^{Photo credit: Sheerin Photography}

Trish Bennett, a multi-award-winning Irish writer and performer, draws inspiration from a life filled with diverse experiences. Her youth was a whirlwind of changing jobs, careers, cities, and nappies, a rich tapestry of adventures she later tapped into when she succumbed to the urge to write. Her writing, spanning poetry, memoir, and short stories, is a reflection of her life ethos: laugh in the face of adversity. Like life itself, her work is a blend of highs and lows, infused with a strong vein of humour that never fails to entertain and uplift. She delves into a myriad of themes, from the landscape of her people to the comical escapades of her family and other creatures.

Bennett’s unique writing style and deep appreciation for the natural world can be traced back to her upbringing on the border in rural North Leitrim during the Troubles. Her life, spent in equal parts in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, has shaped her into a writer who effortlessly ‘straddles boundaries’. This is evident in her writing, which feels equally at home on both the page and the stage.

In recent years, Bennett has been making significant strides in the literary world. She has won several prestigious awards, including the Roscommon New Writing Award 2022 and the Leitrim Guardian Literary Award for Poetry (twice). She has also been the recipient of a Cill Rialaig Residency from the Irish Writers Centre, Poetry Ireland and local council bursaries, and two General Arts Awards (Support For The Individual Artist), funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland & The National Lottery. Her work has been listed in renowned competitions such as The National Poetry Competition, Mslexia, Allingham, Trim, Mono, and The Bangor Literary Journal. For a comprehensive list of her achievements, please refer to the Awards section.

Bennett’s performances are a reflection of her ability to connect and engage with people. She can evoke tears of laughter or sadness among the audience and has been an invited performer at numerous events in Ireland and the UK, including The London Irish Centre, Cúirt Spoken Word Platform, Culture Night at the Tyrone Guthrie Centre and North West Words, RTE’s Poetry Programme, and BBC Radio Ulster. Her work leaves a lasting impact. Examples are available in Performance. Stay connected with Trish Bennett Performance on YouTube for more videos. 

Trish Bennett is not just a writer, but a mentor and performer who is eager to share her passion with others. She’s available for bookings through her social media links or Contact Page.