English PEN, in collaboration with Irish PEN/PEN na hÉireann and the Estate of Seamus Heaney, has released the shortlist for the 2026 PEN Heaney Prize, which honors a single-author poetry collection published in the U.K. or Ireland that reflects on the cultural and political influences on human experiences and relationships.

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The finalists for the 2026 prize include:

1. **Egrets, While War** by Tishani Doshi (Bloodaxe Books): Judges praised this collection for its vibrant and dextrous poems that explore a wide range of subjects, merging ancient themes with contemporary issues of personal and civic responsibility, all against the backdrop of historical and present wars.

2. **Mer de Glace** by Małgorzata Lebda, translated from Polish by Mira Rosenthal (Fitzcarraldo Editions): Described as a vivid collection, the judges noted its focus on the natural world's decline due to human actions, delivered with measured attention to detail.

3. **Dwelling** by Máighréad Medbh (Macha Press): This collection was commended for its deep interrogation of language, family, and history, presenting a transformative reading experience.

4. **plastic** by Matthew Rice (Fitzcarraldo Editions): Set during a twelve-hour shift in a plastic manufacturing facility, the poems challenge conventional notions of poetic subject matter through everyday routines and reflections on social realities.

5. **Pain Songs** by Daniel Sluman (Nine Arches Press): Sluman's work is recognized for its intimate exploration of bodily experiences related to pain and pleasure, examining relationships and the politicization of disability with tenderness and insight.

6. **October** by Nur Turkmani (Hajar Press): This collection reflects on the aftermath of war in Beirut, highlighting themes of hope, friendship, and love amidst a backdrop of crisis.

The winner will be announced on December 1, 2026, at a ceremony at the Howard Assembly Room in Leeds, England, in partnership with the National Poetry Center. The judging panel includes poets Victoria Adukwei Bulley, Vona Groarke, and Stephen Sexton, with Mick Heaney serving as Chair.

Previous award winners include Tom Paulin, recognized for his 2025 collection **Namanlagh**, and Susannah Dickey, who received the inaugural award for her debut collection **ISDAL** in 2024.