With a variety of exceptional authors running Creative Writing this term, its an exciting time to get involved in the exciting world of the written word.

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Waterford Youth Arts Creative Writing programme will be taking place this term on Saturday up at St. Patrick's Gateway and Waterford Central Library. This is the only programme of its kind in Ireland, catering to young writers aged from 7 to 18, and members have been recipients of the Sean Dunne Young Poets Award and the Hot Press ‘Write Here, Write Now’ competition.

The programme has developed over the last number of years, and has hosted a number of highly respected writers and poets: Dave Lordan, Stephen James Smith, Mark Roper and Billy Roche to name but a few. The group have been involved in the annual Waterford Writers Weekend since 2010 which allows them to showcase their work and celebrate the talent of our young writers.

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​Our team of youth creative writing facilitators includes Mary O'Donohue and Hannah Carberry. 

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Mary O' Donoghue is a young poet, playwright, actor and performance poet. Her first published works featured in We Already Have a Voice, published by Waterford Youth Arts.

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Mary is recognised for her poetry and performance poems and has appeared in online content for Poetry Day 2021. In 2022, Mary was commissioned by Waterford Youth Arts to write the short play The Fir Grove for younger performers and outdoor performances, directed by Sinéad Hourigan and performed by the 12 - 14 yrs at Wyse Park, Johns Lane, Waterford.

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Mary performed her poem at the launch of ‘Youth Arts Now’ Research report by John O’Brien at Smock Alley, Dublin on 31st January 2023.

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In theatre, she has appeared in productions with Waterford Youth Arts including Animal Farm by George Orwell directed by Rhiann Jeffreys. A Silent Message by Martina Collender (2022) a one woman show exploring the story of a victim of sexual violence;  in 2021 Mary played Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet directed by Jim Nolan for Waterford Youth Arts, Mary was nominated for a Waterford News & Star Green Room Award for her performance in the role. 

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Hannah Carberry runs the 7 - 14 creative writing workshops. Hannah Carberry is a writer from Waterford City. Hannah has an MA in Playwriting and Dramaturgy from NUI Galway with her undergraduate education from University College Cork. Hannah works primarily in theatre.

 

She is a former youth member of Waterford Youth Arts later attending University College Cork where she was an active member of UCC Dramat. Hannah has written short plays and spoken word pieces for The LIT Young Writers Festival, Waterford Youth Arts, UCC Dramat, NUIG Dramsoc and Waterford Spraoi.

 

In 2021, Hannah was a recipient of the Arts Council Agility Award, which facilitated her to develop and workshop her first full-length play, Grasp, together with Theatre Royal, Waterford. Hannah is currently Creative Writing facilitator at Waterford Youth Arts to young writers aged 7 to 14 years and also is working towards her first full production for theatre.

 

In 2023, Hannah was the recipient of Waterford News & Star 2023 Green Room Awards Artist Bursary. 

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