In association with Moneyrea Primary and Nursery School

Robert Huddleston

Poet

(1814 – 1887)

 

We are delighted to announce the opening of the inaugural Robert Huddleston Ulster Scots Poetry Competition.

This competition is in honour of Robert Huddleston, variously known as, ‘The Bard of Moneyrea” or “The Poet”. Robert Huddleston was a farmer and gunsmith who wrote 1000s of poems in his own vernacular.

A secondary aim of our competition is to encourage local folk to write in Ulster Scots.

There are two separate competitions, one for general entries from adults and teenagers and one for primary school pupils.

Poems may be submitted on any subject, but must include phrases, expressions, and words from Ulster Scots.

We have a significant prize fund for this competition and are grateful to the following local businesses who have supported us in this venture:

   

                      

 

 

Prizes

General Entry 

1st Prize - £500

2nd Prize - £250

3rd Prize - £100

 

Primary Age Entry

1st Prize - £100 Smyths Toys Voucher

2nd Prize - £50 Smyths Toys Voucher

3rd Prize - £25 Smyths Toys Voucher

 

TERMS AND CONDTIONS

Submitting your entry:

You may submit your entry by email, by post or by hand.

 

Email Entries	Please email your entries, with the entry form (below) attached to: greerroy86@gmail.com
By Post	Post your entries along with the entry form (below) to: The Robert Huddleston Ulster Scots Poetry Competition Moneyrea Primary School, Church Road, Moneyreagh, Co. Down, BT23 6BB
By Hand	Deliver your entries by hand, along with the entry form (below) to: The Robert Huddleston Ulster Scots Poetry Competition Moneyrea Primary School, Church Road, Moneyreagh, Co. Down, BT23 6BB

 

Deadline for submissions:

All entries must be submitted by midnight on 30 June 2025 regardless of method of entry.

All entries must be accompanied by:

Either the hard copy of the entry form, or its online equivalent if using the email facility

 

Other terms and conditions:

• All entries must contain some elements of Ulster Scots.
• Entrants may submit up to three poems.
• All poems must be the unpublished, original work of the author.
• Poems must not have been previously published.
• The poems must be typed or legibly handwritten, preferably in black ink.
• The poems must be attached to the entry form.
• The name of the entrant must not appear on the poems themselves.
• No alterations can be made to the poem once it has been submitted.
• No entries can be returned.
• The judges' decisions are final, and no correspondence will be entered into regarding those decisions.
• No members of the Judging Panel may enter the Competition.
• Winning entries will be announced on 1 September 2025.
• Winning entrants will be invited to attend a prize-giving and will have the opportunity to read their work at the ceremony.
• Copyright will remain with the competitor, however, The Robert Huddleston Ulster Scots Poetry Competition will choose a selection of poems to publish as it sees fit.
• Submission of a poem implies the competitor's acceptance of the conditions set out above.

 

Data Protection:

By submitting your entry along with your personal details, you agree to The Robert Huddleston Ulster Scots Poetry Competition maintaining and processing your contact details for the purpose of the competition. Your details will not be shared with any third-party organisations.