Poetry at the Festival
Enjoy three days of poetry, spoken word, workshops, open-mic sessions and friendly competition from Friday 18 to Sunday 20 September 2026. Bring a poem to share, discover new voices or simply come along and listen.
Featured artists
Geoffrey W Graham, Lizz Murphy, John Peel, Akka Ballinger Constantin, Oliver Roweth and Robyn Sykes, joined by Maurie Foun, the 2025 Reciter of the Year and judge of the 2026 award.
Friday 18th September
6:00–8:30 pm
Friday Night Soirée
Aussie Hotel
MC: Robyn Sykes Festival poets and friends open the weekend with a relaxed evening of poetry. Bring a poem to share.
Saturday 19th September
8:30 - 10:30 am
Poets' Breakfast
Yass Soldiers Club
MCs: John Peel and Geoffrey W Graham
Start the day with festival poets and friends. Bring your own poem to share.
Poets' Breakfast: Reciter of the Year details
The award is judged across the Saturday and Sunday Poets Breakfasts by Maurie Foun, the 2025 Reciter of the Year.
Prize: A free double pass to ICMF 2027, the opportunity to judge the 2027 award, the winner’s name on the perpetual trophy and a small take-home trophy.
Conditions: Featured artists are not eligible. Maximum recitation time is eight minutes.
10:30 - 11:15 am
Youth Poetry Workshop
St Augustine’s Hall
Robyn Sykes presents a workshop for young people on writing and presenting poetry. Learn to play with words and express yourself.
Ages: Approximately 10–15 years
11:30 am - 12 noon
Youth Open Mic
St Augustine’s Hall
Open-mic poetry for young people aged 5–18. All styles are welcome. A trophy and cash prizes will be awarded.
Sponsor and presenter: Akka Ballinger Constantin, The STEAM Hive
1:00 - 1:45 pm
Teams Poetry
St Augustine’s Hall
Two teams vie to convince the audience that their style is best. Hear an exciting mix of original traditional and contemporary poetry from festival poets and friends. Each speaker has five minutes.
Come along, vote by acclamation and help choose the winning team. Prizes will be awarded.
2:00 - 2:45 pm
Comedy Concert
St Augustine’s Hall
MC: Oliver Roweth
Festival poets and musical friends let their hair down for a lively session filled with laughs.
3:00 - 3:45 pm
From Around the Earth
St Augustine’s Hall
Featuring: Lizz Murphy, Akka Ballinger Constantin and Robyn Sykes
Three acclaimed poets, three different countries and three distinctive styles. Multiple reasons not to miss them.
Sunday 20th September
8:30 - 10:30 am
Poets' Breakfast
Yass Soldiers Club
MCs: Oliver Roweth and Robyn Sykes
Bring your own poem. This is the final opportunity to enter the 2026 Reciter of the Year award, followed by the award presentation.
2:30 - 3:15 pm
Spoken Word Finale
Lovat Chapel
MC: Robyn Sykes
The poetry programme concludes with featured artists and the 2026 Reciter of the Year.
Spoken Word Finale: One Minute Wonders details
Write a poem during the festival weekend incorporating the words Irish, Poetry and Music.
Present your newly written poem in one minute or less.
Winner: Decided by audience acclamation.
Prize: $50 cash—winner takes all.
Programme details may be subject to change.
Poetry Competition
The Irish and Celtic Music Festival proudly celebrates poetry through a series of fun and engaging competitions.
Whether you’re a seasoned performer or just starting out, there’s a stage for everyone!
Reciter of the Year Award
Judged across the Poets’ Breakfasts on Saturday (8–10am) and Sunday (8:30–10:30am).
The winner receives a free ticket to the next ICMF to return as judge, their name on the perpetual trophy, plus a take-home trophy.
(Note: Featured program performers are not eligible.)
Time limit: 8 minutes.
One Minute Wonder
Sunday, 1:30–3pm at Lovat Chapel.
Put your creativity to the test! Write a poem over the weekend using the set topic words (available at all poetry events from Friday), then present it in one minute or less.
Winner: Decided by audience acclamation.
Prizes awarded.
Poetry Teams Event
Saturday, 3–4pm at Mt Carmel Performing Arts Centre.
Locals vs Visitors, showcasing local junior talent.
Winner: Decided by audience acclamation.
Prizes awarded.
U18 Open Mic
Saturday, 2–3pm at Mt Carmel Performing Arts Centre.
Open mic for ages 5–18 — all styles welcome.
Prize: Trophy plus prize.
Friday's Program
6 -8pm
Friday Night Soirée
Trader & Co - Meehan St, Yass.
MC: Luke Robinson
Festival poets and friends, with guest performance by local singer-songwriter Daniel Kelly.
Saturday's Program
8am -10am
Poets' Breakfast
Yass Soldiers Club
MCs: Jason Roweth, Stonybroke. BYO poem.
Includes Reciter of the Year Award: Judged over the Poets Breakfasts on Saturday and Sunday. Winner receives a free double pass to ICMF 2026 to judge ROY. Perpetual trophy, plus small take-home trophy. Featured artists not eligible.
Time limit: 8 minutes
10:30am - 11:30am
Junior Upper Primary/Early Secondary School Spoken Word Workshop
Mt Carmel Performing Arts Centre
Oliver Roweth (he/it) presents a workshop on writing and performing free verse poetry. Learn to play with words outside the boundaries of rhyming verse and stretch structure to express yourself freely.
