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Reposted by Kevin MacAlan

waterford rhyme @waterfordrhyme.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Every #Wednesday we'll share a #waterford. Respond with your own (4 lines; 8, 4, 4, 8 syllables; ABBA rhyming scheme). These are slices of feel-good art so keep them positive! #waterfordrhyme #poetrysky #poetry #poetrycommunity #PoetsOnBluesky #skypoets #writingcommunity #spéirghorm #micropoetry

Image of a waterford printed in black on a white brick background.

Gluais Dán by Bernadette Gallagher

Bhí mé ag siúl síos an cosán
mé ag smaoineadh
ar dán caoineadh.
Ansin chuala mé ceol canrán.

This week's waterford is a winner of the 2026 annual waterford competition, as chosen by Molly Twomey. It appears in "Duanaire - collected waterfords", the world's first poetry collection of waterfords which is edited by Kevin MacAlan, and features over 300 poems written by more than 90 poets from all over the globe. Copies of the anthology are available now: waterfordrhyme.com/#buyduanaire

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Reposted by Kevin MacAlan

West Waterford Arts Group @westwaterfordag.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Beyond proud that our very own @kevinmacalan.bsky.social has been invited to read at #DublinBookFestival this year. Well done Kevin!

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Kevin MacAlan @kevinmacalan.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Reading a Bluesky post by @mollytwomey.bsky.social claiming befuddlement and I have no idea what she is saying to me but I like it.

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Kevin MacAlan @kevinmacalan.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

Looks grand. Every home should have one.

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Kevin MacAlan @kevinmacalan.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

We filled the room! Thank you everybody for your support. The place was buzzing. Never seen the venue so full (we spilled into the adjoining annex). And thank you @mollytwomey.bsky.social for bringing a degree of professionalism to the proceedings. #poetry #writingcommunity #micropoetry #waterford

The photo shows a crowded room at Waterford Gallery of Art where people have gathered to enjoy poetry.

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Kevin MacAlan @kevinmacalan.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

David, thank you for making the journey. It was certainly a pleasure to meet you. Stay poetic!

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Kevin MacAlan @kevinmacalan.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

I’m staggered to find myself on Poetry Ireland’s ‘Introductions’ programme. Staggered, delighted, excited, and somewhat slightly dazed. I’m looking forward to the challenge and the company. Thanks to all involved. www.poetryireland.ie/news-events/...

poetryireland.ie

Announcing the Introductions / Céadlínte Class of 2026! | Poetry Ireland

We are absolutely delighted to announce the fifteen poets who have been selected for our Introductions / Céadlínte Programme 2026!

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Kevin MacAlan @kevinmacalan.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

There is a pre-order button now live on waterfordrhyme.com/#anthology for deliveries (when we have books) to addresses in Ireland.

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Kevin MacAlan @kevinmacalan.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Very apt. All the waterford competition winners are going to be published in the Dungarvan Leader next week.

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Reposted by Kevin MacAlan

Mrs Vicky Day @mrsvickyday.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Well done Alan and Kevin. You’re like the dynamic [arts] duo of West Waterford! #kapow #dynamicduo

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Kevin MacAlan @kevinmacalan.bsky.social · 14/08/2026

I’m very pleased to be making an appearance in The Martello Journal’s 8th edition. Coincidentally, once again alongside artwork from @allgumsblazing.bsky.social A short story from me this time. Many thanks to the editors Úna & Jack.

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Kevin MacAlan @kevinmacalan.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

This waterford from Mr Hallinan can be found in Duanaire, along with over 300 others.

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Kevin MacAlan @kevinmacalan.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Coming Soon: From West Waterford Press. Featuring over 300 waterfords penned by more than ninety poets from all over the globe. Thrilling!

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Kevin MacAlan @kevinmacalan.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

There will very soon be news of epic proportions about the publication of the first ever anthology of waterfords - over 300 poems from more than 90 poets from all around the world. The anthology is called “Duanaire” - look out for it.

