Just for Our Pupils: Events for the Children of Claddagh National School
Wednesday, 15th November
In School - Author/Illustrator Niamh Sharkey
Niamh Sharkey is an author and illustrator of children's picture books. A former Laureate na n-Óg, she is also the creator of the Hugglemonsters, which has been made into an animated series on Disney Junior.
Her books have been translated into over 20 languages, and have won numerous awards, including the prestigious “Mother Goose” award, and the “Bisto Book of the Year”
Niamh will be reading from her work, talking about working with Disney and doing a monster doodle with two of our junior classes.
In School - Author Carina Ginty
Galway couple Carina Ginty and her husband, graphic designer John O'Connor, are the creators of the Captain Cillian Adventures, a series of colourful books about the maritime adventures of a miniature seafarer.
The books are packed with Irish and ocean facts, with key Irish words from the stories and their phonetic sounds. Readers get a real sense of our coastline and what lies beneath and on the seashore with this fun Irish seafaring character.
In School - Multilingual/Multicultural Story Lab
Demonstration of fun activities that help promote the inclusion of minority languages and cultures in our school, including a Talking Pen to communicate in over 40 languages, and listening to stories in multiple languages. Resources were purchased for the school using a Dept. of Justice Community Integration Grant.
Hosted by our English Language Teacher and Léargas Language Teacher of the Year Annie Asgard.
Thursday, 16th November
In School - Author Patricia Forde
Patricia Forde has published three picture books, lots of Easy Readers, and in 2015, her first novel, The Wordsmith, with Little Island.
She has also written plays and several television drama series for children and teenagers.
In another life, she was a primary school teacher and the artistic director of Galway Arts Festival. She lives with one husband, two teenagers, and a dog called Ben in a house in the middle of a small wood not far from Galway City. In her spare time, she collects vintage children's books and reads them late at night.
In Katie's Claddagh Cottage - Storyteller/Author Eddie Lenihan
Eddie Lenihan is one of Ireland’s best-known and well-loved storytellers.
For decades, he has gathered folklore from around Ireland, keeping the ancient storytelling tradition of the seanchaí alive and entrancing both old and young alike with tales of the human, natural and other worlds.
Eddie has published several books of Irish folklore and, in more recent years, found great success with his Tales of Mystery and Magic, a highly entertaining collection of original stories for children, featuring none other than Fionn Mac Cumhail and the warriors of Na Fianna.
In School - Author Dave Rudden
Dave Rudden had written lots of short fiction and poetry before his big break came in 2016 with the publication of Knights of the Borrowed Dark. This was the first novel in a new trilogy about a secret war between a race of shape-shifting, misery-eating, occasionally-waistcoat-wearing monsters and the warriors sworn to stop them. Its sequel, The Forever Court, was published earlier this year.
As well as writing his “a magical debut” (The Guardian), Dave is a quite properly hilarious storyteller, and enjoys discussing crisps and his magnificent beard with large groups of children.
friday, 17th november
In School - Author/Playwright Emma Heatherington
Emma Heatherington has written many novels for adults, three musicals and over 40 short plays and films. In recent years, she has begun writing for children, and, working with her husband, Jim, has created the children’s musical Scarecrow Fred.
Emma, who lives in Tyrone with Jim and their five children, is also working on her first novel for younger readers.
In Claddagh, Emma will be doing her Scarecrow Hop workshop with junior children, and also taking senior children for a creative writing workshop.
In School - Author/Illustrator Derek Mulveen
Oisín the Brave began when Oranmore couple Derek Mulveen and his wife, Michelle Melville, started writing down the stories they were telling to their first child.
Since then, Derek and Michelle have set up their own publishing house, and Oisín has been on several exciting adventures with his friend, Orane the dragon. Drawing inspiration from Irish mythology, the books richly feature both Irish heritage and language.
Derek will be reading to junior children, as well as doing a monster doodle.
In School - Fighting Words Creative Writing Workshop
Founded by Roddy Doyle and Seán Love, Fighting Words provides free tutoring and mentoring in creative writing and related arts to as many children, young adults and adults with special needs as can be reached. Its programmes and workshops are delivered mainly by volunteer writing tutors.
We are delighted to welcome this very special creative writing workshop to our school.