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Sonia Elston, event organiser, Anthony Garvey, Jester of the Kingdom and Zach Garvey, Anthony’s eldest son.
THERE were 23 humorous poets taking the stage in Tralee on Friday night to battle for the coveted title of ‘Jester of the Kingdom’.
The popular humorous verse competition, now in its fourth year, was held at Kerins O’ Rahillys GAA club, in front of a large, appreciative audience.
Organiser Sonia Elston, said she was delighted with the turnout and the number of humorous poems entered in the competition, both of which were at record levels for the event.
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“Our Judges Noel King, Derry Butler and Vicky McCarthy had their work cut out to shortlist the entries, which ranged from humorous poetry and narrative stories told in verse, to downright doggerel! We were transported across the world, from tigers in Africa and bullfrogs in America, to the inside of a Peugeot, and front row seats at a fictional wake for Eddie Dunne, to name but a few.”
After much deliberation the judges decided in 4th place was Anne Marie Kennedy, with an autobiographical piece called ‘Full Circle’, in 3rd place was John McGrath, with his poem entitled ‘Fair Day in Castleisland’.
In 2nd place was ‘Love is an awful curse’, by Mike Guerin from Newcastlewest. Local Tralee author, Anthony Garvey emerged victorious with his poem entitled: ‘Sight for Sore Eyes’, which took a humorous look at his experience undergoing successful corrective surgery for a congenital squint.
“As a proud Dublin man, living and working in Tralee, it’s a great honour to win the Jester of the Kingdom,” Garvey said on receiving the award. “It will have pride of place on my mantelpiece for many years to come.”
Mike Guerin is from Newmarket