The Irish Arts Center, New York presents the 16th annual Poetry Fest from 5 -7 December 2025.
Curated by Vona Groarke, writers from Ireland, Northern Ireland, and North America gather for a weekend of readings and conversations that opens the 16th annual Poetry Fest, beginning with Friday evening’s beloved Favorite Irish Poems launch, a tribute to Irish poetry through the ages.
8:00pm, Friday 5 December Favorite Irish Poems
Favorite Irish Poems is the traditional opening night event of our annual PoetryFest, to which we invite festival poets and special guests to share their most-loved verses by Irish writers, followed by a reception in the Devlin Café.
Saturday 6 December Schedule
Free readings and conversations with festival poets
2:00pm Scott McKendry and m.s. Red Cherries
3:30pm In Conversation: Poetry Beyond Its Margins (Philosophy / Theology)
Pádraig Ó Tuama and Christian Wiman, with Vona Groarke
5:00pm Alan Gillis and Dorothea Lasky
Sunday 7 December Schedule Free readings and conversations with festival poets
1.00pm Grace Wilentz and Jenny Xie
2:30pm Desert Island Poems: Paul Muldoon and Rita Dove with Vona Groarke
— Each poet chooses the five poems they would bring to a desert island with them.
4.00pm Paul Muldoon and Rita Dove
