Karen J. McDonnell

Karen J. McDonnell is published widely, with works included in Vital Signs: Poems of Illness and Healing (Poetry Ireland), Romance Options: Love Poems for Today, (Dedalus Press) and Gondal Heights (Sybaritic Press). Her poem ‘Driftwood’ was shortlisted for 2021 Irish Poem of the Year. Best of the Net and Pushcart Prize nominated, her work appears on several shortlists and was awarded Tyrone Guthrie Centre and Birr writers’ residencies. Collaborations include, 32 Poets for Ireland podcast, Labellit project, Poems Meet Painters, Poetry Jukebox and Poetry as Commemoration. She was also an actress and is a former radio producer / presenter. Her debut collection, This Little World, was published in 2017 and her second collection Tidal in September 2025, both by Doire Press. 

Karen’s participation in this year’s festival is supported by Doire Press