Creative Writing Course Successfully Concluded

A series of classes from 19:00 to 21:00 on 5 successive Tuesdays concluded last night, 25 March 2014.  The classes took place in The Old Schoolhouse, Bellurgan, Jenkinstown, Dundalk, Co. Louth, Ireland.  The school by day is used as a creche.  The subject of the classes was creative writing.  The objective was to create confidence as well as to instil skills.

Photo: Seán Crudden

Left to right: Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes OMD PhD, Breege Treanor, Ann Connor, Bríd McDonnell

12 attended the first class in the series and 7 the last.  Students wrote a lot and read aloud their own work.  The technicalities of the craft of story writing were well-taught and put into practical execution.  Participants in the class learned the shape of haiku and sonnet and constructed some of their own. 

The atmosphere in each class was calm, businesslike, good humoured and everyone kept their eye on the ball.  Linda Newe the teacher encouraged every individual and maintained a positive and optimistic outlook.  Hers is the art which conceals art.  A teacher to the manner born.

Photo: Seán Crudden

Left to right: Ann Connor, Linda Newe, Bríd McDonnell

IMPERO is extremely grateful to Setanta, the local community development organisation, for the use of the old school and particularly to Tommie McGuinness. 

Photo: Seán Crudden

The series of classes was provided by Louth Meath Education and Training Board for IMPERO and organised by Sinéad Fearon, Community Education Facilitator, Louth Meath Education and Training Board.

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Autumn Interim Meeting; Saturday 26 October 2013

Sean Crudden, secretary, relaxing before the IMPERO meeting which was held in The Old Schoolhouse, Bellurgan, Jenkinstown, Dundalk, Co. Louth, Republic of Ireland, starting at 14.00 on Saturday, 26 October 2013.

Photo: Anne Muldowney

Anne M. Muldowney relaxes with a little 7-up after driving from Stamullen for Saturday’s meeting.

Photo: Seán Crudden

The secretary recited a short prayer to open the meeting; Veni Sancte Spiritus.

Present: Mrs. Anne Marie Muldowney, chairperson: Seán Crudden, secretary: Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes OMD PhD, mentor: Michael O’Hanlon.

Apologies: Fr. Paddy Larkin, Leonard Hatrick, Edward Stephen Crudden, Peter Murphy, Kevin McGeough, Michael Farrelly.

The secretary was directed to write to Andrei Abramov, Chief, NGO Branch, United Nations; in response to his letter of 8 April 2013 indicating that IMPERO’s application for ECOSOC consultative status is closed.  The meeting decided unanimously that there was no point in pursuing the application further now and that the matter should be allowed to rest.

The secretary recommended the report “Breaking Down the Silos” summarising the UN consultation “World We Want 2015” dealing with economic development.

Funds are low.

The old Church of Ireland school, Bush, was suggested as a possible venue for future meetings, by Michael O’Hanlon.

It was decided to consult Brian Larkin, Greenore, on fund-raising possibilities.

The secretary proposed to write an article on indymedia.ie about assisted decision making.  It was suggested he consult with Micheal O’Hanlon, a former school principal and school guidance teacher.  It was felt that assisted decision making was something difficult to legislate.  Is it possible to regulate practice in this area?  The secretary’s proposal was approved.

The meeting approved a proposal from Sinéad Fearon to provide training in writing and dramatic voice production for members of IMPERO.  Sinéad is director of community education for Louth/Meath Education and Training Board.

The chairperson reiterated that patients were happier if they were recognised as people and treated as people.

The Archbishop suggested the following theme for the ENUSP seminar slated for Bucharest in December; How are cuts and austerity affecting mental health?

Reporting on the North Louth policing committee of which he is a member representing IMPERO the Archbishop pointed to intimidation and unreported crime.  He agreed to the secretary’s request to seek formal discussion in the committee of police relations with mental patients.

The date of the Spring interim meeting was fixed for Saturday 22 February 2014 at 14.00 in The Old Schoolhouse, Bellurgan.