For ages 10-15.
11:30am-12pm
U18 Open Mic
Mt Carmel Performing Arts Centre
Open mic poetry, all styles welcome, ages 5-18. Trophy plus cash prizes.
Judge: Stonybroke
MC: Lizz Murphy. Prizes sponsored by Akka Ballinger Constantin, The STEAM Hive
1:30pm - 2pm
Eric Purdie: Comedian and Storyteller
Mt Carmel Performing Arts Centre
Delivered in an unmistakably Glasgow 'stand-up' style, Eric Purdie's comedy presentation features humorous stories, poems and unaccompanied songs.
2pm - 3pm
Comedy Show
Mt Carmel Performing Arts Centre
Festival poets and friends. MC: Jason Roweth. Let your hair down! Lots of laughs.
3pm - 3:45pm
Global stories, local perspectives
Mt Carmel Performing Arts Centre
Lizz Murphy, Akka Ballenger Constantin, Robyn Sykes.
Three acclaimed poets, three different backgrounds, three different styles. Multiple reasons not to miss them!
Sunday's Program
8am - 10am
Poets’ Breakfast
Yass Soldiers Club
MCs: Robyn Sykes, Eric Purdie
BYO Poem. Incudes last chance ROY and presentation .
10:45am - 11:30am
Spoken Word Teams Event
Mt Carmel Performing Arts Centre
Topic: Banjo and Henry v The Rest MC: Luke Robinson
Two teams vie to convince us ‘their’ poets are the best. Hear an exciting mix of traditional and contemporary poems, presented by our festival poets. Come along and vote by acclamation!
Prizes for the winning team.
11:35am - 12:15pm
Workshop Eric Purdie: Where is the Glasgow I used to Know
Mt Carmel Performing Arts Centre
In this workshop Eric Purdie imparts a unique view of a life and culture through story, poetry and songs, collected over many years. It is not a story about kilts, views and shortbread, it is a story about the hard reality of growing up in the heart of Industrial post war Scotland.
2:30pm
Spoken Word Finale
Lovat Chapel
MC: Robyn Sykes. Featured artists and ROY.
One Minute Wonders Poetry Competition
Write a poem over the weekend, which must include the words ‘Yass, Celtic, Poetry’.
Present your newly written poem in one minute or less.
Winner decided by audience acclamation.
$50 cash plus prizes
Other Events
The Irish and Celtic Music Festival offers so much more than music and poetry.
Join in the excitement of traditional
Irish dancing, or watch the next generation shine at the
Junior Fleadh, showcasing young musicians, singers, and dancers. Explore the beauty of the
Irish language through conversation sessions accompanied by live music, or take part in hands-on
workshops to learn new skills in music, dance, and cultural traditions.
Junior Fleadh
Free youth workshops in Irish music and dance!
Mt Carmel School
Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th September
9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
Following the Sunday program lunch will be provided then students will present a showcase concert at 12:30pm.
Bring your own instrument if you have one.
D whistles available for the total beginners or kids who do not have an instrument of their own.
Irish Language, Conversation and Music.
Morning Coffee & Irish Music (Maidin Caifé agus Ceol)
Irish Language & Conversation
Join with the Friends of Ireland (Cairde na hÉireann) & Canberra Irish Language Association (CILA) for a Morning of FUN!
Come along, enjoy a cuppa and a cake with some Irish speakers, students, enthusiasts and friends.
Speak a bit of Irish, learn a few phrases or just listen and tap your toes to the vibrant traditional music of Ireland Enjoy the Craic and a warm Irish Fáilte! (welcome)
Kaffeine Coffee Shop
Saturday 14th September
From 11am
For more information please contact Friends of Ireland via email:
contactfoi276@amail.com
or CILA on 0457 179996
or email: cila.enquiries@gmail.com
Dance Program
Irish Set Dancing Workshops and Ceilis
Entry to dance workshops is by festival wristband or $10.00 at the door.
Entry to each Ceili is by festival wristband or $15.00 at the door.
Light refreshments available.
Saturday's Program
10am - 12.00pm
Workshop 1
Irish Set Dancing with Paul & Leslie Carr.
St Augustine's Hall
2.00 - 2.30pm
Display by ‘Set In Their Ways’ led by Paul & Leslie Carr.
Riverbank Park (Festival Markets)
7.30 - 10.30pm
Festival Ceili
St Augustine's Hall
The Ceili will be dancing to some of Australia's finest dance musicians lead by Ian Hayden.
Sunday's Program
10am - 12pm
Workshop 2 - Irish Set Dancing with Paul & Leslie Carr.
St Augustine's Hall
12.30 - 2.30pm
Farewell Ceili
St Augustine's Hall
The Ceili will be dancing to some of Australia's finest dance musicians lead by Ian Hayden.
Workshops
Celtic Ukelele Workshop with Sally Carter
St Augustine's Hall
Saturday 14th September
2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Learn a beautiful Celtic song. Chords and riffs. Singing.
All abilities workshop.
All music resources supplied.
Entry to workshops by festival wristband or $10 in the festival office or @ the door.
Sunday 15th September
TBA
Entry to workshops by festival wristband or $10 in the festival office or @ the door.
