Breathing Space Conference a great success

Ger and Carol at Breathing Space weekend conference in Snowdonia, Wales with great speakers, facilitators and imaginative workshops in wonderful surroundings. Congrats to Jill Teague and all concerned.

Poetry and the Third Eye - 2017

Wishing Lines (Suzanne Power's Session)

Thanks to participants and facilitators of our 2017 Poetry Therapy Conference, we are pleased to announce another successful event in our PT calendar.

To illustrate the power of the occasion, here is our group poem:


Opening my Third Eye

I looked in the mirror
but held it slant
at first a sea of sky blue
reflecting back
this is my life
my choice
I choose freedom
surviving an act of love
to grow in self and worth.
See the splinter of stars exploding
and a lineage side-mouthed
the dead can't answer questions.
Now I have captured my soul
I dare you to break the spell
a place where only I can go -
you are braver
than you think you are.

Participants of 'Poetry and the Third Eye' Conference

Poetry and the Third Eye Programme

IPTN Conference - Sun 8 October '17

We are pleased to announce 

 IPTN Conference 2017 at

Ardgillan Castle

Balbriggan

Date: Sunday 8 October 2017
Time: 9.30am to 4.00pm
Cost: €80/€70 members  to include a light lunch.

Facilitators: Carol Boland PTP, Suzanne Power PTP and Ger Campbell PTP. Programme will be uploaded shortly.

Places are limited. So as not to be disappointed,  reserve yours now by emailing us at irishpoetrytherapynetwork@gmail.com


Ardgillan Castle and Demesne is situated in North County Dublin on an elevated coastline between Balbriggan and Skerries,32 kilometers north of Dublin City. The demesne is well signposted off the M1. The park consists of 194 acres of rolling open grassland, mixed woodland and gardens, overlooking the Irish Sea with views of Mourne Mountains to the north and Lambay to the south-east. Ardgillan is a sanctuary for many species of animals, mammals and birds for which the wooded areas provide a safe retreat from surrounding agricultural land.

IPTN Autumn Ezine

Self-Discovery Session 2 July '17

 IPTN self-discovery session with Carol Boland PTP was held on Sunday 2nd July 17 in Hollyfort. All those interested in poetry therapy were welcomed.

Cost of afternoon:  €20 (includ refreshments) €15 members
Time: 2pm to 5pm
Venue: Grove Mill, Hollyfort, Gorey, Co. Wexford
MOB: 0851138367
Email: irishpoetrytherapynetwork@gmail.com

Self-Discovery session with Gorey Writers

Lennon's Cross Centre, Annagh, Co. Wexford

Participants at the Self-discovery thro' Poetry session with Carol Boland PTP, produced this amazing group poem 

Sunday Afternoon

Because you were there
when despair for the world
comes a knocking on the door
she remembers what she is trying
very hard to forget
my dreams have taken the scenic route
so here, lets open those cage doors
undisturbed by roaming, hungry foxes.
Maybe my real mind is telling the truth
I fear for it because it has no defence
calming blues and light pinks
make time to smell the roses
simple things yet special
it’s too cold to lie down
where the wood drake rests.


23/4/17

Strategy Forum

IPTN Strategy Forum – A Brief Report

On Saturday 11th February 2017, a group of poetry therapy enthusiasts gathered in Dublin to discuss the issues facing the advancement of poetry therapy in Ireland. Some of those unable to attend the forum, including delegates from N. Ireland, Wales, England and US, sent emails outlining their views, all of which were included in the open discussion.

Areas of debate centred on the viability of sustaining PT training in Ireland without access to Irish-based mentors, and the possibility of a university – home or UK – validating an MA in biblio/poetry therapy facilitated in Ireland. The major trainers in poetry therapy this side of the Atlantic, Jill Teague (iaPOETRY), and Vicky Field (IFBPT), are almost at their capacity level for trainees either online or face-to-face. They both recognise there is a steady increase in the demand for poetry therapy training and feel that greater co-operation between the UK and Ireland would be beneficial for all those interested in the benefits of poetry therapy.

Finally, there was a general consensus for the need for greater publicity to keep IPTN and poetry therapy in the public eye. This will include PT sessions, IPTN’s outreach programme, media interviews, and wider distribution of our new information brochure. 

IPTN has now a mandate to seek recognition for Poetry Therapy in Ireland, in line with other creative therapies such as Art and Music. IPTN will maintain in contact with PT credentialing bodies, training mentors and MA validating bodies with a view to promoting this import creative and healing therapy. 

Carol Boland

March 2017

Self-Discovery Thro Poetry - correct mobile no

Please note the mobile number to confirm you place on Self-Discovery Thro Poetry session in Hollyfort on Sunday 2nd July is

0851138367

Hope to see you there!

Poetry Therapy Ezine V2 Issue1 Spring 2017

Gorey Writers Self-Discovery Thro' Poetry session.

 'Self-Discovery Thro' Poetry' afternoon with Gorey Writers on Sunday 23 April 2017 in the Lennon Centre, Annagh, Co. Wexford.
Carol Boland PTP facilitating.

All members of the Gorey Writers are welcome to attend.

New Page Added to Site

Check out our new page ' Training in Poetry Therapy' for details on how to train as a poetry therapist.

IPTN Membership

IPTN €15 annual membership renewal date has been set as 1st September. All existing memberships will run to 1st September 2017. Membership entitles you to a reduction of €10 on Conference fee and €5 on PT sessions.

IPTN charge €20 for a three hour group poetry therapy session. This year we plan to hold sessions in Kilkenny, Gorey, Belfast and Galway. We hope you will join us. Dates to be published soon.

Session in Sue Ryder House - Booklet

A Poetry Therapy session was included in the creative writing workshop Playing with Words, run by the Shed Poets, in Sue Ryder House, Dalkey in November '16.
Congrats to all those who participated and for the poems subsequently published in their booklet.
Sorry, sold out!

Strategy Forum - Future of Poetry Therapy in Ireland

An IPTN Strategy Forum: The Future of Poetry Therapy in Ireland will be held in

Dublin on Sat 11 February 2017 at 2pm in Spencer Hotel, foyer, Dublin.

All those interested in this important creative arts therapy, its recognition and advancement in Ireland are encouraged to join the gathering.

Please email IPTN if you wish to attend.

Suzanne Power qualifies in Poetry Therapy

Congratulations to Suzanne Power on receiving her Poetry Therapy Practitioner credential from The International Academy for Poetry Therapy. 

That makes 5 persons qualified in Poetry Therapy in Ireland. Well done Suzanne from all at IPTN.

Ivor Browne Interview on RTE Radio

Listen here to Ivor Browne and his interview with Miriam Meets. Very interesting view on psychotherapy and medication.

The Artist/Analyst is Present

Psychoanalysing Documentary Film-
8th Psychoanalytic Film Festival

SCREENING & DISCUSSION: 'At the Interface between Creative Arts Practice and Clinical Psychoanalytical Practice',

Sat 4th February '17 : 12.30PM-3.15PM : IMMA

'Marina Abramovic: The Artist is Present' (2012, directed by Mathew Ackers and Jeffrey Dupre)

The film screening will be followed by a panel discussion with Noreen Giffney and discussants from the creative arts, curatorship, arts criticism, philosophy, psychoanalysis, psychology, art therapy, visual culture and film studies (Jacinta Lynch, Katherine Waugh, Grainne Casey and Lisa Moran)

Further details and events here