Wild Whispers Poetry Magazine Issue 1:2 October, 2025
Recent Interviews
Molly Farrell on winning the 2024 Belfast Book Festival's Brian Bailey Memorial Cup
BY WENDY BEACH
Molly Farrell is currently completing a PhD in Political Anthropology, looking specifically at the performance of gender and emotions. Outside of academia, Molly runs Rainbow Reels which is an LGBTQIA+ Traditional Irish music group and co-runs Sad Dyke Poetry Night at Paperxclips.
How did you get into poetry?
I was always creative when I was younger, I wrote a lot of short stories, mostly about dragons and fairies and then I just stumbled into poetry. I had a very kind English teacher in high school who really supported my writing and gave me confidence.
Does your work have a particular focus?
I think my work focuses a lot on grief and the absence of love. It’s a lot of angst, but sometimes we need to read about grief to understand our own. Though I have set myself the challenge of writing less sad poems!
Where do you find inspiration?
Strangely enough, when I’m on public transport I write poetry. There’s just something about being on a bus or a train; being alone with my thoughts, listening to my music, and just being present with myself. I write about two or three poems a week, but how many of them are good is a different story.
Can you tell the readers a bit about the experience of winning the 2024 Brian Bailey Memorial Cup?
It was amazing, honestly. Like, it’s nice to win things. But I just go to have fun, and winning was an added bonus. I love hearing other people’s poetry as well. I think you can learn a lot from a person’s poetry and it also challenges me to bring my A game. To deliver my poetry in a way that people can connect, but also friendly competition! I do really enjoy being there with the folks and just feeling a part of the poetry world.
How do you spend your free time?
I love being around music, whether it’s traditional or gigs. I also am a big lover of the sea, so I can usually be found swimming or just sitting by the water.
Where can we read your poetry?
I might try posting my work on Substack. I want to work towards publishing a collection of my poetry, so I’m manifesting that!
What advice can you give the readers on writing poetry for competitions?
I think sometimes, with poetry, write for yourself. Whether that’s things you wished someone had said to you before or whether it’s a confession. Write for you and be proud of putting yourself out there. It’s daunting, and you’re vulnerable. So yeah, putting yourself out there, that’s terrifying.
How did you get into poetry?
I was always creative when I was younger, I wrote a lot of short stories, mostly about dragons and fairies and then I just stumbled into poetry. I had a very kind English teacher in high school who really supported my writing and gave me confidence.
Does your work have a particular focus?
I think my work focuses a lot on grief and the absence of love. It’s a lot of angst, but sometimes we need to read about grief to understand our own. Though I have set myself the challenge of writing less sad poems!
Where do you find inspiration?
Strangely enough, when I’m on public transport I write poetry. There’s just something about being on a bus or a train; being alone with my thoughts, listening to my music, and just being present with myself. I write about two or three poems a week, but how many of them are good is a different story.
Can you tell the readers a bit about the experience of winning the 2024 Brian Bailey Memorial Cup?
It was amazing, honestly. Like, it’s nice to win things. But I just go to have fun, and winning was an added bonus. I love hearing other people’s poetry as well. I think you can learn a lot from a person’s poetry and it also challenges me to bring my A game. To deliver my poetry in a way that people can connect, but also friendly competition! I do really enjoy being there with the folks and just feeling a part of the poetry world.
How do you spend your free time?
I love being around music, whether it’s traditional or gigs. I also am a big lover of the sea, so I can usually be found swimming or just sitting by the water.
Where can we read your poetry?
I might try posting my work on Substack. I want to work towards publishing a collection of my poetry, so I’m manifesting that!
What advice can you give the readers on writing poetry for competitions?
I think sometimes, with poetry, write for yourself. Whether that’s things you wished someone had said to you before or whether it’s a confession. Write for you and be proud of putting yourself out there. It’s daunting, and you’re vulnerable. So yeah, putting yourself out there, that’s terrifying.
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