Anne Tannam announced as Poetry Ireland's new Poet in Residence at Dublin City University

Award-winning poet Anne Tannam has been announced as Poetry Ireland's new Poet in Residence at Dublin City University.

Anne has been appointed to the post for a two-year period, which will enable Poetry Ireland to forge new creative relationships in the North East Inner City, taking in the university campus itself as well as nearby cultural organisations and numerous communities on the Northside. 

This role is funded by the Adrian Brinkerhoff Poetry Fund of the Sidney E Frank Foundation, Dublin City University and the Arts Council of Ireland.   

Anne has published three poetry collections and boasts over 35 years experience coaching, facilitating and mentoring, skills that will come in very useful during her role as Poetry Ireland Poet in Residence. Anne was chosen after an application and interview process during spring 2023.  

Speaking as she was announced as the new Poet in Residence, Anne outlined her vision for the role;

“Thanks to Poetry Ireland, Dublin City University and The Brinkerhoff Foundation for this fantastic opportunity. Poetry Ireland is dedicated to connecting people with poetry. As their new Poet in Residence, I’ll strengthen existing connections and forge new links. Poetry as Multiverse – connecting everyone, everywhere, all at once!”  

Anne, who will be following the footsteps of the inaugural Poetry Ireland Poet in Residence, Catherine Ann Cullen, said that a key driver in her residency will be delivering Poetry Ireland’s Neighbourhood Programme, which seeks to connect people and poetry across the inner city, forming and cementing creative relationships with local groups and people who are often excluded.  

Prof Dáire Keogh, President of DCU, welcomed the appointment;

"Our support for this residency very much aligns with DCU’s Arts and Culture plan, and with our commitment, as a ‘University of Place’, to positively engage with our local communities. I look forward to Anne’s time with us, and I am confident that her vast experience in creative coaching will both nurture a love of poetry and showcase writing talent in DCU and across Dublin’s Northeast inner city."

Liz Kelly Director of Poetry Ireland, said the organisation was delighted to appoint Anne to the post and was excited by the proposals she has put forward as Poet in Residence;

“Anne has a vast range of experience as a writer and mentor. She is a teacher by profession and will work with Poetry Ireland to forge exciting new collaborations across the Northeast inner city and DCU,” she said. “We very much welcome our new poet in residence on board and value her wider experience, her strong focus on inclusion and the creative energy she will bring to the role over the next two years.”  

Making a visible impact within the local community is a core aim of the residency scheme, which will include input from other writers and artists. The Poet in Residence will also have time to engage in her own creative work and to develop commissioned work for Poetry Ireland.