Kenmare Arts Festival 2026 – Submission Form

Please read the Terms and Conditions below before you complete your entry

Applicable for:

  • Out of the Quiet 2026

  • Poets Meet Painters 2026

  • Kenmare Connected 2026: Stories Rooted in Place

  • Short Story Competition 2026 – Open Call: Open Voices

Kenmare Arts Festival 2026 – Literary Programme Submission Form

Terms & Conditions for Literary Submissions
(Applicable to all four calls for submission)

These terms and conditions apply to all literary projects and competitions forming part of the Kenmare Arts Festival 2026 Literary Programme, including:

  1. Poets Meet Painters 2026

  2. Kenmare Connected: Stories Rooted in Place

  3. Short Story Competition 2026 – Open Voices

  4. Out of the Quiet: Queer Lives in Irish Writing

By submitting work to any of the above projects, entrants agree to comply fully with the following terms and conditions.

1. General Eligibility
1.1 Each competition or anthology is open to writers according to the specific eligibility criteria stated. All entrants must be over 18. Out of the Quiet entrants must be over 55.
1.2 Entries must be the original, unpublished work of the entrant and not accepted or under consideration for publication elsewhere before the date of results announcement.
1.3 Collaborative or AI-generated works are not permitted.
1.4 Entrants may submit to multiple categories provided that each submission meets the specific rules and criteria of that competition or anthology.

2. Submission Format and Requirements
2.1 All submissions must be in English unless otherwise noted.
2.2 Entries should be typed and formatted according to the stated guidelines for each category, and submitted online.
2.3 Where anonymity is required, no author name should appear on the manuscript or poem file; personal details should be confined to the entry form.
2.4 Word or line limits for each category must be strictly observed.
2.5 Entries that do not comply with format or eligibility requirements may be disqualified.

3. Deadlines and Key Dates
3.1 Entrants must respect the deadline of 30 May 2026
3.2 Late entries cannot be accepted.
3.3 Shortlists and winners will be announced on or before the dates published on the Festival websites and related publicity.

4. Submissions
4.1 Entries must be made online. We will only except postal entries in exceptional circumstances.

5. Judging and Results
5.1 All eligible submissions will be anonymised prior to judging.
5.2 The judging panel for each category is appointed by the organisers, and their decisions are final and binding.
5.3 No correspondence will be entered into regarding the judges’ decisions.
5.4 Selected and winning entries will be published in their respective anthologies and may be featured in public readings and Festival events.

6. Publication, Copyright & Rights
6.1 Copyright remains with the author at all times.
6.2 By submitting work, entrants grant Mill Cove Gallery and Kenmare Arts Festival a non-exclusive licence to:

  • Publish the work in the official printed anthology and complementary online media.

  • Present the work at readings, launches, and other festival-related events.

  • Use short extracts or images of the work for publicity and promotional purposes, with full credit to the author.
    6.3 The organisers reserve the right to make minor editorial amendments or formatting adjustments before publication.
    6.4 Entrants agree that no payment or royalty beyond the stated prizes will be made for publication or inclusion in Festival promotions.

7. Prizes
7.1 Prize amounts and award categories will be stated for each specific competition on the Festival Website.
7.2 Any additional prize funds or commendations will be announced via the Festival websites once confirmed.
7.3 The organisers reserve the right not to award prizes if, in the judges’ view, entries do not reach the expected standard.

8. Events and Festival Launches
8.1 Each anthology or competition will culminate in public readings and launches held at the Carnegie Arts Centre, Kenmare, as part of the Festival.
8.2 Selected authors may be invited to read or participate in panels; participation is voluntary and not remunerated beyond stated awards.

9. Data Protection & Privacy
9.1 Personal data provided by entrants will be processed in accordance with GDPR and relevant Irish data protection legislation.
9.2 Information will be used solely for administration, communication, and publication purposes.
9.3 Data will be retained only for the duration of the competition and production period, after which it will be securely deleted.
9.4 By submitting, entrants consent to be contacted about the results and relevant Festival events.

10. Disqualification & Liability
10.1 Entries containing defamatory, discriminatory, or legally problematic content will be disqualified.
10.2 The organisers retain the right to withdraw any work from publication on legal or ethical grounds.
10.3 The organisers accept no responsibility for lost, delayed, or corrupted submissions.
10.4 Entrants are advised to retain a personal copy of all submitted work.

11. Postal & Email Addresses

All competition updates, results, and event announcements will be available at:
www.kenmareartsfestival.com and www.millcovegallery.com

12. Acceptance of Terms
Submission of work to any Kenmare Arts Festival 2026 Literary Project implies full acceptance of these terms and conditions. Entrants are deemed to have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by all rules and policies outlined herein.