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Kevin MacAlan @kevinmacalan.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

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Kevin MacAlan @kevinmacalan.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

@shivpotter.bsky.social & @joycebwriter.bsky.social - I know you’re disappointed to not make the waterfordrhyme longlist, but I’ve good news - you’re both in the anthology! It will feature 92 poets & 320 waterfords. We’ve a battle to be ready for the launch but go to waterfordrhyme.com for updates.

waterfordrhyme.com

Waterfordrhyme

Waterford poetry format and poetry competition

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Kevin MacAlan @kevinmacalan.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Congratulations to everybody on that list - it’s no mean feat to make the top 40 from hundreds of entries. Find the list here: waterfordrhyme.com/#winners2026 #Poetry #writingcommunity #PoetryCommunity #Poets #Writing #PoetryCompetition #PoetryIsNotDead #MicroPoetry #waterford

waterfordrhyme.com

Waterfordrhyme

Waterford poetry format and poetry competition

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Reposted by Kevin MacAlan

waterford rhyme @waterfordrhyme.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Image of a waterford printed in black on a white brick background.

The Three Sisters by Hilary Healy

The River Suir, and land and lea,
of Munster sing
till sisters bring
three voices to the Mother Sea.

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Kevin MacAlan @kevinmacalan.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Mr Butler Kyle works for WLR, reading the news, airing your views, he’s a radio superstar!

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Kevin MacAlan @kevinmacalan.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

I am compiling an anthology of waterfords (waterfordrhyme.com) which will be published this August. If you want to be in this historic book, submit now to the competition. Each entry will be considered for the anthology. #Poetry #writingcommunity #Poets #PoetryPrompt #CallForSubmissions #MicroPoetry

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Kevin MacAlan @kevinmacalan.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Submissions close midnight on the 19th. Every entry this year is not only considered for the prizes, but also for an anthology published by West Waterford Press. You can be published even if you don’t win! Now’s the time to enter. #writingcommunity #PoetryCommunity #CallForSubmissions #ContestAlert

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Alan Murphy @allgumsblazing.bsky.social · 13/06/2026

There is one week left to enter this year's Waterford Competition, judged by acclaimed poet @mollytwomey.bsky.social. The waterford is a new four line poetry form, invented by @kevinmacalan.bsky.social. Why not have a go? They're fun to write.

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Kevin MacAlan @kevinmacalan.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Ahah! I made the Fish Poetry Prize short list 🐟🐠🐡 - congratulations to the winners, that’s a whale of an achievement (see what I did there?). Yes, I know a whale isn’t a fish 🙄. Anyway, it’s at least a marlin of an achievement, or a stingray - a whale shark, maybe? It’s huge I tell ya, huge.

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Reposted by Kevin MacAlan

waterford rhyme @waterfordrhyme.bsky.social · 11/06/2026

💥 GET YOUR ENTRIES IN NOW! 💥 The #thirdannualwaterfordcompetition closes 19 June. For full details, examples & entry form visit: waterfordrhyme.com #writingcommunity #poetsofbsky #poetrysky #PoetsOnBluesky #skypoets #poetrycommunity #poetrycompetition #waterford #waterfordrhyme #micropoetry

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Kevin MacAlan @kevinmacalan.bsky.social · 07/06/2026

It’s hard to believe, but there’s just two weeks left to enter the biggest, third, and best waterford competition. See: waterfordrhyme.com #Poetry #writingcommunity #PoetryCommunity #Poets #Writing #PoetryCompetition #WritingContest #CallForSubmissions #ContestAlert #PoetryIsNotDead #MicroPoetry

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Kevin MacAlan @kevinmacalan.bsky.social · 28/05/2026

Thrilled to see my name on this list.

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waterford rhyme @waterfordrhyme.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

A lovely article in this week's Dungarvan Leader about this year's #annualwaterfordcompetition. Go to waterfordrhyme.com for full details and the entry form. There's a cash prize for the winner! Entries close 19 June. Get waterfording!

