Three primary school classes in East Meath are set to become published authors this year, releasing their own original works of fiction based on local history.
Funded by the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media under their Commemorations fund, Meath County Council Library Service appointed renowned Author Brian Gallagher as Writer-in-Residence to work with the schools on a project inspired by the destruction of a railway bridge on the main Dublin to Belfast line before the Battle of Drogheda.
A full-time writer whose plays and short stories have been produced in Ireland, Britain and Canada, Brian’s work also includes a large collection of historical fiction for children and young adults, including ‘Pawns’, ‘Friend Or Foe’ and ‘Taking Sides’. Over the course of six weeks, Brian worked with classes in Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh, Laytown, Réalt na Mara BNS, Donacarney and Whitecross National School to delve into the events of July 1922 and to guide them in using the facts to create their own piece of historical fiction. The budding writers learned about the importance of plotting and characterisation, as well as the importance of cover artwork and satisfying endings.
The Programme was launched in Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh, Laytown, on Monday, November 11, by Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council, Cllr Sharon Tolan and Director of Services, Barry Lynch. Addressing the class of writers, the Cathaoirleach said she was proud to be there to launch such a worthwhile project: “I’m delighted that you had the opportunity to collaborate with Brian and to see you working so diligently on your stories. Creative Writing is a great opportunity for schools to expand and think outside the box, allowing students to be creative and try different things.”
County Librarian Maedhbh Rogan-McGann said that this was the third Writer-in-Residence Programme organised by Meath County Council Library Service and that the combination of local history, creative writing and art has proven highly beneficial for teachers and students alike. Several students attested to this, one remarking: “It has given us a reason to look forward to Mondays!”
Once completed, the three classes will have their original works uploaded to BorrowBox, a free-to-use online service for library members, where they can be downloaded as eBooks for their friends and families to enjoy.
Pictured at the launch with some of the budding writers are (L-R): Principal of Scoil an Spioraid Naoimh, Bláithín Maguire; Director of Services, Meath County Council, Barry Lynch; Author Brian Gallagher; Cathaoirleach of Meath County Council, Cllr Sharon Tolan; County Librarian, Meath County Council, Maedhbh Rogan-McGann; Class Teacher, Aisling Brassil and Executive Librarian, Aoífe Carberry.