The Poem and the Dream is a midsummer poetry workshop using dreamwork as a tool for poets to make connections to their poetry and as a guide to reading and understanding the poems of self and others. The focus will be poetry, making it and making it better. This workshop is suitable for those starting out and those already writing poetry.
        Paula and Juliet have been friends for over twenty-five years, and their complementary professional skills will generate energy, enthusiasm, and  insight. The objective of the workshop is to guide poets in their craftwork towards making stronger and more powerful poems; the journeys will be both exterior, in landscape and  tradition, and interior, in  psyche and body.
        Paula and Juliet believe that the nourishment Anam Cara and the Beara  landscape provide, together with the community of support they aim to encourage within the workshop, will provide a good grounding for  serious work and relaxed play.

Paula Meehan is an award-winning poet and playwright who has  published five collections of poetry, the most recent being Pillow Talk and Dharmakaya. A new collection, The Wolf Tree, is forthcoming  in 2009. She has been a gifted teacher of the craft of poetry for most of her working life and has conducted many residential workshops in Ireland, in the U.K. and in the U.S., where she studied for an MFA at Eastern Washington University.  She has been Writer Fellow in Residence in Trinity College Dublin, Writer by Association at University College Dublin and, in 2008, Poet in Residence at Dublin City University. She has worked with prisoners and with those in recovery programmes, as well as working with community-based projects in the area of Dublin city where she grew up.

        “Over many years and conversations with Juliet, I’ve been impressed  with how her dream readings resemble the kind of  scrutiny a poet  brings to the poem in progress, the probing for meaning and the pushing for coherence in image, in symbol,         in metaphor. I believe the combination of her dreamwork with my craftwork will open new paths,  which may be just overgrown, and very old paths, through to clear spaces where a poem, or a dream might flourish.”

Juliet Clancy met her dreamwork mentor, Jeremy Taylor, several years ago.  Jeremy is an internationally known dreamworker, author of several books including The Living Labyrinth and Where People Fly & Water Runs Uphill. He is founder of the Marin Institute for Projective Dream Work, in Northern California, where Juliet received her certification. Juliet has been described as a dreamwork doula. A birth doula is a person who offers continuous encouragement and reassurance to women  in labour as well as to prospective fathers; through night-time dreams  and waking dreams, we give birth to ourselves.   Juliet, who was born and raised in Dublin, has a Bachelor’s Degree in  Humanities and a Master’s Degree in Culture and Spiritually.

        "I was formally introduced to dreams while studying for my MA.  I was part of a dream group and found the process of  sharing dreams alluring. When I met Jeremy Taylor, I was hooked. It was in a Dreamwork group with him that I took the             chance of working on a re-occurring nightmare that I had as a child. As Jeremy says, 'There is no such thing as a bad dream only one that needs our attention.'  This dream, after so many years, wanted my attention.  Dreamwork is an effective and versatile tool for dismantling stereotypes, freeing ourselves from mental bondage and being fearless in looking at our relationships with others. Dreams help us  write our stories from the inside out. It takes courage to share our dreams."

“Are you an experienced painter desiring to break free of inner restraints to express more of who you really are in your painting? This workshop is designed to coach you to a breakthrough experience in your work through hands-on painting and creativity exercises aimed at developing a more personal and authentic voice.  This process is most successful for the intermediate to advanced to professional painter who is ready to go deeper into themselves in a gentle and fun way to find that pot of gold.”

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#3 Writing from Within
Double Rainbow:  Haiku and the Spiritual Dimension
Leaders:  Maeve O'Sullivan, Ireland, and Kim Richardson, England

Following the success of their first workshop, held at Anam Cara in July 2007, this workshop is designed to help you develop paths to your inner inspiration -- the path within. “Toward this goal, we work with the ancient medium of haiku poetry and its related forms, with their roots in Zen and its emphasis on mindfulness. Combining the haiku work with meditation, breath and light practices, the outstanding natural beauty of the Béara Peninsula and the peace and quiet of Anam Cara, our aim is to heighten levels of awareness and to open creative channels.”

