Poetry Puts Spring In The Step Of Family Carers

Pictured at the Ennis Book Club Festival in County Clare at the conclusion of the Caring for Carers 2nd annual poetry competition: (Back L-R) Terri O’Mahony (Competition runner up from Ballinacurra Gardens, Limerick City), Tracy King Kinlan (Runner up from Quilty, Co Clare), Noelle Dalton (Competition winner from Askeaton, Co Limerick), Brigid Barron and Mary McMahon of Caring for Carers Ireland; (Front L-R) Poets Joseph Woods (Director of Poetry Ireland) and Paula Meehan.

Family Carers throughout Ireland have participated in the second annual Caring for Carers Ireland poetry competition in association with the Ennis Book Club Festival and Clare County Library, the winners of which were announced at the Ennis Book Club Festival in County Clare which took place from 2-4 March 2012. The nationwide poetry competition asked Family Carers to compose poems on the theme of ‘Springtime’, representing renewal and new life. Noelle Dalton from Askeaton in County Limerick received first prize for her poem ‘Twilight’. Runners up included Gaia Charis from Castletownshend, County Cork, Tracy King Kinlan from Caherush, Quilty, County Clare, Terri O'Mahony from Ballinacurra Gardens, Limerick City, and Barbara Roche from Glenina, Ennis, County Clare. Brigid Barron, Research and Program Manager with Caring for Carers Ireland, explained that the purpose of the competition is to highlight the significant contribution made by thousands of Family Carers to Irish society. “Recognising the role of Family Carers in the home is crucial,” Ms. Barron said. “This form of care is the foundation of formal health and social care systems. Family Carers are a distinct group who provide care and also, very importantly, require care themselves.” Ms. Barron continued: “Family carers spend a lot of time caring at home and that often gives them time for reflection. The poetry submissions received by Caring for Carers and our co-organisers, Clare County Library and the Ennis Book Club Festival, have been excellent, very touching and expressive.” According to Helen Walsh, Clare County Librarian: “The library is delighted to have been able to support this initiative. Caring for Carers Ireland carries out invaluable work throughout the country and the County Library has a particular interest in socially inclusive events such as this.’ Caring for Carers Ireland is a national non-governmental organisation supporting Family Carers. Its primary objective is to ensure that policy makers are aware of the key issues which impact on the lives of 161,000 Family Carers and influence their abilities to continue to provide care. For further information visit www.caringforcarers.org or contact 065-6866515.