This article is from page 25 of the 2012-01-17 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 25 JPG
CLARE County Library have launched a new competition to highlight the crucial role played by family carers.
Following the success of last year’s poetry competition as part of a partnership involving Caring for Carers, Clare County Library and the Ennis Book Club Festival, a new nationwide poetry competition for 2012 has recently been launched.
The theme of this year’s competition is ‘Springtime’, which organisers hope will inspire the many family carers around the country to put pen to paper. Poems should be no longer than three verses and entries should be submitted by Friday, February 17, to Brigid Barron, Caring for Carers Ireland, National Office, 2 Carmody Street Business Park, Ennis. Email bbarron@caringforcarers.org.
The winner will receive a weekend stay for two in an Ennis Hotel during this year’s Ennis Book Club Festival, which takes place from March 2 to 4, with a weekend pass to all of the festival events. Four runners-up will receive two tickets to the Joseph Woods and Paula Meehan poetry event as well as two tickets to the Maureen Gaffney reading. Both of these events will take place at the Ennis Book Club Festival on Saturday, March 3. Further details on the festival are at www.ennisbookclubfestival.com.
Speaking at the launch, Helen Walsh, County Librarian, said “The library is delighted to be involved in this poetry competition. I see it as a very worthwhile community project. Caring for Carers carry out invaluable work throughout the country and the library has a particular interest in socially inclusive events such as this.”
According to Brigid Barron, Research and Program Manager with Caring for Carers Ireland, recognising the role of family carers in the home is crucial. She 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. We hope they will get involved in this poetry competition and we greatly look forward to receiving their entries.”