From a participant in Writing from Within, #1:
This should be an experience in everyone's life....Can't begin to tell you how much I took away from your wonderful seminar. I use things daily. I was so fortunate to be able to participate at this time in  my life... The workshop will remain as one of the truly memorable times of my life... Only wish I could be there again.
                                                                                          Judith Tobin, artist and writer, New Mexico, U.S.A.

See also The Simply Haiku winter issue online at http://www.poetrylives.com/SimplyHaiku/SHv5n4/renku/labyrinth.html for the renku written by the Writing from Within #1 workshop participants.

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#4 Painting the Mystery of Ireland
Leader: Marianne J. Jansen, The Netherlands (www.debeeltenis.com)

"Painting Irish landscapes opens the mind and soul."

“Beara's mysterious panorama and ever-changing light and multitude of colours of Beara 's mysterious scenery will bring life into your imagination.  While exploring the artistic vocabulary of colour and tone, shape and spatial relationships, you will experience Ireland's magic.  You will be inspired to and enjoy capturing the multitude of colours and forms on paper or canvas.
        “The course is aimed at developing your self-confidence in technique and with materials, be it in the traditions of realism or those of abstraction. Throughout each participant is assisted personally, while benefitting from working in a group. Please feel welcome!   
     "Anyone can learn to draw and paint.  In my workshop, creativity always comes first. My lessons are aimed at giving participants the opportunity to develop various pictorial abilities. The artist 's materials have their own unique possibilities.  By exploring these, the student gains insight into their application; this, in turn, helps them to better develop their own vision.
     "In this workshop, we focus primarily on observation, taking Anam Cara 's stunning surroundings as a point of departure and touching upon important pictorial aspects like perspective, light and shade, composition and colour. Suitable for both the beginner and the more advanced student, each is presented with an individual programme aimed at further develop her or his artistic abilities.  Materials are of your own choosing (please bring these with you). At your request, a list of what you may need will be supplied.  Paper, drawing boards and easels are offered in situ.
 
From a participant in one of Marrianne's workshops at Anam Cara:
I learned to be freer, and I am more confident with my medium, using new techniques.  Marianne and the setting worked together magically to achieve my goals.  I loved it.
                                                            Marilyn Penrod, U.S.A.

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#5 Writing in Ireland: A Workshop
Leader:  Karen Blomain, U.S.A. (http://www.tobypress.com/books/trick.htm.)

A relaxed format workshop for writers at all levels of accomplishment -- from the novice wishing to try her hand at writing, to the seasoned writer who needs a jump start for his muse for a new project, to those wishing to challenge themselves in a different art form. Appropriate for all genres.  Non-writing spouses/partners welcome; they'll find the peaceful, Irish vistas the perfect getaway and may even find themselves drawn into their own creative outlets.
            Daily morning workshops and afternoons spent writing, touring, reading, hiking or enjoying the sea close by will be followed by conferences, dinner and evening presentations and/or discussion and readaround groups (Sunday through Friday). Accommodations:  All workshop participants will be housed at Anam Cara and Irish Bed and Breakfasts within a short walk (lifts provided when needed).  Breakfasts will be served were you are staying, and lunch and evening meals will be served at Anam Cara, unless special arrangements are made for picnic fare or a dinner at one of the local restaurants.
Participants will receive an optional reading list when they reserve a space by placing a deposit of €450 (Euro) by May 15.  Maximum of 12 participants.

From a participant in one of Karen's workshops at Anam Cara:
The time I spent with Karen at Anam Cara was one of the most inspiring and spiritually uplifting experiences of my life.  As an artist who works in academia, I know what it takes to bring creativity and daring to the process. Karen led with joy and intelligence and always brought truth to the table.

Nora Hussey, Artistic Director of Wellesley Summer Theatre and Director of Theatre and Theatre Studies at Wellesley College,
Wellesley, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

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