Mayo school showcases students' writing talents in new book

Ink & Imagination, a collection of poems, short stories and songs written by 20 creative writers in Ballyhaunis Community School, has been launched.

The atmosphere at the launch was very special.

You could hear a pin drop as students read extracts from their work on topics as diverse as appreciation of a much-loved grandmother or the trials of adolescence.

Author Liam Horan, who is studying for a master’s in creative writing at University of Limerick, played a key role in the writing workshops that led to the publication of Ink & Imagination.

He spoke to the assembled audience about the standard of writing in the publication.

Ink & Imagination emerged from Liam’s work with the students as part of his Creative Writers in the Community (CWIC) master’s module.

The launch was performed by Professor Eoin Devereux, University of Limerick.

An accomplished poet, Eoin spoke of how in the ten years of running the CWIC at UL, this was the first time a book had been published by a group of writers in the community.

He deemed the publication to be an amazing achievement.

The event came to a close with a performance by student Ethan Henry, accompanied by Alex Fitzmaurice.

Ethan sang a song, Lost in Space, he composed himself on a topic close to his heart. The performance had a profound effect on all who attended the launch.

Subsequently, Ethan won the school-aged category of the Night and Day 2024 songwriting competition.

The MC at the launch was Adam Walsh, a Leaving Cert student who has charisma on tap. Adam has poetry and short stories published in the book.

Tributes were paid to English language teachers Ms Sharon Mulroy, Ms Danielle Coyne and Ms Aoife Hegarty, the driving forces behind the promotion of reading and creative writing in the school.

The group travelled to UL to meet the Creative Writing Department and to read their pieces in front of renowned writers such as Donal Ryan, Fí Scarlett and Eoin Devereux.

All three writers heaped praise on the quality of the work in the publication, which is available in four outlets in Ballyhaunis (Forde’s, SuperValu, Moran’s and Hopkins’) and two in Castlebar (Mulroy’s and Castle Book Shop).

Writers: Aaron Reidy, Adam Walsh, Aqeel Amjad, Ava Brennan, Ciara Gill, Éala Greally, Ellena Coffey, Emma O’Brien, Ethan Henry, Eva Boyle, Hazel Nolan, Logan Davis, Lucy Flanagan, Rachel Lawless, Rebecca Clancy, Sam Tynan, Sara Brennan, Shane Flanagan, Sinéad Mannion and Síofra Forde.

Editor: Liam Horan

Assistant Editors: Teachers Ms Sharon Mulroy, Ms Danielle Coyne and Ms Aoife Hegarty.

Cover design: Ava Padfield (Art student in the school).