The Limerick Writers’ Centre, in association with Poetry Ireland, proudly presents the 2025 Desmond O’Grady Memorial Reading on Wednesday, April 16th, 2025, at 7:30 PM. This prestigious literary event will take place at The People’s Museum of Limerick, 2 Pery Square.
The evening will feature three distinguished poets: John Liddy, Ron Carey, and Anne Fitzgerald, who will share their work in honour of the renowned Limerick poet Desmond O’Grady.
A highlight of the event will be the announcement of the winners of The Desmond O’Grady International Poetry Competition 2025. Competition judge Anne Fitzgerald will present the results and recognise this year’s outstanding poetic talents.
The Desmond O’Grady Memorial Reading continues to be one of the most significant events in Limerick’s literary calendar, celebrating the legacy of O’Grady, whose contributions to Irish poetry remain influential and deeply respected.
POET BIOGRAPHIES
ANNE FITZGERALD is a Dublin-based poet with a background in law from Trinity College. Her five poetry collections include “Swimming Lessons” (2001), “The Map of Everything” (2006), “Beyond The Sea” (2012), “Vacant Possession” (2017), and her latest, “Not to Scale” (2024). She served as writer in residence at The Princess Grace Irish Library in Monaco (2007).
JOHN LIDDY, born in Cork and raised in Limerick, lives in Madrid where he worked as a Teacher/Librarian. He has published thirteen poetry collections, children’s stories, and edited historical anthologies. Liddy translates between English, Irish, and Spanish, and serves on the board of The Hong Kong Review.
RON CAREY, Limerick-born and Dublin-based, holds a Masters in Creative Writing from the University of South Wales. He has won numerous poetry awards, including the Allingham Poetry Prize. His debut collection “DISTANCE” was shortlisted for the Forward Prize Best First Collection 2016.
About Desmond O’Grady
Desmond O’Grady (1935 – 2014) was born in Limerick, Ireland. Poet, professor, Harvard teaching fellow, editor, translator, Aosdana member. Widely travelled, O’Grady left his Limerick home in the 1950’s to teach in Paris, Rome and America. Reputed not only for his seventeen collections of poetry and his linguistic prowess, O’Grady was a founding member of the European Community of Writers.
About the Limerick Writers’ Centre
The Limerick Writers’ Centre was founded as a not-for-profit organisation in 2008 to support and promote writers from Limerick and beyond through readings, workshops and publishing activities. Guided by a voluntary board of directors, the Centre has been a driving force, bolstering the literary community in Limerick and surrounding area.
This event offers poetry enthusiasts an opportunity to experience powerful contemporary verse while honouring one of Limerick’s literary legends. The reading symbolises the ongoing vitality of poetry in Limerick and throughout Ireland.
Event Details:
- Date: Wednesday, April 16th, 2025
- Time: 7:30 PM
- Location: The People’s Museum of Limerick, Pery Square, Limerick
- Featured Poets: John Liddy, Ron Carey, and Anne Fitzgerald
Free entry and open to the public.
Contact Information:
Dominic Taylor
Email: limerickwriterscentre@gmail.com