Stephen James Smith, born in Dublin, is an Irish poet, writer, performer, playwright, and educator. His short poetry films have captivated millions, earning them the opportunity to perform alongside notable names like Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam), Patti Smith, Shane MacGowan, Bono (U2), Imelda May, and Glen Hansard. With close to 1,000 gigs worldwide over the past 20 years in locations from Ballydehob to Bangkok, and significant performances at venues like Glastonbury, the Radio City Music Hall, New York, the Nuyorican Poetry Café, the Centre Culturel Irlandais (Paris), and the Barbican and Palladium (London), Stephen has demonstrated a commanding presence on the stage. As a recording artist, Stephen’s work has been lauded both nationally and internationally, and he has been dubbed “Dublin’s unofficial poet laureate.” His creations have been extensively published, translated into eight languages, and have received numerous awards and nominations. Stephen also makes regular contributions to Irish TV and radio cultural programmes. We are delighted to welcome him as an artist-in-residence at Féile Róise Rua 2025, to collaborate with Doireann Ní Ghlacáin on the Say a Song project.

Is file, scríbhneoir, taibheoir, drámadóir agus oide é Stephen James Smith, as Baile Átha Cliath ó dhúchas. Tá an-aird tarraingthe ag a chuid físeáin ghearra filíochta, agus deiseanna faighte aige, dá bharr, a bheith ar an stáitse le leithéidí Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam), Patti Smith, Shane MacGowan, Bono (U2), Imelda May, agus Glen Hansard. Tá a theacht i láthair mar fhile béil cruthaithe go maith aige le 20 bliain anuas ag beagnach 1,000 gig ar fud an domhain – ó Bhéal Átha an Dá Chab go Bancác, agus in ionaid cháiliúla ar nós Glastonbury, Radio City Music Hall, Nua-Eabhrac, an Nuyorican Poetry Café, an Centre Culturel Irlandais (Páras), an Barbican agus an Palladium (Londain). Tá ardmholadh faighte aige freisin mar ealaíontóir taifeadta sa bhaile agus go hidirnáisiúnta, agus aitheantas faighte aige mar ‘laureate neamhoifigiúil Bhaile Átha Cliath’. Tá a chuid dánta foilsithe go fairsing in ocht dteanga éagsula, agus tá go leor gradaim agus ainmniúchán bainte amach aige. Cuireann Stephen go rialta le cláir chultúrtha ar theilifís agus ar raidió in Éirinn. Tá an-áthas orainn fáilte a chur roimhe mar ealaíontóir cónaitheach ag Féile Róise Rua 2025, áit a mbeidh sé ag comhoibriú le Doireann Ní Ghlacáin ar an tionscadal Say a Song.