Memory Makers – Reflections and Recollections, Cocooners Special Edition launched

Fingal County Council’s Community Development Office has launched “Memory Makers – Reflections and Recollections Cocooners Special Edition 2020”, which features inspirational poems and short stories from cocooners across the county.

The beautifully designed publication celebrates the voices of cocooners, reflecting and recollecting on memories, current or past events or fictional work inspired by these unprecedented times we are living through.

In March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic the Government advised many older people or those who were classed as vulnerable due to ill health to cocoon and remain at home in order to minimise their risk of infection and prevent further spread of the virus.

The Fingal Community Call Forum was set up in response to the Government’s request to assist the at risk members of our community to access essential services.

In response to this, “Cocooning – A collection of activities for those self-isolating” was developed by the COVID-19 Fingal Community Response Project which is a collaboration between Fingal County Council, Age Friendly Fingal, Castleknock Community Centre Laurel Lodge, Blakestown Community Centre, Corduff Resource Centre, and Huntstown Community Centre.

One element of this publication was the Short Story & Poetry Competition. Cocooners were invited to submit a short story or poem that evoked a memory of a moment in time or a special event that connected in some way to what is happening in Ireland today.

The response was impressive with 39 entries received in the poetry section and 41 submissions in the short story category. The breadth and depth of the written work is truly impressive.

Two volunteer judges, Marie McCaffrey and Domhnall Drislane had the difficult task of selecting three awardees in each category.

They both found the experience of reading all the entries a great privilege and most rewarding experience wishing they could present more awards and wish to congratulate everybody who submitted work.

The winners are:

Poetry Category:

1. Tom Sullivan – “Come play here with me grandad”
2. Peter Owens – “Cocooning in the lockdown”
3. Rita Ennis – “Cocooning reflections”.

Short Story Category:

1. Pauline Mooney – “Hello sweetness”
2. Tom Reilly – “The morning after”
3. Colleen Davey – “A Covid story”

Mayor of Fingal Cllr David Healy was full of praise for all entrants.

“I would like to congratulate all those who took part in this wonderful publication which records and documents the creative talents of our cocooners,” he said.

“2020 has been a year like no other, and publications are so important and it provides an outlet for those whose lives were restricted during the year but also records the unprecedented times.

“I would also like to thank the two judges who carefully considered all the entries and had the unenviable task of choosing the winners.”

Chief Executive AnnMarie Farrelly said:

“Fingal County Council’s Community Department has played a major role providing practical supports to people, particularly cocooners during the Covid-19 period, and this publication is a perfect example of that.

“I would like to thank all those who took the time to create and share their work in what is a wonderful addition to the Memory Makers collection, and which will be looked upon in years to come as a reminder about these times.”

The first edition of our Memory Makers Reflections and Recollections collection was published in 2008. The intention was to create a collection of some of the amazing work created by our seniors from across the county. It was a way of creating a keepsake of precious memories for seniors involved in our memory makers competition and their families.

Due to current Government guidelines and restrictions we are not able to do celebrate the authors at a physical event. We are coinciding this soft launch of publication with the Positive Ageing Week taking place 28 September-2 October, which is organised by Age Action.

This publication is an important historical document and can soon be found in Fingal Libraries and the National Archive.

A soft copy of the publication is also available on the Fingal County Council website.