The Poetry Canopy - a collaborative project with Monaleen National School, Limerick, Ireland

I am delighted to announce that the prototype of  my project 'The Poetry Canopy' will be installed at Monaleen Primary School in Limerick this November and will be co-created with the teachers and children of the school. The Canopy will be suspended in the reception of the new building for what is the second largest primary school in Ireland.

It will feature the school motto in English and Gaelic 'ní neart go cur le chéile' (there is no strength without unity) which feels particularly appropriate for the times we're living in. 'The Poetry Canopy' is an immersive, site-specific artwork that transforms a shared space into a poetic and participatory environment. Designed to be  suspended indoors or outdoors the Canopy contains individually crafted letters made with wire, crocheted wool and other materials, of a chosen poem or text - in this case the school motto. The Canopy weaves together words, memory, and place, serving as both a welcoming gesture and a lasting connection to the school’s past.

This inaugural version of the Poetry Canopy will incorporate artefacts salvaged from the old school building—small architectural fragments, objects, and textures that carry the imprint of memory and community. Intertwined with these will be hand-crafted additions made from recycled and natural materials: shells, twigs, paper flowers, and locally found items. These elements will hang from the canopy, inviting students, staff, and visitors to engage with their environment in new and reflective ways.
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As a fusion of poetry, sustainability, and community heritage, 'The Poetry Canopy' aims to foster a deeper sense of place and belonging. It offers a poetic framework through which children and adults alike can encounter the beauty of words, the significance of reuse, and the layered narratives that make up their shared space.



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