Percy French Prize for Witty Verse

A project of Strokestown International Poetry Festival (see other related projects).

This project is on indefinite hiatus. Check their site to find out whether this is a submission and/or publication hiatus. (November 2021)

About

William Percy French (1 May 1854 – 24 January 1920) was born at Cloonyquin House, near Elphin Co. Roscommon, only a few miles from Strokestown. He was one of Ireland’s most popular songwriters and entertainers in his day, writing primarily in comic verse. He is also well known for his landscape watercolours. Writers are invited to compete for the Percy French Prize at the Strokestown International Poetry Festival. This is the category where humour is prime. The poems here are intended to be recited to a live audience, so they need to be easily understood on first hearing. And they need to have a lightness of touch combined with a wry take on life. If you want to get a flavour of the sort of tone the judges will be hoping to find, you should read through some of Percy French’s well-loved verses, or listen to his songs. Some examples: Are Ye Right There, Michael, Are Ye Right? Abdul Abulbul Amir. Eileen Og. Shlathery’s Mounted Fut. We don’t want you to ape Percy French, of course, but we hope to find a confident and original entry that raises a laugh and raises the spirits.

Fees Notice: This project charges fees (or requires purchases) for all submissions.

Country of Publication

Ireland

Publication Media & Contest Frequency

Electronic Publication Electronic Publication: Awarded 1 x per year
Print Publication Print Publication: Awarded 1 x per year

Poetry On Hiatus

Audience:

Open to a broad Audience.

Genres:

General

Lengths:

Poem: Up to 70 lines.

Poetry Forms:

Open to all/most Forms.

Styles:

Open to all/most Styles, including: Humorous, Literary.

Topics:

Open to all/most Topics.

Winner's Prize:

Professional payment (US$50 or more per poem) Professional payment (US$50 or more per poem).
Note: We list broad pay categories rather than prize specifics. Check with the publisher for details.

Submissions:

Method: Postal.
Reprints: Reprints are allowed.
Simultaneous submissions: Unknown.
Multiple entries: Multiple entries are allowed.
Media: Text.

Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary.

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Go to contest webpage

Report:
Correction/Update

Percy French Prize for Witty Verse Submission Statistics

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This listing is inactive and does not have any submission reports for the past 12 months.

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Strokestown International Poetry Prize DNQ

Before Submitting

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Dates

Last Updated: 22 May 2026