Annual Assembly 2013: The Old School House, Bellurgan

The annual assembly of IMPERO took place in The Old School House, Bellurgan, Jenkinstown, Dundalk, on Saturday 15 June 2013 starting promptly at 14.00.

Present: Anne M. Muldowney, chairperson; Seán Crudden, secretary; Kevin McGeough, joint-treasurer; Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes OMD PhD, joint treasurer; Fr. Paddy Larkin, retired parish priest of Lordship and Ballymascanlon; Peter Murphy; Michael O’Hanlon, retired principal of Bush Post-Primary School.

Apologies: Michael Farrelly, vice-chairperson; Kevin Hynes; Joan Hardy, mentor.

The minutes of the previous annual assembly held on 16 June 2012 were read by the secretary and adopted unanimously on the proposal of the Archbishop seconded by Kevin McGeough.

The secretary read aloud his journal for 22 May 2013 and also for 23 May 2013 the day the EPF (European Patients’ Forum) plenary took place in The Royal Marine Hotel, Dún Laoghaire.  The conference addressed the issue of “active patients’ involvement in health care,” and “self-management.”

The meeting heard that cash in the Ulster Bank, Dundalk, in IMPERO’s account, had dwindled to less than 50 euro.  The 3 joint treasurers had not met in the past year.  “We do not need money,” someone remarked.

It was agreed without objection that the following team of officers would operate for the coming year.  President; Ita Daly: chairperson, Anne M. Muldowney: vice-chairperson, Michael Farrelly; secretary, Seán Crudden; joint treasurer, Joan Hardy; joint treasurer, Kevin McGeough.

Other members who will serve on the central committee are as follows: Peter Murphy, Eric Cuthbert, Dermot Mooney, Edward S. Crudden.

Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes was appointed mentor for the coming year with unanimous approval.

The meeting was lively throughout and there were many pertinent questions asked.  Topics arising included, UNCRPD (United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities), the purpose and role of IMPERO; capacity legislation; definition of mental illness; guidance; young people; peer support; the broken leg theory of mental illness i.e. help, recovery and no stigma.  The secretary mentioned the presidential commission getting under way in the US and President Obama’s interest in the whole question of “mental health.”  Seán also pointed out that the Vatican is looking into the reasons why so many mind-altering drugs are being prescribed to young people.

The next interim meeting of IMPERO was fixed for Saturday 26 October 2013 starting at 14.00 in the meeting room of Our Lady of The Wayside Church, Jenkinstown, Dundalk, Co Louth.

The next annual assembly was fixed for Saturday 14 June 2014 starting at 14.00 in The Old School, Bellurgan.

The secretary remarked that thanks were due Tommie McGuinness, a very obliging man, for the use of The Old School House; a building renovated, owned and operated by the local community.

Fr. Larkin recited the Lord’s Prayer to open the meeting.  The archbishop spoke a short extempore prayer at the end.

Seán and Anne took a few informal photos when the meeting ended.

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Smashing Times Theatre Company

Photo: Eoin Kirwan

Seán Crudden stands up to speak from the gallery at the SmashingTimes Theatre Seminar for Dialogue and Training.  The theme of the seminar was, “Women: Peacemakers or Agitators.”

The seminar took place in The Táin Theatre, Jocelyn Street, Dundalk, on Friday 8 March 2013 and Saturday 9 March 2013.  Seán participated on both days and had a whale of a time.  Archbishop Michael Desmond Hynes OMD PhD attended on Saturday and found the going tough.

The underlying methodology was based on the principles of “Theatre of The Oppressed.”

The seminar was part of the Acting for Peace Project funded by the International Fund for Ireland.

The centre piece of the seminar was a solo bravura performance by Cathy White of the play, “Thou Shalt Not Kill,” written by Paul Kennedy.  Cathy and Paul took part on Saturday in a post show discussion and improvisation involving 2 facilitators, Idan Meir and Chrissie Poulter, as well as all those attending the seminar; about 50 souls in all.

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