Interview with Dr. Siobhán Morrissey Rethinking Enid Blyton I thank Dr Siobhán Morrissey, University of Galway, School of Education, for her participation in this interview on Enid Blyton, primary school reading, reading practices, AI, Irish Indigenous literature and for sharing her personal reading experiences. Siobhán Morrissey specialises in studies on Enid Blyton and is busy… Continue reading Rethinking Enid Blyton
Tag: Literature
Remembering Paul Durcan: A Poet shaped by Childhood and Adolescence
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Durcan “Bring me back to the dark school – to the dark school of childhood: To where tiny is tiny, and massive is massive.” https://www.rte.ie/radio/doconone/647306-radio-documentary-podcast-paul-durcans-mayo https://www.newisland.ie/shop/p/paul-durcans-diary Paul Durcan, Pól Mac Duarcáin, born in Dublin in 1944, was one of Ireland’s most distinctive and celebrated contemporary poets. His unique voice, combining surrealism, social critique, and deeply… Continue reading Remembering Paul Durcan: A Poet shaped by Childhood and Adolescence
Why We Don’t Dream Like That: Rethinking Childhood and Fantasy in India
By Dr Supriya Baijal, Museum of Childhood Ireland’s Literature and Media Team member Introduction Growing up in India, I never stumbled upon enchanted wardrobes or magical portals in the books I read. Instead, I found lively fables, moral lessons, and clever folk tales—often featuring talking animals, wily tricksters, or noble kings. Stories like those from… Continue reading Why We Don’t Dream Like That: Rethinking Childhood and Fantasy in India
Remembering Jennifer Johnston: A Voice That Bridges Generations
“We read real books, right from the age of four up to 17. We also read history books. But it always seemed to me that history books were written by people who were trying to explain some enormous mess that we’d all got into but were never going to be able to explain. Whereas novelists… Continue reading Remembering Jennifer Johnston: A Voice That Bridges Generations
Michael Farry on Reading in Childhood
Rockfield NS showing the original two rooms of the school. These are now a small section of a much enlarged school. On reading in primary school, and with a special mention of the Famous Five, Enid Blyton series Books were scarce in rural Sligo in the 1950s and early 1960s when I attended our small… Continue reading Michael Farry on Reading in Childhood
Rediscover Timeless Tales
Rediscovering Timeless Tales: The Enduring Magic of Joan Aiken, Mollie Hunter, and Violet Needham Introduction: An Invitation to Revisit Forgotten Classics I often return to books from my childhood—the kind of stories that offered wonder, excitement, and a hint of danger. It’s like reconnecting with an old friend: comforting, familiar, but always full of surprises. Recently,… Continue reading Rediscover Timeless Tales
Learning About Mental Health Issues and How to Deal With Them Through Children’s Literature
By Allycia Susanti, Museum of Childhood Ireland In recent years, the topic of mental health has received more attention because it’s gotten more recognition as a crucial part of human well-being and productivity, not only for adults but also for children. After all, adults are not the only ones who would benefit from having the… Continue reading Learning About Mental Health Issues and How to Deal With Them Through Children’s Literature
Shakespeare Lives
Shakespeare Lives through Kenneth Branagh on Stage and Screen For Cruinniú na nÓg 2018 we have an Exhibition and workshops at the Museum of Childhood Ireland office. Few have done more to celebrate and popularise the work of Shakespeare than actor and director, Kenneth Branagh, born in Belfast in December 1960. From his early days… Continue reading Shakespeare Lives
Heritage Week-Childhood: What Books Taught Me
Heritage and Education: Learning from our Heritage “Engaging with our shared heritage – in Ireland and across Europe – presents a rich source for learning, and an opportunity to rediscover and reconnect with the knowledge, traditions and skills of our ancestors.” Exploring the role of literature, children, the passing on of knowledge, learning, and the… Continue reading Heritage Week-Childhood: What Books Taught Me