90 students take part in the Big Tree Arts Initiative

IARNROD Eireann hosted a reception at the Adamstown Station on Tuesday morning for Transition Year students from Adamstown Community College.

The students have taken part in the Big Tree Arts Initiative which started at the college last September.

Up to 90 TY students were offered creative workshops in photography, music, filmmaking, and creative writing, to get them thinking about what makes a community and how they can contribute positively to that.

One of the challenges in Adamstown, expressed by all ages and ethnicities, is finding spaces where projects that encourage integration can take place.

Crosscare Lucan Youth Service received funding for the project from the Arts Council, South Dublin County Council Arts Office and SDCC Community Department and worked with the principal and staff at Adamstown Community College to run over 80 workshops for students.

The photography students produced a series of images of the legendary Big Tree near Londis. Portraits of themselves and images of the area are installed inside the station and on the railings at the approach.

Sue Stanley of Iarnrod Eireann welcomed the collaboration with students, and said the creative work has brightened up the station.

The launch event was attended by Principal Dave Anderson and his staff, John Gregg the Manager of Crosscare Lucan Youth Service, Maebh Butler from SDCC Arts Office, and local councillors, Joanna Tuffy, Derren O’Bradaigh, Paul Gogarty and Vicki Casserly.

Meanwhile students who took part in the creative workshops were out around Adamstown last week making a short movie, which they hope will be entered into film festivals.