The Education Centre, Tralee in collaboration with West Cork Education Centre and Poetry Ireland commenced a series of Creative Writing workshops for Primary Teachers entitled Creative Journey in Writing on Friday evening last. Despite the inclement weather participants braved the elements to attend what was an exciting and liberating workshop.
The workshops are designed to inspire and promote innate creativity and respond to the wishes of participants to ensure maximum benefit for teachers and ultimately for their students/pupils in Kerry school classrooms.
Distinguished author, poet, playwright and Kerry native Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill facilitated the workshop alongside published poet, teacher and founding member of the Beara Writing Experience, Paddy O’Connor.
Nuala’s work draws upon themes of ancient Irish folklore and mythology, combined with contemporary themes of femininity, sexuality, and culture. Her work has been translated by well known Irish poets such as Medbh McGuckian, Michael Hartnett and Seamus Heaney amongst others. She is a member of Aosdána, and is a regular broadcaster on Irish radio and television. Some of her works include An Dealg Droighin (a collection of Irish poetry) (1981), The Water Horse (1999) and The Fifty Minute Mermaid (2007). Her poem Mo Ghrása (Idir Lúibíní) features on the Leaving Certificate syllabus. Her work affords teachers the opportunity to express their own creativity and to consider ways in which they can mediate the integrated Primary Curriculum and develop Literacy adopting a more innovative approach.
Paddy O’Conor is a retired teacher of English and former Deputy Principal of Beara Community School. He is also a founding member of the Beara Writing Experience which provides writing workshop retreats for both beginners and experienced writers alike.
The next workshop will take place in The Education Centre, Tralee on 27 February from 5pm – 7.30pm. All primary teachers are welcome to attend.
Information from: 066 71 95000 E: noreen@edcentretralee.ie
