Saolta Arts shares a ‘Menu of Poems’ with Patients and Staff in hospitals on Poetry Day Ireland

Poet Anne Tannam selects ‘Menu of Poems’ for patients and staff of Irish hospitals for Poetry Day Ireland. 

As part of Poetry Day Ireland on Thursday May 28, a Menu of Poems will be shared with patients, staff, and visitors across Irish hospitals and healthcare settings. Circulated on meal trays, the initiative offers moments of comfort and reflection, reaching over 12,000 people.

Launched in 2008, Menu of Poems is an annual anthology produced by Saolta Arts with Arts and Health Coordinators Ireland, supported by Poetry Ireland and HSE Health Promotion and Improvement. It brings meaningful arts experiences into healthcare environments across Ireland.

The 2026 edition, curated by Anne Tannam, features poems by Alvy Carragher (In Other Words), Luke Morgan (Longitude), and Marie Howe (Reunion), alongside her own online bonus poem, The Art of Listening. A children’s poem, My Delicious Hat by Paul Timoney, will also be distributed in paediatric settings. All poems are available to download, with recordings online.

Anne Tannam, Menu of Poems Editor 2026, said: “Sometimes, life can be hard to navigate and can feel lonely. In difficult times, there is no kinder, more understanding, or more fun companion than a poem. I hope readers, young and old, will get as much pleasure and solace from reading these poems as I did from choosing them.”

Claire Power, Director at Poetry Ireland said: “We are thrilled to see Saolta Arts and Arts and Health Coordinators Ireland collaborating once again to roll out Menu of Poems in hospitals across Ireland. Menu of Poems is a truly special initiative that helps to connect people and poetry at times when people may need a moment of solace or joy most. I don't doubt that this will once again be a wonderful celebration of poetry, especially with Poetry Ireland / Éigse Éireann's former Poet in Residence Anne Tannam curating this year's selection of poems.”

Margaret Flannery, Arts Director at Saolta Arts, said: “The Menu of Poems is not just about sharing poetry; it's about creating moments of joy and reflection in the midst of challenging times. It continues to grow its audience each year, and we are delighted to work with our colleagues in Arts and Health Coordinators Ireland, the HSE and Poetry Ireland to realise this special project as part of Poetry Day Ireland. With recordings and downloads available online, the poetry can be accessed all year round in healthcare settings across the country.”

For more information, or if your hospital or healthcare facility would like to take part email: saoltaarts@hse.ie

Downloadable versions and recordings are available at: https://saoltaarts.com/stories/menu-of-poems/

For information on Poetry Day Ireland visit www.poetryday.ie