In London this August, three poets based in Northern Ireland will be reading poems based on their research into real life nineteenth century women caught up in the criminal justice system of the past.

Femina Culpa is a poetry collective bringing together four poets based in County Down and Belfast. Their most recent poetry collections have all been inspired by the stories of nineteenth century women who were caught up in the criminal justice system or who were victims of crime. Their work has been based on archival research and seeks to uncover the voices of these women through poetry. Three of the members will be reading in poetry centres and museums in London between 6 and 9 August.

Emma McKervey’s Highland Boundary Fault, (Turas Press, 2024) includes poems based on a Scottish court case in her family history.

Linda McKenna’s Four Thousand Keys, (Doire Press, 2024) includes poems inspired by the story of Elizabeth Dunham who, in 1819, was charged with the theft of the keys of the Bank of England.

Milena Williamson’s Into The Night That Flies So Fast, (Dedalus Press 2024) deals with the case of Tipperary woman Bridget Cleary murdered by her family who claimed she was a fairy changeling.

The poets will be reading at the National Poetry Library at the Southbank Centre on Wednesday 6 August
https://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/whats-on/special-edition-femina-culpa-poetry-justice/

The Bank of England Museum at lunchtime on Thursday 7 August
https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/museum/whats-on/2025/femina-culpa-poetry-readings

Keats House Museum on the evening of Thursday 7 August
https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/events/femina-culpa-poetry-crime-and-justice

Bethlem Museum of the Mind on Saturday 9 August
https://museumofthemind.org.uk/whats-on/events/femina-culpa-poetry-inspired-by-victorian-womens-experience-of-crime

As well as reading their poems the poets will include discussion where the audience can find out more about how historical events and the information in archives inspired their work. These events will present a range of different poetic voices and showcase the work of these poets based in Northern Ireland.

The poets are delighted to be reading at such iconic venues and are grateful to Culture Ireland for funding towards the tour. Culture Ireland regularly assist artists with funding to enable them to showcase their work overseas. This round of funding is part of Culture Ireland 20 (twenty years of funding artists to travel overseas).