Top
Skip to Content
LOGO(small) - Queen's University Belfast
  • Our facebook
  • Our instagram
  • Our twitter
  • Our
LOGO(large) - Queen's University Belfast

The Seamus Heaney Centre

  • Home
  • About
    • The Centre
    • The Blackbird
    • The Heaney Community
    • Literary Belfast
  • Our People
    • The SHC Fellows
    • Ciaran Carson & Publishing Fellows
    • Fulbright Scholars
    • Children's Writing Fellow
    • Visiting International Poetry Fellows
    • Ireland Chair of Poetry
  • Study
    • The Poetry Summer School
    • Student Showcases and Opportunities
    • Future Screens
    • Writing Groups
    • New Students...
    • SHC X Fighting Words
  • First Collection Poetry Prize
    • Poetry Prize 2021
    • Poetry Prize 2020
    • Poetry Prize 2022
  • Resources
    • The SHC Podcast
    • SHC Publications
    • Criticism & Ideas on Writing
    • Films & Virtual Events
    • Writers' Interviews
    • Tiny Masterclasses
  • News
  • Events
    • SHC Presents...
    • Ekphrasis: Writing & Art
    • The Book Club Series
    • Ciaran Carson Conference
    • International Poets' Series
    • Masterclasses
    • SHC at the Festivals
  • Home
  • About
    • The Centre
    • The Blackbird
    • The Heaney Community
    • Literary Belfast
  • Our People
    • The SHC Fellows
    • Ciaran Carson & Publishing Fellows
    • Fulbright Scholars
    • Children's Writing Fellow
    • Visiting International Poetry Fellows
    • Ireland Chair of Poetry
  • Study
    • The Poetry Summer School
    • Student Showcases and Opportunities
    • Future Screens
    • Writing Groups
    • New Students...
    • SHC X Fighting Words
  • First Collection Poetry Prize
    • Poetry Prize 2021
    • Poetry Prize 2020
    • Poetry Prize 2022
  • Resources
    • The SHC Podcast
    • SHC Publications
    • Criticism & Ideas on Writing
    • Films & Virtual Events
    • Writers' Interviews
    • Tiny Masterclasses
  • News
  • Events
    • SHC Presents...
    • Ekphrasis: Writing & Art
    • The Book Club Series
    • Ciaran Carson Conference
    • International Poets' Series
    • Masterclasses
    • SHC at the Festivals
  • Our facebook
  • Our instagram
  • Our twitter
In This Section
  • Poetry Prize 2021
  • Poetry Prize 2020
  • Poetry Prize 2022

  • Home
  • Seamus Heaney Centre
  • First Collection Poetry Prize

First Collection Poetry Prize

Poetry Prize 2022

The First Collection Poetry Prize celebrates the work of the Seamus Heaney Centre and honours Heaney himself. It is awarded to a writer whose first, full collection has been published in the preceding year, by a UK or Ireland-based publisher. The winner receives £5,000.

The Poetry Prize is awarded as part of the Seamus Heaney Legacy Project, a joint 10-year fund between Queen's University Belfast and the Arts Council for Northern Ireland, generously supported by the Atlantic Philanthropies. 

TO APPLY

*SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW CLOSED* 

POETRY PRIZE 2021

Find out more about last year's shortlisted titles, the winning collection by Sumita Chakraborty, and watch the Virtual Award Night with readings from all the writers. 

Previous Winners
Image: First Collection Poetry Prize 2019 Judges Stephen Sexton, Nick Laird, and Edna Longley, with the Winner, Ned Denny

Some of the exellent titles from previous year's include: 

2021 - Sumita Chakraborty, Arrow (Carcanet)

2020 - Laura Scott, So Many Rooms (Carcanet)

2019 - Ned Denny, Unearthly Toys: Poems and Masks (Carcanet)

2018 - Richard Osmond, Useful Verses (Picador Poetry)

2017 - Adam Crothers, Several Deer (Carcanet)

2016 - Kate Miller, The Observances (Carcanet)

2015 - Fiona Benson, Bright Travellers (Cape Poetry)

2014 – Tara Bergin, This is Yarrow (Carcanet)

2013 – Sarah Jackson, Pelt (Bloodaxe Books)

Read more Read less

First Collection Poetry Prize
  • Poetry Prize 2021
  • Poetry Prize 2020
  • Poetry Prize 2022
Queen's University Belfast - Logo (small)
Contact Us

Seamus Heaney Centre
University Road, Belfast
BT7 1NN

GET DIRECTIONS

Phone: 028 9097 1077
Email: shc@qub.ac.uk 

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Study
  • People
  • Literary Belfast
  • News
  • Events

© Queen's University Belfast 2022
Privacy and cookies
Website accessibility
Freedom of information
Modern slavery statement
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion