It’s lovely to have one of your poems read by someone else, especially a younger voice – so thanks to Grainne & friends and to Roj for making the film. The poem was a modern take on the ‘Food glorious food’ moment in the film, Oliver and was part of a stage-play ‘More!’ devised with TY pupils from Colaiste Enda in Galway for an Afri (Action from Ireland) conference on food security – linking hunger and famine with war and conflict.
New TESOL book
I’m very happy to have a lesson based on my work with rain-sticks in schools in this wonderful new TESOL book on teaching the English language through creative writing. Hats off to the co-editors who have spent 4 hard years putting it together. Here’s a 1 minute video saying what it’s all about. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFHfpETGTSY
Bardic School Poetry Project
I’m very proud to have been part of this wonderful Galway 2020 Small Towns-Big Ideas project, working with local children to write poems about “being back in bardic school” reclaiming this important local (and national) history and shared heritage, as well as aiding conservation of something valuable to the community in Milltown, Co Galway. Each day we went ‘back to bardic school in our imaginations, the children played with combining words and dance rhythms into poems in true bardic style. We had some great follow up presentations to the whole community, along with guest poets and traditional musicians, organised by an inspired Aine Sheridan.
The poetic works of Belmont and Milltown primary schools to celebrate National Poetry Day
How to Bake a Planet Review
It’s always gratifying getting feedback, but I was particularly knocked out by this wonderfully thoughtful review from Thriveni C Mysore, an Indian woman writing for the February 2020 edition of Australian eco-poetry journal, Plumwood Mountain. (No 6, volume 1).
Thriveni C Mysore reviews How To Bake A Planet by Pete …
https://plumwoodmountain.com › thriveni-c-mysore-reviews-how-to-bake-…
Channel Magazine Launch
Tonight, Tuesday 22nd October, at 6.30pm is the launch in the Irish Writers Centre, Dublin of the first issue of a great new poetry magazine, “Channel” – with a focus on nature and ecology. I’m very happy to have a poem in there, about badgers. Congrats to the hardworking creative editors, Elizabeth and Cassia!
Words Lightly Spoken podcast
Delighted that my poem ‘The Wave’ is this month’s choice for Poetry Ireland’s Words Lightly Spoken podcast – and a chance to say something about the threat of global warming.
http://wordslightlyspoken.libsyn.com/
POETRY SUPPER
I’m really looking forward to reading at this poetry supper in the United Arts Club in Dublin, Friday 8th March. Then off to Cork on Monday 11th for an O’Bheal reading with wonderful Moya Roddy!Poetry Supper 8 March 19
MILLTOWN BARDS
I’m really excited about tonight’s event, Friday Feb 1st in Milltown, Co Galway, at this Galway 2020 event celebrating the local Bardic School that was operating between 13th-16th centuries. I’ve been working with the local children, making up a choral bardic poem celebrating the coming of spring, which they’ll be performing on the night, to a jig rhythm provided by their own feet – in true bardic style! I’ll also get a chance to read my poem ‘The Milltown Lass’ from Session, celebrating local legend, box and fiddle player, Rose Murphy. Lots more wonderful musical and poetic guests. Can’t wait!
International Orangutan Day!
Roj Whelan recently made this short film of one of my poems, about orangutans and citizenship.
AFRI education film
Afri (Action from Ireland) based in Dublin, has just made this short film about it’s global issues work in schools. I feel very privileged to be working with such an inspiring and empowering organisation. Please watch if you’re a teacher, or send on to any teachers, or parents who’ d like their children to be involved in this kind of exploration.
