About Rachael
Rachael Hegarty (born 1968) is a poet and educator from the Northside of Dublin, Ireland. She has been scribbling since she was a child, hiding under the stairs to escape housework. Her father gave her a dictionary, her siblings handed her pens and paper, and her mother gave her a copy of William Blake's Songs of Innocence and of Experience for her 13th birthday. Hegarty credits her mentor, poet Paula Meehan, with encouraging her to keep going with the poetry.
Teaching Philosophy
Alongside her writing, Hegarty teaches English literature, language, creative writing, and academic skills at the Trinity Access Programme and CDETB. She believes marginalised students should be at the centre of education — a conviction that runs through both her classroom and her poetry.
Life & Career
Born in Broadstone, Dublin
Broadstone, Dublin
The seventh of ten children, Rachael Hegarty's early childhood was spent between the canals of Broadstone.
Holy Faith Sisters, Finglas
Mother of Divine Grace & St. Michael's, Finglas
Primary and secondary education with the Holy Faith sisters, in the Finglas community that would shape so much of her later writing.
Boston & University of Massachusetts
Boston, USA
Moved to Boston at 18, worked as a babysitter, and won a scholarship to attend the University of Massachusetts Boston.
MA in Irish Literature, Trinity College Dublin
Trinity College Dublin
Returned to Dublin and completed a master's degree in Irish Literature at Trinity College Dublin.
Shimane, Japan
Shimane, Japan
Lived and worked in Shimane, Japan, before returning home to Dublin.
MPhil in Creative Writing, Trinity College Dublin
Trinity College Dublin
A second master's degree, this time in Creative Writing, deepening the craft encouraged years earlier by mentor Paula Meehan.
Ph.D., Queen's University Belfast
Queen's University Belfast
Completed doctoral studies at Queen's University Belfast.
Educator, Trinity Access Programme & CDETB
Dublin
Teaches English literature, language, creative writing, and academic skills, believing marginalised students should be at the centre of education.
Poet Laureate for Dublin 1
Dublin 1
Named Poet Laureate for Dublin 1 as part of Poetry Ireland's Poetry Town initiative.
Presenter, Poetry People, RTÉ Radio 1
RTÉ Radio 1
Presents Poetry People on RTÉ Radio 1, bringing poetry to a national audience.
Awards & Honours
- The Shine Strong Award
- The Francis Mc Manus Prize
- The Over the Edge New Writer of the Year
Rachael was co-selector and mentor for the 2025 Eavan Boland Award, an honour that celebrates the legacy of Eavan Boland as poet, trailblazer, and teacher.