Cúirt Labs 2023

Cúirt International Festival of Literature would like to say a big thank you to everyone who participated in Cúirt Labs this year, and to The Community Foundation for Ireland for supporting the project. We worked with our Writer-in-Residence Mary Watson and writers Aoife Casby, Meadhbh Ní Eadhra and Luke Morgan to facilitate 34 workshops in 15 primary schools across Galway. Cúirt Labs brings arts and literature to children and young people to inspire, influence and educate and we hope that Cúirt Labs will encourage the next generations of writers, artists and cultural enthusiasts from across Galway.

In 2023 Cúirt Labs worked with students from First to Sixth Class, and focused on creative writing and reading in English and Irish, inviting the children to participate in story-telling, book-making and much more. 

We visited Newtown N.S. (Tuam), Scoil Chroí Íosa (Galway), Claregalway Educate Together N.S. (Claregalway), Scoil Naomh Padraig (Moylough), St. Nicholas’ Parochial School (Galway), St. Brendan’s N.S. (Ballinasloe), Brierhill N.S. (Castlegar), Scoil Chroí Naofa (Athenry), Claddagh National School (Galway), Castlegar National School (Castlegar), Scoil Mhuire (Oranmore), St. Patrick’s Primary School (Galway), Scoil na bhForbacha (Furbo), Scoil Fhursa (Galway) and Scoil Iognáid (Galway). 

Denise Charlton, Chief Executive, The Community Foundation for Ireland said “Access to the arts is an equality issue. We share the passion, energy and commitment of Cúirt Labs to break down barriers to that access. We are a Foundation, and with the support from our donors, we are on a mission for equality in thriving communities. Bringing the colour, joy and passion of creative writing and literature into young lives is central to that mission. The doubling of Cúirt Labs workshops to reach even more primary school students is a huge achievement. We are delighted and honoured to be a part of this expansion and the impact it will have on so many more young lives.”

Listen to what the children had to say in Aoife Casby’s workshops:

Scoil Naomh Padraig, Moylough, 5th Class 

Scoil Naomh Padraig, Moylough, 6th Class

St. Nicholas’ Parochial School, Galway, 1st and 2nd Class

St. Nicholas’ Parochial School, Galway, 3rd, 4th and 5th Class

St. Nicholas’ Parochial School, Galway, 5th and 6th Class

St. Brendan’s N.S., Ballinasloe, 4th, 5th and 6th Class

Brierhill N.S., Castlegar, 5th Class

Scoil Chroí Naofa, Athenry, 2nd Class