Filíocht Ó Draíocht

Anne O’Gorman, Draíocht’s Children & Youth Arts Officer tells us more about this wonderful project and Draíocht’s commitment to Education.

“Just before Christmas we unveiled 9 new works of art in the public spaces in Draíocht. What was special about these works of art is that it took 250 children, 9 teachers, 4 illustrators, 6 writers and 1 Arts Centre to create them!

In September of this year, Draíocht arranged for 9 schools in Dublin 15 to work with a children’s writer, looking at different ways of enjoying poetry and then writing your own. These writers were warmly welcomed and after 5 weeks of hard work and good fun, 9 poems were sent to Draíocht (1 from each school). Illustrations were commissioned from professional artists, and the resulting artworks are now permanently displayed in the public spaces of Draíocht, both as a celebration and tribute to the creativity of children in Dublin 15 and a way of allowing them make their mark on the building.

The successes of this project for Draíocht were many, including how supportive and welcoming each class was in relation to the project, how lucky we were to engage such talented writers and illustrators, and how much the children got out of it. When we sat in on work happening in class, we were bowled over by the quality of questions that children were asking the writers and the talent and skill evident in what they were working on. We sincerely hope that each child who participated continues to find ways to express their unique and special self, whether that is through creative writing or another artform of their choice. Working in an arts centre is in so many ways a blank canvas, you can work through such a wide range of artforms (our next children’s event for example is a tailor made classical and jazz concert for children aged 10-12yrs, taking place in February). We want to make as many artforms available to as many children in our neighbourhood as possible. The arts centre is a more vibrant place for their participation!.” Anne O’Gorman

The schools who participated in Filíocht Ó Draíocht were Scoil Bhride Girls, Scoil Bhride Boys, Scoil Oilibheir, Scoil Mhuire Sinsear, Mulhuddart National School, Sacred Heart National School, Castleknock Educate Together, St. Francis Xavier Snr NS and St. Philip the Apostle Snr NS.

The writers who took part were Seamus Cashman, Mae Leonard, Áine Ní Ghlinn, Gina Moxley, Aislinn O’ Loughlin and Larry O’ Loughlin. The illustrators who took part were Alan Clarke, Adrienne Geoghegan, Sarah Kernaghan and Olwyn Whelan.

The illustrators who took part were Alan Clarke, Adrienne Geoghegan, Sarah Kernaghan and Olwyn Whelan.

List of Poems, Schools, Professional Writers and Illustrators:

‘Cool Granny’
Created by Gina Moxley with 4th Class at Scoil Olibheir, Blanchardstown.
Illustrated by Adrienne Geoghegan.

‘Running Late’
Created by Mae Leonard with 4th Class at Castleknock Educate Together National School.
Illustrated by Sarah Kernaghan.

‘Timmy’s Little Fall’
Created by Aislinn O’Loughlin with 5th Class at Scoil Bhríde Boys National School, Blanchardstown.
Illustrated by Alan Clarke.

‘The Blakestown Rap’
Created by Larry O’ Loughlin and Seamus Cashman and the Homework Club of Scoil Mhuire Snr National School, Blakestown.
Illustrated by Adrienne Geoghegan.

‘The Wizard’s Choice’
Created by Áine Ní Ghlinn and 5th & 6th Classes at Mulhuddart National School.
Illustrated by Olwyn Whelan.

St Philip’s Poetic Playground
Created by Mae Leonard and 4th Class at St. Philip’s Senior National School, Mountview.
Illustrated by Olwyn Whelan.

‘Farmer Joe’
Created by Aislinn O’Loughlin with 6th Class at Scoil Bhríde Girls National School, Blanchardstown.
Illustrated by Sarah Kernaghan.

‘Yo Ghost’
Created by Gina Moxley and 6th Class at St Francis Xavier Snr National School, Castleknock.
Illustrated by Olwyn Whelan.

‘The Jordan Blues’
Created by Larry O’ Loughlin and Seamus Cashman with 4th Class at Sacred Heart of Jesus National School, Huntstown.
Illustrated by Alan Clarke.