Happy Festive Season

Wishing you all a very happy festive season.
We are on our Xmas break now but will be in touch with you all again in the New Year.

IPTN Convention A Success

Some of the participants

Michael Murphy & Ger Campbell

At the Book Launch

Carol with book illustrators Don Conroy
and James Moore

IPTN Committee

The 2014 Poetry Therapy Convention held in October was heralded as a triumph by all involved. It was a most memorable convention with thought-provoking workshops, a stimulating talk by Michael Murphy followed by an open discussion, and concluding with the launch of the first Irish book on poetry therapy, 'The Backwards Book' by Niall Hickey,
Thanks to everyone who made the two days such a success. Roll-on next year!

Niall Hickey

Convention Update

We have just heard news that Cara, our facilitator for the Laughter Workshop on Sunday morning, has had an accident and has been advised not to fly. We hope she will be feeling well again, soon.
The good news is that Ger Campbell will run the Laughter Workshop in her stead.

Well-Being Through Poetry - Convention Brochure

First iaPoetry PTP to graduate in Ireland

Smiles all around!

                                           Theresa, Carol (PTP) Ger, Kay and Niall (mentor)

IPTN is pleased to announce that Carol Boland is the first iaPoetry, Poetry Therapy Practitioner (PTP),  to qualify in Ireland. This is a momentous occasion for us all. There are several more PTPs in the pipeline, thanks to Dr. Niall Hickey who is the sole iaPoetry mentor in Ireland.
From small beginnings  . . .  

Key Speaker at 2014 Convention Announced

We are delighted to announce that our Key Speaker on Sat 11 October '14 will be Michael Murphy.

Michael Murphy is a psychoanalyst with a busy practice in Sandyford, Dublin. He is also an award winning senior television producer / director and newscaster with RTE. He has lectured in psychoanalysis at St.Vincent’s University Hospital and University College,Dublin.

In 1990 he wrote Reading the Poems for Desmond Egan – the Poet and his Work, edited by Professor Hugh Kenner. In 1998 he wrote a book-length study, The Road to the World, a Lacanian analysis of Desmond Egan’s collection, A Song for My Father.

Michael’s number one best-selling literary memoir At Five in the Afternoon was published in September 2009. His sequel The House of Pure Being was published in September 2013, and his first poetry collection The Republic of Love was published in May 2013.

IPTN Peer Group Session Sat 14 June

The June Peer Group Session will take place at Grovemill, Hollyfort, Gorey, Co. Wexford on Saturday 14 June 2014 in the garden, weather permitting.

Please contact us if you would like to join the session and email us at irishpoetrytherapynetwork@gmail.com.

The contribution to cost is €10

IPTN Peer Group Session 10 May 2014

Our next IPTN Peer Group session is Saturday 10th May '14 at Decoy Cottages, Garlow Cross, Navan, Co Meath.
All those interested or curious about poetry therapy are welcome 2pm - 5pm.
Contribution to costs €10.
Look forward to seeing you there.
Directions to Decoy Cottages
http://www.decoycountrycottages.ie/

3rd Annual Poetry Therapy Convention - 11/12 October '14

This year, the 3rd Annual Poetry Therapy Convention will be organised by IPTN.

The convention will be held in bustling Kilkenny in Hotel Kilkenny and will be a two-day event on Sat 11 and Sun 12 October. We are currently working on a great line-up of speakers and facilitators and even a book launch! We will keep you advised of the details as they are confirmed.
Put the dates in your diary now.

Third Annual Poetry Therapy Convention

Negotiations are currently under way for the third annual poetry therapy convention.

Keep checking our site to find out how our plans are progressing.

March IPTN Session

The next IPTN session is on Sat 29 March in St. Kierans College on NUI campus, Kilkenny
To reserve your place - participants limited to 8 -  email irishpoetrytherapynetwork@gmail.com

February 2014 IPTN Session: Gorey

The February IPTN session was held in Hollyfort, Co. Gorey.
Both regulars and newcomers were welcomed to the session which dealt with child and parent relationships. Carol opened the facilitation with a 'soft start' piece of private writing and then introduced the poem, 'I wanted to be a cauliflour' by Gladys Wellington for discussion and writing prompts.
After a break for refreshments, Theresa facilitated the second half with the poem,'Those Winter Sundays' by Robert Hayden which, again, initiated interesting thoughts and memories around child/father relationships. A relaxed and enjoyable day of self-discovery.

Peer Group Session: Sat 18 January 2014

Our peer group session  on Saturday 18 January 2014, in the Glenroyal Hotel, Maynooth, was facilitated by Carol and Theresa on the theme, New Year. A lively and interesting dialogue coupled with heart-felt writing made the day a powerful experience.


http://glenroyalhotelkildare.com/