ECO-POETRY/CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP

At The Playtrail, 15 Racecourse Road BT48 7RE

The Playhouse’s Artitude: Climate, Culture & Circularity project is excited to host Belfast-based poet Niamh McNally at the Playtrail’s Eco-Base.

Niamh will invite you to draw inspiration from the beautiful woodland site of the Playtrail, and explore creative writing by connecting with trees, folklore and childhood memories of nature. This workshop aims to help rebuild lost connections to the natural world, hoping that by doing so we can understand and build a kinder relationship with nature, and think more carefully about the impact we have on it.

Niamh will also play with upcycled writing, taking a playful approach to the way we can reuse and reduce in all aspects of our lives.

You do not need to have experience of creative writing, poetry or nature writing, this will be a gentle, creative and fun place to explore working with nature and words.
Please bring a notebook and pen, though spare materials will be provided. Refreshments will also be provided, though you are welcome to bring and eat your own snacks.

Accessibility:
The Playtrail is an accessible site with accessible toilets and wide, flat paving and entrances. The Eco-Base building is accessible with a step-free level entrance. Quiet spaces are available and while dogs are not allowed on site, access and support dogs are welcome.
The Playtrail is accessible by public transport as far as the Racecourse road and has a large car park with accessible parking spaces.

Please note, the Playtrail shares a site with Ardnashee/Belmont School, when you turn in the main entrance off the Racecourse road, the Ardnashee/Belmont School entrance will be on your right, please continue the whole way up the ramped driveway through the large gates in front of you and into the upper car park. The entrance to the Playtrail woodland site and Eco Base will be in front of you to your right. A member of staff will be at the black gates to greet you.

For safety reasons, masks are encouraged indoors and we will ensure adequate ventilation. If you or anyone in your household are feeling unwell please do not attend the workshop.
If you would like to discuss any of this, please contact paula.larkin@derryplayhouse.com

Recommended Age: 18+
CLICK HERE to book your free slot

Niamh McNally is a Belfast-based poet. She completed her MA in Ulster University where she co-created and was a poetry editor for The Paperclip; a student-led, literary publication. Niamh is a workshop facilitator in The Seamus Heaney Homeplace and has been published in, The Tulsa Review, Tír na nÓg, Capsule Stories, The Galway Review, Snowflake Magazine, Aôthen Magazine, and HOWL: New Irish Writing. Her poetry has featured on the BBC and in two climate crisis films, ‘It Seems’ and ‘Defining Hope’. Niamh’s poem ‘If Stone Could Speak’ was showcased by Bushmills as promotion for The Causeway Collection and her first solo publication ‘New Impressions’ was published by The John Hewitt Society for the Look North Festival 2023. Twitter @NiamhyMcNally

About Artitude: Climate, Culture & Circularity is an exciting community engagement project grounded in the circular economy, that uses the arts and creative practice to encourage behaviour change and challenge attitudes to waste, consumption and climate action. The project is led by The Playhouse in partnership with Zero Waste Northwest, Northern Ireland Resources Network, Queens University Belfast and Derry City and Strabane District Council.