Trinity Inspires The Next Generation Of Writers

Posted on: 09 March 2016

An exhibition of 65 handmade books designed and illustrated by Dublin children, and inspired by works from the Pollard Collection at Trinity College Dublin, has just opened in the Long Room of the Old Library.

The exhibition, which was launched by award-winning children’s author Erika McGann, marks the culmination of Bookmarks, a two-month writing, illustration and bookbinding programme that featured workshops with authors, artists and children’s book specialists.

The project is organised by the Trinity Access Programmes (TAP), which aims to inspire children to become the next generation of writers, illustrators and publishers.  

This year’s Bookmarks involved 5th class children from Drimnagh Castle, Scoil Cholmcille Ballybrack and Scoil Eoin Kilbarrack. The schools are all linked to Trinity through TAP, which supports students from under-represented backgrounds to progress to further education.

Over the course of the Bookmarks programme, the children attended a series of workshops delivered in their schools by poet and children's author Catherine Ann Cullen, artist Hannah Maguire and editor and ‘book doctor’ Síne Quinn.

Each child wrote, illustrated and bound his or her own unique book, focusing on this year’s theme ‘Between Two Worlds’. Other workshops delivered by staff from the Department of Early Printed Books and research students from the School of English helped the children to develop their story-lines and appreciate vintage books in Trinity’s Special Collections.

Speaking about the project, Kathleen O’Toole Brennan of TAP commented: “TAP is very proud of the Bookmarks initiative and the unique opportunity it provides for children to acquire new skills and to be exposed to the world of children’s literature in a very hands-on way.

“This year the quality of books produced by the children on the theme of ‘Between Two Worlds’ is excellent. We are delighted to unveil these beautiful works of art and literature. Our outreach programmes attract over 4,000 students annually and with continued involvement, these students and their peers will successfully make the transition to both second and third level.”

Trinity Librarian and College Archivist Helen Shenton further added: “It is inspiring to see the books that these children create. We are honoured to show their handmade volumes in the beautiful and awe-inspiring surroundings of the Long Room, acknowledging their achievements and encouraging them in their futures.”

The exhibition is on public display in Trinity’s Long Room until March 25.

Additional information:

• As part of Bookmarks, the children were introduced to the Pollard Collection, consisting of over 10,000 historic children’s books bequeathed to Trinity by librarian Mary ‘Paul’ Pollard. They also had access to a blog written by Catherine Ann Cullen (tarryathome.wordpress.com) which gave them background history about selected books and authors in the Pollard collection, information about its eccentric collector, and photographs of the children's own work in progress.
• For the theme ‘Between Two Worlds’, books selected from Pollard included Gulliver’s Travels, Robinson Crusoe, fairy tales such as Red Riding Hood and Beauty and the Beast, and books by neglected Irish authors including The Adventures of the Three Bold Babes by S Rosamund Praeger (1867-1954).
• Some of this year’s book titles include Chillin’ with a Villain, Magical Mango and the Poison Ivy, The Cloudians, Bing Bong Saves the School.