The Sun Is Open (Penned in the Margins) focuses on the life and death of the poet’s father, who was murdered by the IRA outside their Belfast home in 1984. Moving between child and adult perspectives the collection of poetry pieces together his history and life.

 

This is the fourth year of the prize, which is awarded annually for an outstanding debut collection of poetry in the English language. Valued at €10,000, the prize is sponsored by the John Pollard Foundation and administered by the Trinity Oscar Wilde Centre in the School of English at Trinity. QUB announce the award here. With producer Conor Garrett, Gail made The Open Box, an arts feature based on The Sun is Open for BBC Radio 4, available now.