Described as the best performance in the entire history of the competition, Jimmy Rafferty put on a mesmerizing and sensational performance to win the coveted Bard of Armagh final of humorous verse in a packed Armagh City Hotel on Friday 30th November. Jimmy has now won the competition three times in the last four years. His epic poem ‘HRT’ had the entire audience in stitches of laughter for the full duration of his presentation. Masterful in his stagecraft and in complete control of the audience, Jimmy not only raised the rafters of the hotel, but also raised the bar for all future bard performers. His unique style, his elegant penmanship and powerful sense of presence marks him out as a magical entertainer of sheer class.

Marie McCartan had to endure second prize once again with her poem, ‘Water Problems’. This piece would have won the ‘Bard’ on other occasions and once again, Jimmy has pipped Marie at the post. In a night of high quality presentations, among the major prizes were Declan O Brien from Dublin with ‘What’s in a name?’ Padraig McGinn with ‘Luckin for a Woman’ and the hugely popular Henry McGrath with ‘The Ticking Clock’.

The Irish News sponsored event has become something of a national institution with people traveling from all over the British Isles to savor the unique atmosphere, which only a Bard night can present. It is an event, which continues to grow each year, and already patrons are enquiring about that most precious commodity, tickets for next year.