The Festival of Humorous Verse began as part of the ‘November Keady Fair’ in 1993. The first finals were held in the ‘Trap’ in Keady, before and audience of about 250. The organisers were left in no doubt that the event had unlimited potential if organised properly. It was important to seek and secure quality sponsorship and support at both private and public sector level and the Bard has had the privilege of being associated with such organisations as, The Northern Ireland Tourist Board, The Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Rural Regeneration, Co-Operation North, Armagh City and District Council, The Northern Ireland Events Company and Awards for All. Private sponsors include Coca Cola, McGeary Compost, NIE and The Irish News. Support from such esteemed organisations is an endorsement of the quality of the event and the high esteem in which it is held. Each year the roots grow deeper and the branches grow wider and new Bards enter the competition with new themes, insights and styles of delivery. Each year more and more people from various walks of life join the clamour for tickets for the finals. The success of the Bard lies in the fact that it is the art of the people and the final night is always sure to generate an energy that no imported or cloned art form can touch.

Over the years the Bard launch and finals have visited such venues as, The Trap, Carnagh House, Belleek Country House, The Navan Centre, The Ryandale, Drumsill House, The Iontas Centre and Armagh City Hotel.