The humble mussel is not so humble in Connemara, Co Galway, where a Mussel Festival is held each year, and for the first time in 2016, a poetry competition to support the Festival’s arts and culture content. Prizes are €250 and €100.
Poems, up to 51 lines, must contain a reference to the mussel, but don’t necessarily need to be about this shellfish. Entrants must be over sixteen. The closing date is 13 March. Winners will be announced at the Connemara Mussel Festival, 29 April-1 May in Tullycross, Connemara.