Hayloft Bar: Ó Bhéal presents Qui Qarre and Leon Dunne

Ó Bhéal in association with Cork City Council presents a hybrid poetry event with guest poets Qui Qarre (via zoom) and Leon Dunne (in-person).

The evening features four parts:

7-7.45pm: Poetry-Films (random play from Ó Bhéal’s Poetry-Film comp archives – NOT STREAMED);
8.30pm: Five Word Challenge (max 30 – after the allotted 15 minutes writing time);
9.30pm: Featured Guest Poets (20 minutes each);
10:20pm: Open-Mic Session for original poetry (max 30)

Qui Qarre is a Kenyan born spoken word poet, author, speaker and mentor. She writes poetry on different social issues but her works have a key focus on leadership and mental health. She has published two poetry anthologies: Tears of The Pen (Rafu Books, 2018) and Broken Vase (Kenya National Library Service, 2021). Qui is a poetry slam champion and previous winner of Women Slam Africa.

Leon Dunne is Dublin-based and the reigning All-Ireland Slam Champion. His work focuses primarily on giving a voice to topics outside the mainstream conversation. Coming from a working-class background, and after studying English and Film at UCD, he engages in language and rhythm with high energy to draw the listeners in. “I write poems and stories for people that may feel left behind by the mainstream culture”.