A special launch event was held on Thursday at the historic Templeneiry Old Church, Bansha, to officially announce two major international cultural events for 2026 in the Premier County – the Darby Ryan International Poetry Contest 2026 and the Tipperary International Song of Peace Contest.
The launch was jointly performed by John Grogan, a great, great, great, grandson of the renowned poet Darby Ryan, and Martin Quinn, honorary secretary of the Tipperary Peace Convention.
John Grogan, Bansha and USA, and Martin Quinn, announcing details of the Darby Ryan Poetry Contest and Song of Peace Contest.
Both competitions are now open for entries and organisers are extending a warm invitation to people across Ireland and around the world to participate.
The finals of both events will be held together in what promises to be a wonderful evening of music, poetry, reflection and celebration on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at 7pm, at Templeneiry Old Church, Bansha, County Tipperary
The Darby Ryan International Poetry Contest honours the memory and literary legacy of Darby Ryan, one of Tipperary’s best-known poets and ballad writers.
The competition seeks original poetry entries from established and emerging writers alike and aims to celebrate creativity, storytelling and the enduring power of the written word.
The Tipperary International Song of Peace Contest is inviting original songs inspired by themes of peace, love, harmony and hope, or any vision reflecting a ‘sense of peace’. Organisers believe that music has the power to unite people, transcend borders and inspire understanding at a time when peace is needed more than ever across the world.
Speaking at the launch, organisers said the decision to hold both finals together reflects the shared spirit of the two competitions — bringing people together through culture, creativity and peace.
Martin Quinn said that both events offer an opportunity for people “to express hope, humanity and understanding through song and poetry, and to celebrate the rich cultural tradition of Tipperary while reaching out to the wider world.”
John Grogan welcomed the continuation of the Darby Ryan literary tradition and encouraged poets everywhere to submit entries and become part of a special international celebration of creativity and heritage.
Mr Grogan said: “Darby Ryan’s words and poetry have survived through generations because they spoke to ordinary people, their lives, struggles and hopes. This competition is a wonderful way of keeping that tradition alive while also encouraging new voices and new creativity from across Ireland and around the world.”
Prospective song writers interested in entering are encouraged to go online to see full details, rules and entry information, at the Tipperary International Song of Peace contest website, and the Darby Ryan International Poetry Contest 2026 website.
Organisers are encouraging singers, songwriters and poets from all backgrounds and countries to take part and help make the 2026 finals in Templeneiry Old Church a memorable international celebration of peace, poetry and music. Of particular note this year is the addition of a secondary school section to the poetry contest.
For further information email the Tipperary International Song of Peace Contest at tippeace@gmail.com and the Darby Ryan International Poetry Contest at darbyryanpoetrycontest@gmail.com.
