Six poets will take centre stage in Bansha, county Tipperary, on Thursday, August 20th, when the Final of the Darby Ryan International Poetry Contest takes place at the historic Templeneiry Old Church, Bansha commencing at 7.00 pm. The six finalists will attend the event and read their compositions before the winning poem and runner-up compositions are announced on the night. The six finalists for 2026 includes 3 of the 2025 finalists including the overall winner Fidelma Nugent. The Darby Ryan International Poetry Contest is being held in conjunction with the Tipperary International Song of Peace, bringing poetry and music together for a very special evening celebrating creativity, community and peace – tickets can be booked on Eventbrite. Darby Ryan, originally from Bansha died in 1855 and was a renowned poet and author in both Irish and English.