1916 Commemorative Poem to Hollyfort women

I was delighted to be asked to write a poem to celebrate the opening of the 1916 Commemorative Garden by the Bann River in Hollyfort, The garden is  dedicated to Aileen Keogh and Maire Comerford, Hollyfort women activists during the 1916 Rising.

These women knew their place

for Aileen and Máire

We plant a garden

on cleared, re-seeded ground

to remember new beginnings

look towards the hills of Hollyfort

where hope dared to dream

in the tobacco fields and ditches.

We plant three granite stones

for remembrance

a path to lead the way

a flag to fly

in the face of despair.

These women nursed their visions

never faltered in the chase

for in the story of this land

these women knew their place.

New Poetry Therapy Journal from IPTN (Boland Press)

IPTN is publishing a biannual ezine, Poetry Therapy Journal Read it online here

Time and Tide by Shed Poets

The Shed Poets have published their latest collection of poetry, Time and Tide (Boland Press).

Here is one of my poems included in the book

Pulling Her Strings

She was a marionette
a teller of stories
by attachment
controlled
by a disembodied voice
pressing buttons
from behind

a velvet curtain

          until she found
a pair of scissors
and once again
the stage was hers.

Workshop Sessions:

Carol Boland - Finding your Rhythm
A workshop where music and poetry combine to connect us to our inner rhythm. Finding the beat in poetry with the help of a conga drum, we will discover our natural flow so helping to keep us in sync with our true selves.

Theresa Kelly - Poetry Immersion
An invitation to meet ourselves at a deeper level by opening to the words of published poets, accompanied by music and movement. Engaging with the poetic words to help us find our rhythm and express it through the healing power of our own words and poetry.

Ger Campbell's interactive workshop combines poetry and reflective writing with a movement meditation. We will engage with the concept of “rattling the bones” a practice used by Native American and African tribes. This practice helps release tensions, fears and anxieties held in the body. Through movement meditation we can centre and ground ourselves thus freeing us up to write and explore the rhythm of the empty spaces within us and allowing for a deepening awareness of self.

IPTN Annual Conference

Date for your Diary

The annual IPTN conference will be held on Sunday 11 October 2015. This will be a one-day event at a venue to be decided. Workshops will revolve around 'the rhythm of life'. I will be facilitating one of the workshops and hope to see you there.

Irish Poetry Therapy Network Workshop - Sunday 26/7/15

I am holding the next irish poetry therapy network peer group session at Grove Mill, Hollyfort, Gorey, Co. Wexford on Sunday 26th July from 2pm to 5pm.
Fee: €10 and €5 for IPTN members.Numbers limited so fee should be paid to reserve your place.
The Irish Poetry Therapy Network run regular sessions on self-discovery through poetry in Kilkenny and Gorey and all are welcome to attend.

First Irish Poetry Therapy Practitioner

It was smiles all around when IPTN committee and my mentor Niall Hickey celebrated my becoming a qualified poetry therapy practitioner with iaPoetry - the first in Ireland. I am pleased to say there are several more iaPoetry trainees in the pipeline.

Theresa, Carol (PTP), Ger, Kay and Niall