Pictured are Michelle Flatley, Clinical Nurse Manager 2 St Patrick’s Ward, Susan Millar DuMars, Poet and Guest Speaker, Margaret Flannery, Arts Manager, Aoife Cunningham Poet and Eileen Flynn, Assistant Director of Nursing, for Medicine and Cardiology.
Saolta Arts was honoured to host the launch of ‘Circus of Circles’, Aoife Cunningham’s debut poetry collection at University Hospital. The event, held on Wednesday 11 December, was a warm celebration of art, healing and community. Susan Millar DuMars, officially launched Circus of Circles, with music provided by Francis Edwards.
Aoife is an emerging Irish poet and artist. At the age of sixteen, Aoife began writing poetry after a difficult period with her mental health. She began turning her days into poetry, prose and rhyme. This quickly became a passion and writing became her lifeline. Aoife wrote many of the poems in her collection while in hospital. Friends, family, attended the launch and staff who had cared for Aoife during her hospital stay.
Aoife chose to have the launch in hospital to thank the staff who cared for her and to pay tribute to Kevin Higgins, her mentor and former Writer in Residence at the hospital. Kevin, who also taught Aoife at the Galway Arts Centre, has made a lasting impact on Aoife and the hospital community.
Margaret Flannery, Saolta Arts Director, said: “We were delighted to launch Circus of Circles at University Hospital Galway, celebrating the resilience and creativity of Aoife. Aoife is a remarkable poet whose journey has been both inspiring and deeply moving.”
Susan Millar DuMars shared her thoughts on Aoife’s work: “Aoife’s poems have been a lifeline for her through tough times. Now they are published, I believe they will be a lifeline for others who are also struggling.” She added, “To publish a first collection at twenty-two is remarkable. And it says a lot about Aoife’s character that she wanted to launch the book here in the hospital, so she could thank the staff who looked after her.”
Following Susan’s speech, Aoife read several poems from her collection, captivating the audience with her heartfelt and poignant words.
“Circus of Circles” is available for purchase from the shop.
Image credit: Andrew Downes, xposure