Young local writers featured in new book
Poems written by 72 children from the region have been published in the Eurochild Anthology of Poetry and Artwork. The poems were written during poetry residencies and workshops with poet Mary Melvin Geoghegan in counties Roscommon, Westmeath, and Longford.
Children from Emper NS, Co Westmeath accompanied by their Principal Catherine Keenan and parents made the long journey to Cork to present the Eurochild Anthology to the Lord Mayor of Cork in Cork City Council's Chambers on Friday last, June 18 last. The book will be touring the country throughout the autumn and will come to Longford on October 19 next as part of the Children's Aisling Festival.
The anthology opens with a poem written by Eoin Duggan from Ballinamuck NS, 'Like The Beard of a Pig', which was written during a poetry residency held at the school last year in conjunction with Children's Books Ireland and the Longford County Library.
Mary Melvin Geoghegan told the Leader that she has been amazed at the quality of work that has been produced in the schools.
Prior to starting each workshop, Mary prepares a theme for inspiration, researches it and then talks to the children about it. Topics like the poetic understanding of string theory, how the snow got its name, the grief of Haiti, and many more provided inspiration for the children.
St. Mel's Cathedral was another topic and it inspired 'It's More Than About Religion' by Diarmaid O'Nuallain, Stonepark NS and 'When The World Went On Fire' by Raymond Raleigh, Stonepark NS. Another poem by Aiman Azam from Stonepark NS, 'I was Never Inside', expresses the feelings of a Muslim child for her adopted place.
"So many poems excited me during the workshops when I first read them. I'm still in awe," said Mary.
She thanked all those who helped in creating the poetry. "I would like to thank all the children and teachers who contributed to this anthology, by helping to shape my time in the classroom as one of total harmony and co-operation between the muse and her blessings."
Mary paid tribute to former Stonepark NS Principal, Eamon Brennan "who constantly encouraged his pupils to engage with poetry", a tradition that has been continued with the new Principal Micheal O'Suilleabhain.
She also thanked Dolores Tuohy, Principal of Ballinamuck NS and Teresa Carney, Principal at St. Mel's NS Ardagh.
The book will be available in Eason's and local book store outlets.
The poets who feature in the publication include:
Ballinamuck NS - Brona Brady, Darren Culliney, Stephen Donnelly, Erin Duffy, Eoin Duggan, Daragh McPartland, Barry Smith; Ballyleague NS - Amy Curley, Cian Donohoe, Adam Farrell, Luke Glennon, Cormac Thompson, Steven Walsh; Emper NS - Conor Byrne, Patrick Connolly, Sean Keenan, Charlotte Kiernan, Aidan Murtagh, Chloe Murtagh; Moyvore NS - Ciara Dixon, Shane Mahon, Lee Mears, Alex Moorhead, Colin Murtagh, Dillon Rushe; St Colmcille’s NS Aughnacliffe - Danielle Bissett, Jennifer Kiernan, Joey Moran; St Columba's NS, Cloonagh, Dring - Aiden Brady, Leanne Earley, Paul Leonard, Aine Lynch, Elaine McGivney, Laura McGivney, Tom Meehan, Mary Rogers; St Dominic's NS, Kenagh - Femi Arisa, Patrick Clarke, Thomas McGann, Raissa Mufuta, David Noad; St Mary's NS Aughnagarron - Luke Comaskey, Aisling Cunningham, Helen Donohoe, Danielle Kane, Eimear Kane, Megan Kane, Ultan O'Hara, Nathan O'Reilly; St Mel's NS Ardagh - Sinead Bannon, Sinead Farrell, Thomas Farrell, Niamh Finnan, Courtney Heffernan, Shauna Heslin, Colm Hoystead, John Keenan, Jordi O'Rourke Grant, Robert Smyth, Joanne Whyte; Stonepark NS - Aiman Azam, Diarmaid O'Nuallain and Raymond Raleigh.
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Sunday 05 February 2012
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