Border Lines brings bilingual poetry and spoken word event to Derry

Border Lines, a new live literature series curated and hosted by award-winning poet Cat Brogan, launches in Derry on Saturday, October 4 2025, with an evening of bilingual poetry and spoken word at Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin (7.30pm).

The event, presented in association with Poetry Ireland, showcases a powerful mix of established and emerging voices from across the North West and beyond.

The October line-up features:

• Cormac Mac Gearailt – Irish Poetry Slam Champion, UNESCO Slamovision winner, and workshop leader.
• Sam Ó Fearraigh – Donegal-based poet writing for page, stage, and screen, twice winner of the Frances Browne Poetry Prize.
• Robert Arbuckle – North West poet, musician, and nature guide whose work explores connection, mental health, and belonging.
• John James Nelis – Derry poet and prose writer whose work focuses on horror and the natural world.
• Blaithin Thérèse Gillen – Writer from Inishowen, whose work offers fresh perspectives on lived experience.

The evening will be hosted by Cat Brogan, current Ulster Poetry Slam Champion, Goldsmiths MA graduate, and internationally published poet with performances in 16 countries.

Earlier in the day, Cormac Mac Gearailt will lead a two-hour spoken word workshop at Little Acorns Bookstore (2.30–4.30pm, £10). The session, designed for beginners and intermediate writers, will focus on developing ideas, editing, and performing work with confidence.

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Tickets: Evening event: £6 (including booking fee). Workshop: £10. Combined ticket: £13. 

Book now: bit.ly/borderlines1