Turf Speak

We Are Griot members Dagogo Hart and FELISPEAKS present an afternoon of spoken word poetry alongside local poets Snizhana Rauth, Jessica Witek and Tara Phelan.

WeAreGriotare a collective of Black and Irish poets, storytellers and performers, carrying on the torch of the bard to reflect the times we live in, celebrate culture and community, and push the boundaries of society. With each performance, workshop, and collaboration, WeAreGriot continues to uphold the spirit of the griot, serving as modern-day stewards of the oral arts.

Dagogo Hartis a Nigerian-Irish writer, director, poet and theatre-maker working across film, theatre and live performance. His work is rooted in character-led storytelling and often explores Black Irish identity, migration, masculinity, grief, faith, family and belonging.

Tara Phelanis a 17-year-old poet and musician from Ireland, writing about identity, love, loss, belonging, and the parts of ourselves that we struggle to understand. She writes to give a voice to the feelings people often leave unspoken, turning what she carries quietly into words, in the hope that the voiceless might find themselves within her pieces.

Jessica Witekis a Portlaoise based poet and university student who writes poetry and lyrics about all aspects of life around her.

Snizhana Rauthis a spoken word poet and performer originating from Ukraine, now based in Portlaoise. Her poems serve as an expression of raw emotion explored through duality of memories and fears. In 2025, Snizahan was published inFighting Words, an Irish Times supplement, and has since taken part in community events related to poetry.

FELISPEAKS is a Nigerian-Irish multidisciplinary artist whose work lives at the intersection of poetry, performance and theatre. Their practice is rooted in a belief that creativity is a gift given to all - but that being a Writer, a Griot an Artist, is a calling. One they hold with the utmost respect, responsibility and certainty.

Catherine Grahamis from The Heath, Co. Laois and is a student of Mary Immaculate College who has a passion for writing poetry about family and Irish identity.