Daragh's heavenly poem to be immortalised in stone

Raftery, the winning poem, and Daragh.

Kilcullen-born Daragh Byrne has won first prize in the inaugural Rafferty's Return Arts Festival poetry competition with his 'As It Is In Heaven' poem.

Daragh is the son of Josephine and the late Des Byrne of Kilcullen, and has been living in Sydney for many years. His poem will be carved in stone and displayed as part of a poetry walk near the village of Kiltimagh in Co Mayo.

"It’s the first time I’ve ever won a poetry competition and I’m thrilled and grateful to the competition organisers and judge," Daragh says, adding that he'll have to make a trip home to see it after the stone is installed next March.

Daragh is an IT and wellness expert, and has been writing poetry for several years.

Antoine Ó Raifteirí was an Irish language poet who is often called the last of the wandering bards. He died in 1835.

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