Each February, Ó Bhéal presents poets and short fiction writers engaged in UCC’s MA Creative Writing programme, who read from their new work.

Peggy McCarthy is completing the M.A. in Creative Writing at U.C.C. this year. Born near Skibbereen in West Cork, she’s lived most of her life in Waterford city. She worked as a primary teacher for many years. She enjoys the great outdoors. She’s had poems published in the Fish Anthology 2020 and Hold Open the Door.

Lauren O’Donovan is a Cork born poet currently completing her creative writing masters at UCC. She was recently featured at the Ó Bhéal Winter Warmer Festival’s New Voices Showcase for Poets, and at the 2020 Bookends Conference poetry panel. Lauren is an organizer of Debarra’s Spoken Word literary events, where she has also appeared as a guest speaker. Lauren is looking forward to appearing as a guest poet at Not the Time to be Silent, later in 2021.

Róisín Leggett Bohan is currently studying for her MA in Creative Writing in UCC, Cork. A writer of Short Stories and Poetry, she is moved by the bravery that lies within vulnerability. Her writings have been published by the Amsterdam Quarterly, Eyelands Press, Cork County Library and Visual Verse. She received a notable mention in the Cúirt New Writing Prize for Poetry 2020.

Daniel Galvin is from County Cork. His writing has been published in The Moth, Honest Ulsterman, Acumen, The West Texas Literary Review, Rock and Sling and Ofi Press Mexico. He came first place in the Spoken Word Platform at Cúirt International Literary Festival 2017 and won the May 2017 Sunday Slam in Dublin. Daniel was also shortlisted for the Red Line Poetry Competition 2018. He is currently completing an MA in Writing at University College Cork.

Kornelia is a bilingual poet and artist, who hopes to explore more languages to develop the depth of their work. They were raised in Poland and moved to Wexford, Ireland during childhood. They have completed an undergraduate degree in The Study of Religions & Philosophy, at University College Cork, and are currently enrolled in MA Creative Writing. Kornelia is interested in the unseen and writes extensively on the themes of search, love and awareness. Their poetry is predominantly displayed in an abstract and surreal manner