SETU students visit Rosslare Europort
Ellen Harrison, a first-year Theatre Studies, English and Sociology student at SETU’s Waterford campus, has been selected as the local winner in the EU-CONEXUS poetry contest on the theme of “A Sense of Place”
The competition invited students and staff from EU-CONEXUS partner universities to express their emotional and cultural connections to specific locations. A total of 84 entries were submitted from across the network. Harrison’s winning poem, The Dunes, beautifully captures themes of belonging, memory, and the ever-changing relationship between people and nature. Her evocative language and vivid imagery highlight the power of place and memory.
Reflecting on her poem, Ellen commented:
“My poem The Dunes is an exploration of a home in transition. It tries to explore the boundaries between the self, the natural environment, and the abstract, connecting my experiences and emotions in this particular place to the place itself, and the otherworldly/gate to heaven ideas that I associate with the place. The structure of the poem is meant to mimic the waves as they breathe up and down. The Dunes itself is inspired by a spot at the end of the sand dunes where the riverbank separates the walkway of sand, and where the sunlight hitting the river makes it look almost white, like the gates of heaven opening. How flat and quiet the place is, like no other in the world for me. Ireland has had lots of poetry celebrating the urban and the rural, but not a huge amount relating to its gorgeous coastline and as a native Tramore woman, I hope to change that!”
Commenting on the winning entry Dr Susan Flynn, Head of Department of Arts said
“The winning poem is very relevant to the aims of the EU-CONEXUS poetry competition, as it focusses on our relationship with the environment, in particular our precious coastline”
The EU-CONEXUS poetry contest celebrates the diversity of perspectives within the alliance, encouraging creative expression that deepens our understanding of place and its significance in our lives. Harrison’s achievement showcases the literary talent emerging from SETU and reinforces the role of poetry—and the arts more broadly—in creating and sustaining connections.
A special word of thanks goes to SETU’s Dr Christa De Brun, Lecturer in English Literature and Dr Fiona Ennis, Lecturer in Philosophy and English Literaturewho undertook the difficult task of selecting the SETU winner.
Commenting on the process, Dr Christa De Brun said:
“Choosing a winner for a poetry contest is never an easy task. Each poem carries its own unique voice, emotion, and artistry, making every piece deserving in its own right.
Ellen’s poem stood out for its striking imagery and fluidity. The way the words drift across the page, mirroring the shifting dunes and flowing water, creates a sense of movement and the contrast between “storms” and “stillness,” “darkness” and “light,” evokes a deep, almost spiritual longing for home. Ellen’s poem captured the brief in both content and form”.
Dr Fiona Ennis added:
“We received such strong entries, and it was a tricky task for us to decide on the SETU winner. However, Ellen’s poem captivated me with its beautiful diction, resonant use of imagery and powerful use of sound. The form of the poem on the page was also innovative. Well done to Ellen! Keep writing!”
With the support of SETU’s Cian O’Carroll, a recording featuring Ellen reciting her poem has been produced. Enjoy and watch below:
