The Seamus Heaney Centre Poetry Prize is awarded to a writer whose first full collection has been published in the preceding year, by a UK or Ireland-based publisher. The winning writer receives £5,000 and is invited to read at a prestigious public event (subject to health and safety restrictions). For this they receive travel, accommodation, and relevant expenses. 

A Judges Panel will be appointed by the Seamus Heaney Centre. The panel will compile a shortlist of up to five books, to be announced in June 2024. The winner and shortlisted writers will be invited to participate in the Award Event. 

The Prize is part of the Seamus Heaney Legacy Project, a fund established by Queen’s University and the Arts Council of NI, supported by the Atlantic Philanthropies. 

Please see the entry form (open from 1 Jan 2024) for full eligibility criteria and details on how to submit. 

KEY DATES
Open for Submissions: 1 Jan 2024
Submissions Deadline: 1 Apr 2024
Shortlist and Winner Announced: Jun 2024

POSTAL ADDRESS FOR BOOKS: 
The Seamus Heaney Centre - First Collection Poetry Prize,
School of Arts, English, and Languages,
Queen's University Belfast,
2 University Square,
Belfast, BT7 1NN 
Northern Ireland

A completed entry form and three copies of the book must have been posted to prior to the deadline.

We will confirm receipt of books received via email.

Please send any queries to shc@qub.ac.uk