging with communities across Dublin’s North Inner City. The Poet-in-Residence programme aims to dismantle the barriers to poetry, believing that the creative energy sparked by first-hand encounters with poetry can trigger an appreciation of language that lasts a lifetime. Despite the pandemic, Catherine Ann forged ahead with her plans as Poet-in-Residence, adapting to meet the needs of participants. On the first day of lockdown, March 13th, 2020, Catherine Ann Cullen began a daily #PoetryPrompt via Twitter and Facebook. To date, there have been over 2,500 poems written in response. Working closely with the Poetry Ireland Education Team, Catherine Ann also forged solid relationships with schools across Dublin throughout her residency.

The collaborative model of the partnership with the Adrian Brinkerhoff Foundation ensured a meaningful focus from both partners to support artists and promote contemporary practice. Director Liz Kelly explains, ‘Our partnership has greatly assisted Poetry Ireland in strengthening its position as an important part of the cultural infrastructure, most notably engaging underserved communities in north inner-city Dublin, and engaging marginalised artists on a regional, national, and international level.’

For Awards judge Tony Lawless, Head of Strategy Europe for Canada Life (Irish Life), this collaboration stood out because of its community impact. ‘Poetry is sometimes seen as inaccessible, but despite the pandemic (or perhaps because of our need to connect during it), Catherine Ann managed to engage over 90,000 people across all segments of Ireland and encouraged them to flex their creative muscles and get out of the day to day if even for a while. A great achievement, with a positive impact, at an important time for us all,’ he says.