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Visions & Revisions: An anthology of new writing by Junior Cycle Teachers [selected extracts]
Foreword by Sheila O'Flanagan "This unique collection of work by new writers is a testament to the power of words, taking chances and using our imaginations. Now, more than ever, we need to find our creativity, raise our voices to each other and share our experience. This collection couldn’t be more timely." POW! Portfolio of Writing Project 2019–2020 for teachers is a partnership between JCT Arts in Junior Cycle and Fighting Words. Twenty Junior Cycle teachers attended a series of workshops at Fighting Words to draft, redraft, edit and publish this collection of work. This creative writing programme offers teachers the time and space to explore and consider possibilities around the creation of portfolios across all subjects at Junior Cycle. Fighting Words is a creative writing organisation established by Roddy Doyle and Seán Love. First opened in Dublin in 2009, and now with locations across the island of Ireland, Fighting Words aims to help students of all ages to develop their writing skills and explore their love of writing. www.fightingwords.ie Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT) is a dedicated continuing professional development (CPD) support service of the Department of Education and Skills. JCT aims to to support schools in their implementation of the new Framework for Junior Cycle (2015) through the provision of appropriate high quality CPD for school leaders and teachers, and the provision of effective teaching and learning resources. www.jct.ie
Foreword by Sheila O'Flanagan
"This unique collection of work by new writers is a testament to the power of words, taking chances and using our imaginations. Now, more than ever, we need to find our creativity, raise our voices to each other and share our experience. This collection couldn’t be more timely."
POW! Portfolio of Writing Project 2019–2020 for teachers is a partnership between JCT Arts in Junior Cycle and Fighting Words. Twenty Junior Cycle teachers attended a series of workshops at Fighting Words to draft, redraft, edit and publish this collection of work. This creative writing programme offers teachers the time and space to explore and consider possibilities around the creation of portfolios across all subjects at Junior Cycle.
Fighting Words is a creative writing organisation established by Roddy Doyle and Seán Love. First opened in Dublin in 2009, and now with locations across the island of Ireland, Fighting Words aims to help students of all ages to develop their writing skills and explore their love of writing. www.fightingwords.ie
Junior Cycle for Teachers (JCT) is a dedicated continuing professional development (CPD) support service of the Department of Education and Skills. JCT aims to to support schools in their implementation of the new Framework for Junior Cycle (2015) through the provision of appropriate high quality CPD for school leaders and teachers, and the provision of effective teaching and learning resources. www.jct.ie
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Niamh Ní Bhraonáin<br />
us and a voice from inside shouts, ‘Grad song coming up!<br />
Everybody in.’<br />
‘We can’t miss this, let’s go.’ Laura splits Luke and Darryl<br />
apart and throws her arms over both <strong>of</strong> them. ‘Right boys, gis a<br />
queen’s chair inside.’<br />
‘Aye, aye, Captain!’ Luke replies, saluting with his <strong>new</strong>ly<br />
rolled cigarette between his fingers.<br />
They take a leg each and clumsily rush towards the entrance.<br />
The bass line to Thin Lizzy’s Dancing in The Moonlight fills the<br />
carpark before the door slams shut after them and the noise<br />
turns shadowy. It’s just me, Darryl’s date and a fresh stream <strong>of</strong><br />
urine left.<br />
‘Do you want to go in?’ I ask.<br />
‘Nah, that’s alright. It’s nice out here.’ She takes a deep<br />
breath in through her nostrils and leans against the wall before<br />
letting gravity pull her to the pebble strewn ground.<br />
I realise how drunk she looks.<br />
‘Do you want to play Twenty Questions?’ she smirks up at<br />
me with tired eyes and my body joins her on the damp ground<br />
before my mind can keep up. Something feels right about staying<br />
with her, it’s like I’m supposed to.<br />
‘What is something you are certain you’ll never experience?’<br />
She asks this with a sense <strong>of</strong> whimsy that doesn’t suit her<br />
and I suddenly become aware <strong>of</strong> how sober I am. I laugh and<br />
without words, <strong>of</strong>fer her my suit jacket. She nods and leans<br />
forward to allow me to place it over her shoulders.<br />
‘I don’t think I’m in the frame <strong>of</strong> mind to be answering<br />
things like that.’<br />
‘Fair enough,’ she replies. ‘Do you want to know my answer?’<br />
‘Gewan.’<br />
‘Being sober at a GAA club.’<br />
She makes herself laugh with this comment and sluggishly<br />
falls into my shoulder.<br />
‘I’m Cormac <strong>by</strong> the way,’ I extend to shake her hand.<br />
‘Adrienne.’<br />
Niamh Ní Bhraonáin is from Ballymun<br />
and has been teaching for two years with<br />
English as her main subject. She first visited<br />
Fighting Words as a transition year student<br />
in 2012. Niamh says it has been a surreal<br />
experience returning as a teacher and doing<br />
the entire process again. She is very proud<br />
to be a part <strong>of</strong> this collection.<br />
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