Final call for Derry poets to submit entries for 'Poetry in Motion' campaign

Translink and Ulster University’s Poetry in Motion campaign is entering its final week, and are calling on poets, writers, and passengers across Northern Ireland to submit their poems before the October 31 2024 deadline.

This is your last chance to be featured in our Poetry in Motion booklet, launching later this autumn at Belfast Grand Central Station. 

Mark Montgomery, Translink’s Northern Area Route Manager, NI Railways, emphasised the importance of the project: “Public transport is about much more than moving from A to B. It’s about the connections we make along the way, the stories we share, and the moments that shape our everyday lives.

"We encourage everyone to take part in this wonderful campaign by submitting their poems and sharing their experiences.” 

As part of this exciting initiative, Translink and UU have brought poetry into the heart of public transport, showcasing how our everyday journeys inspire connection and creativity. Over the past months, poets have travelled across Northern Ireland on Foyle Metro, Urby, Goldliner, Glider, Metro, and train services as Poets in Residence, sharing poetry with passengers during their travels.

These Poets in Motion have brought the magic of words to bus and train stations, encouraging passengers to reflect on their journeys and share their own stories. 

Niamh McNally, Translink’s Poet in Residence at York Street Station, added: “It’s been amazing to see the creativity sparked by the Poetry in Motion campaign. I’ve had the pleasure of sharing poetry with passengers throughout the network and hearing their stories. Now, we’d love to see even more poems submitted to the campaign as we bring the project to a close.” 

In addition to this, we’ve held live poetry readings at key locations, including the North West Transport Hub and York Street Station, and on UU Coleraine Campus where local poets reflected on the themes of connection, identity, and travel. These events have inspired writers of all ages to think about the ways public transport links us not only to places, but to the people and communities around us. 

Dr. Frank Ferguson, from Ulster University, shared his thoughts: “The Poetry in Motion campaign has been a fantastic way to celebrate the connections we make through public transport. We are excited to see the final submissions come in and to showcase the creative talent across Northern Ireland in the upcoming poetry booklet.” 

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Whether you’re a seasoned writer or someone new to poetry, we invite you to reflect on your journeys, the connections you’ve made, and the experiences you’ve had while using public transport. Your poem could be selected for inclusion in the Poetry in Motion booklet, a unique collection that will celebrate the voices of Northern Ireland. 

Submit your poems by 31 October 2024 at www.translink.co.uk/poetryinmotion. 

Don’t miss this final opportunity to share your voice and be part of Poetry in Motion!