Article from Dungarvan Leader newspaper:
ANNOUNCING THE THIRD ANNUAL WATERFORD COMPETITION – BIGGER AND BETTER THAN EVER!
We’re once again delighted to have the support of the Dungarvan Leader to promote the return of the annual waterford competition. Originally, Co Waterford poet Kevin MacAlan introduced this poetry format because he felt the limerick had had its way long enough. It was time for some healthy inter-county rivalry! But in a very short time, the waterford has established itself in the poetry arena as having artistic qualities beyond the irreverent ditties that are the majority of limericks. Comparisons with the limerick have been surpassed by comparisons with the haiku. The sincerity and positivity of a waterford, albeit very concise, give it a gravitas the limerick lacks.
A waterford has only four lines. It has a distinct rhythm having a strict 8, 4, 4, 8, syllable count. The first line must rhyme with the fourth, and the second with the third. Think of the waterford as a word caricature, a thumbnail character sketch in four lines about people or places, art or philosophy. Another important distinction between the limerick and the waterford, is that the waterford celebrates its subject; it’s a positive commentary.
The annual waterford competition is open to everyone 18 and over.
This year’s competition is bigger and better than ever. We have a special guest judge: the outstanding poet Molly Twomey. In August the 10 winning waterfords selected by Molly will be celebrated at a gala event hosted in the Waterford Gallery of Art. And this year there’s a cash prize of €100 for the overall winner.
The competition is open for entries from 9 May to 19 June. For further information, examples of waterfords, and the online entry form, go to the website: waterfordrhyme.com

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Kevin MacAlan @kevinmacalan.bsky.social · 22/05/2026

I don’t mean to be controversial, but this *isn’t* a waterford! There are too few syllables in the 1st line, and too many in the 3rd - it must be 8,4,4,8 - that’s the challenge. This would be disqualified from the competition, so always double check. #PoetryCommunity #ContestAlert #MicroPoetry

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Reposted by Kevin MacAlan

waterford rhyme @waterfordrhyme.bsky.social · 13/05/2026

Every #Wednesday we'll share a #waterford. Respond with your own (4 lines; 8, 4, 4, 8 syllables; ABBA rhyming scheme). These are slices of feel-good art so keep them positive! #waterfordrhyme #poetrysky #poetry #irishhaiku #poetrycommunity #PoetsOnBluesky #skypoets #writingcommunity #spéirghorm

Image of a waterford printed in black on a white brick background.

A Crough Wood waterford by Joshua Dyson

Shaded river bank of Crough Wood.
Water gurgling.
Squirrel climbing.
Dogs would stay all day, if they could.

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Martina Dalton @martinadalton.bsky.social · 11/05/2026

And it is launched! 🌕 🌊 Delighted to hold ‘Midnight at the Saltmarsh’ in my hand. 💫✨ @thegallerypress.bsky.social

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Kevin MacAlan @kevinmacalan.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

And it’s open! Write a waterford, submit it at waterfordrhyme.com & maybe win €100. Simples. I can leave you all in peace now 😏 #Poetry #writingcommunity #PoetryCommunity #Poets #Writing #PoetryCompetition #PoetryPrompt #WritingContest #CallForSubmissions #ContestAlert #PoetryIsNotDead #MicroPoetry

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Kevin MacAlan @kevinmacalan.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Delighted to have a poem in the upcoming issue of The Martello. It’s just ten words long… you see, size isn’t everything. #Poetry #writingcommunity #PoetryCommunity #Poets #Writing #PoetryIsNotDead #MicroPoetry

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Kevin MacAlan @kevinmacalan.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

And look what came through my door this morning. Midnight at the Saltmarsh by @martinadalton.bsky.social - if the purpose of poetry is to capture emotion, then the last line of Geese is an exemplar. Well done Martina. #Poetry #writingcommunity #PoetryCommunity #Poets #Writing #PoetryIsNotDead

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Kevin MacAlan @kevinmacalan.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

It’s worth saying, that to some, no amount of money is paltry. With this in mind, not wanting the fee to be a barrier to entry, those lovely people at @waterfordrhyme.bsky.social will accept free entry from those who cannot pay. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

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