The Lucky Penny 1916 Literature Project & Exhibition

November 2015 - April 2016 - Workshops in Schools
19 April - 23 July 2016 - Exhibition, Draíocht’s First Floor Gallery

Enjoy The Lucky Penny 1916 Project Video - Draíocht's Largest Education Project to date - The project began in November 2015 with a tour to over 3000 6th class and 1st year Dublin 15 pupils by local Castleknock author Brian Gallagher, who spoke to each of the 107 classes in 31 schools and read an extract from his book “Friend of Foe”, which is set in 1916.

Then 3 Classes were chosen to make a 1916 comic book with Artist Alan Nolan: Ms Ní Dhubhghaill’s 6th Class, Scoil Mhuire Senior School, Blakestown; Mr.Doherty’s 6th Class, Scoil Thomais Laurel Lodge, Castleknock; and Mr. Curtin’s 6th Class, Mary Mother of Hope, Castaheany, Clonee.

The project was officially opened by Deputy Mayor of Fingal County Council, Cllr Eoghan O’Brien.

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With initial inspiration from local author Brian Gallagher and his book ‘Friend or Foe’, reaching over 3000 Dublin 15 pupils, three 6th Classes were chosen to work with illustrator, writer and cartoonist, Alan Nolan. Inspired by a specific moment in ‘Friend or Foe’, pupils were introduced to the concept of how a coin could move across a revolutionary Dublin of 1916, making its way through the misery, chaos and upheaval of war. Pupils worked exhaustively, using themes and hints from Brian’s book, along with learning from tours to Collins Barracks and thorough research with their fantastic class teachers, to begin to shape and build characters and stories that, with the help of Alan would slowly develop into a full length cartoon, full of adventure and peril.

The resulting cartoon strips were exhibited in large scale vinyl in Draíocht's First Floor Gallery. The exhibition was accompanied by a full colour published comic book, along with a short film documentary which was screened at the exhibition opening on Monday 19th April 2016.

This project has been made possible with generous funding from Fingal County Council and Centenary Committee Funding.

MORE - Enjoy a digital version of the published Comic Book