Tony Walsh

May 24, 2019

Tony is a Manchester-based poet working around the UK and internationally, writing and performing for both children and adults. His writing came to worldwide attention with the now iconic performance of his poem “This Is The Place” at the vigil for the victims of the Manchester Arena bombing in May 2017. Tony subsequently performed to a global audience at the One Love stadium concert to raise funds for the victims, whilst licensing the poem to raise approaching £200k for Manchester charities.

A passionate and inspiring educator, Tony has collaborated to create two picture books for children and has worked in schools, colleges and universities around the UK and as far away at Turkey and Kazakhstan. He was commissioned to write the poem to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the BBC’s flagship Blue Peter programme.

Tony was awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Salford, becoming a Doctor of Letters, in 2018 and is delighted to be named as an Ambassador for National Poetry Day 2019.