Best Slam Poets in Ireland

Even though there is no unanimous answer on the best slam poet ever, this blogpost showcases a short list of the best slam poets in Ireland.

Who are the best Slam Poets in Ireland?

During the Slam Poetry Club get togethers, this is a question that ALWAYS comes up and people try to answer and give their own view.

This is a difficult question, as it’s not easy to determine the best at poetry given the fact that poetry is, thankfully, a very personal matter.

Some people prefer slam poets who really make you think about the meaning of life while on stage, while others prefer more chill and lighter poets who can make you laugh.

Again, there is no right or wrong answer and here at the TCD Slam Poetry Club we make sure to welcome every kind of taste and we try to propose events that cover them all…

… However, if we were to make a selection of the best Spoken Words of Ireland, we would lean on a few names that are listed below.

This article could be of great help also if you’re a novice to Slam Poetry and you want to listen to something just to understand if this world suits you.

We all remember the very first poem that made us fall in love with this discipline, and we believe that the artists listed below can be a good starting point for you!

If you didn’t know the names we selected, we also provided the best pieces of their repertoire so that you can enjoy it and maybe find a new favourite slam poet!

Ready? Let’s dive in!

1. Lewis Kenny

Kenny came to broader attention when he was appointed Bohemians FC first ever poet-in-residence, but that unlikely position belies the universal nature of his poetry, which is often very much based in place, and the beauty of community. There is a splendid simplicity and minimalism to Kenny’s work, which dispenses with hyperbole and is often strangely comforting.

Appreciate his poem “Cabra” in this video.

2. Emmet Kirwan

Kirwan’s feminist flow about autonomy developed as part of RIOT is a soaring piece of work. What could feel vaguely problematic – a guy talking about a young woman’s experience – perhaps even gains added power in its message, largely thanks to the empathy that is at the centre of much of Kirwan’s work.

Appreciate his poem “Heartbreak” in this video.

3. John Cummins

Cummins is the real deal; a curious, musical, staccato flow, and brilliantly nostalgic and visceral tales of festival, childhood, football and chippers.

Appreciate his poem “Electric Picnic” in this video.

Bottomline

Even if the debate about who the best slam poet is may never see a unanimous answer, we hope this article was useful to you to discover a new artist and appreciate their work.

If you want to contribute and share with us your favourite slam poets, feel free to do so in the comments below! Who knows, maybe we can invite them for our next big events ;)

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Source: https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/stage/ireland-now-the-best-spoken-word-in-ireland-1.3004140