ONLINE POETRY THERAPY GROUP

IPTN (Irish Poetry Therapy Network) are currently running their first online poetry therapy group. It is a six week session, facilitated by Ger and myself, on the theme 'Fun and Nonesense poetry' and is a closed group where participants email their comments and reactions to each other on the various poems selected by the facilitators.

This is IPTN's first attempt at an online session so fingers crossed that it will be a success and, hopefully, the first of regular online group sessions.

Group Poetry Therapy Sessions

I am delighted that there has been such a positive reaction to my poetry therapy group sessions. I have now worked with Writers' groups in Wicklow Town and Arklow, a Gorey school group of 10-12 year olds (74 pupils), a Men's group in Arklow and a group in Gorey Library. I have also worked with many individuals in Dublin and Wicklow.

A big thank-you to all those groups and individuals who have had the courage to join me in my training.

Poetry Therapy Convention in Maynooth

Wonderful Poetry Therapy convention held in Glenroyal Hotel in Maynooth in September 2012 with speakers from the USA and UK.

Members of the Irish Poetry Therapy Network having a break between workshops.

Ger, Niall, Kay and me

IPTN Blog Up

Irish Poetry Therapy Network, or IPTN for short, have now uploaded their new blog. Find out all about them and their monthly Peer Groups at http://irishpoetrytherapynetwork.blogspot.com

Better late than never

 The launch of The Overture in May, in Ernies in Wicklow Town.

Re-dedication of Thomas Moore tree

Wicklow Writers, Nora, Carol and Martin read Thomas Moore poems at re-dedication of a tree to replace the one under which the famous poet and composer sat at the Meeting of the Waters, Avoca.

WWs at 'Problem Solving' poetry therapy workshop

A big thank-you to Wicklow Writers for joining me in a Poetry Therapy workshop. It was a lively and, hopefully, a worthwhile session for all involved.

Therapeutic Writing Course

This picture was taken at the end of a brilliant week's course on the Introduction to Therapeutic Writing in Falmouth Uni in UK. Vicky Field (cert poetry therapist) and Ann Taylor (lecturer) ran an informative and insightful introduction to the use of poetry and prose for the mental well-being of groups and individuals.

Participants came from Lithuania, France, Ireland and UK and from the medical and creative disciplines.

Therapeutic Writing Course

Introduction to Therapeutic Writing Summer School: 23-27 July 2012

As part of my training, I am attending a professional development Therapeutic Writing course in Falmouth University, which will demonstrate ways of using creative writing with clients or patients in a variety of health and social care settings.

It will show how reflective, personal writing can improve your own professional practice, in whatever field, and your general well-being. You will experience techniques for yourself as well as develop skills in facilitating others.

The course is led by Victoria Field, a writer and Certified Poetry Therapist, and Anne Taylor, a writer with experience of running writing groups for personal and professional development.

I'll let you know how it goes . . .

Dalkey Book Festival

The Dalkey Book Festival poetry reading by Shed Poets Bernie Kenny, Marguerite Colgan and myself was a great success, with over 30 people coming to hear us - despite competition from much higher profiled events! I sold more of my new book, so breaking the 100 sales target for the month. Wippee! Next target is 200 sales before the end of the summer. Feel free to help me meet this target!

Another Poem

Sorcery in Caheraderry

The home grows from a ring fort
through the clay of Caheraderry
as we fish lines of syllables
from grey Liscannor stone.
Across a marshy field, flag irises
shine through this greener grass
oversee the lift and return
of two coffin stools
legs turned vermicular and
splayed to take the load -
appanages of dignity that lightly
held a master’s weight a month ago.
And like the sorcerer’s apprentice
we witness the breaking of a spell
that turns coffin stools back
into occasional tables.

Gorey Guardian and Wicklow People

A big thank-you to The Guardian (Gorey) and Wicklow People for including an article on the launch of my poetry book, The Overture, at the Wicklow Arts Festival on 27th May 2012.
Read it here

Poets' Shed DVD Launch

The Shed Poets' DVD with poems read by the Shed Poets - of which I am one - was launched at the Space inside Arts Live Night, Wicklow Town, on 1st May 2012. A wonderful DVD with beautiful images and music played against poems read by the poets.

Congrats to Anna Wilson of Little Fish Films for a great production

Wicklow Writers and their Help the Hospice Day

I'm delighted to announce that Wicklow Writers sold over 100 of their book, 'Anniversary', at Supervalu, Wicklow Town, on sat 28th April 2012 to help Wicklow Hospice.

A great cause and a big thank-you to all those who bought our book, gave generous donations, and those who stopped and chatted to keep up our morale!

A Taster

Here is one of my favourite poems from my book, The Overture.

You can hear me read it on The Shed Poets DVD to be launched at The Space Inside on Tuesday 1st May 2012.

Crossing the bog of Alan

The road undulates
in a timeline of pits and pots
rising and slipping
like an unseen storm.
Seasick
in our ship of fools
we sail on
flatten the earth
brown and bursting
with bodies
spliced with decay.

 Who was this ancient man
 this giant dandy of beaten bronze
 whose manicurist knew him well.
 Had he dishonoured the king’s wife
 pulling her under his blanket
 with hands as soft as bog cotton
 feeding her buttermilk and cereal.
 
 And when they stabbed him
 threaded his arms with twisted hazel
 sliced his nipples
 did he remember her smell.

Wicklow Arts Festival - The Cosmic Gardens

Wicklow Arts Festival COSMIC POETRY

Sunday 27/05/2012 - 11:30
Venue: Cosmic Garden, An Tairseach Ecology Centre
Admission: FREE
Enjoy an elevenses cuppa before blast off.

A community poetry event in a garden setting - weather permitting! Wicklow Writers bring their poetry and invite you to bring yours (in words or music) to the Cosmic Garden.

BIG BANG......Drumming
STARS..........Wicklow Writers and you
THE UNIVERSE........come along everyone with your poem in your pocket

Any musicians out there would be most welcome at this event, too.

In association with Wicklow Writers & An Tairseach Ecology Centre

Launch of 'The Overture'

My first collection of poetry,'The Overture', will be launched in assoc with the Wicklow Arts Festival, on Sunday 27th May 2012 in Ernies Bar (upstairs) at 3pm.

All are welcome to join the party.