Inspiring authors to share stories of activism through art at Carrick's Ormond Castle

Three remarkable people who through their writings and visual art promoted social justice activism in the US and shone a light on threats to wildlife in Africa and the experience of refugees in Ireland will be the guest artists at the Creative Activism Connections event in Carrick-on-Suir this weekend.

The three multi-media sessions will showcase the fascinating stories of writer and film maker Rehan Ali from Pakistan and Ireland, Joann Malone from the US and Kathy Karn from Canada through interviews, readings, film, photography and art in the audio visual room of the town’s historic Ormond Castle on Saturday, May 31.

Carrick-on-Suir’s Tudor Artisan Hub arts collective is presenting the Creative Activism Connections series in collaboration with writer Margaret O’Brien of Writing Changes Lives and in partnership with www.stayincarrick.com

Margaret O’Brien described Rehan Ali, Joann Malone and Kathy Karn as “three remarkable creative people from across continents and generations who have used their creative practices to give voice, to help build a momentum for change in this world that they feel passionate about”.

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Writer and film maker Rehan Ali

Rehan Ali, who spent 10 years living in Carrick-on-Suir's Bridgewater House Direct Provision Centre as a child, will be the focus of the opening multi-media event called, The Evolution of a Story, from 11am to 12 noon on Saturday.

Through his writings and film making, Rehan has highlighted the experience of refugees who have come to live in Ireland.

Rehan will read from his published essay, “What’s in a Name”, and short story, “To those who knocked on Room 39”, based on his years growing up in Bridgewater House between 2005 and 2015.

The event will also explore how he went onto write and direct the short film, Water Under the Bridge, about a teenage boy who comes to live in Ireland and his experience of Direct Provision.

Rehan won the Virgin Media Discovers Short Film Competition in 2021 for the script and the film was premiered at the 2023 Dublin International Film Festival.

His experience as a refugee has now inspired Rehan to write a feature film script – a dystopian thriller about a young refugee - called “Your Past, My Future”. Those attending the Creative Activism Connections event will get a “mixed-media theatrical” taste of Rehan’s latest film project.

Illustrations created by artist Sheila Wood, based on Rehan’s story, “To those who knocked on Room 39”, will also be exhibited at the event.

Rehan said they will explore the evolution of the story through writing, panel discussion, film and rehearsed readings.

“Audience members will get to follow the growth and transformation of this important story in real-time with the very people behind its creation.”

Writer, anti-war and social justice campaigner Joann Malone from the United States

In the afternoon, the fascinating story of anti-war and social justice campaigner Joann Malone will be put under the spotlight at “The Power of Love: How a Nun Became a Revolutionary” event from 3pm to 4pm. The name of the event is the title of Malone’s new book about her life. She is also the author of “Awake to Racism”.

In conversation with Margaret O’Brien the 83-year-old former Sister of Loretto will talk about her social justice activism that included being arrested in the 1960s for protesting against the Vietnam War and against Dow Chemicals’ production of Napalm as part of a protest group called DC9 Action.

Margaret says she hopes the story of DC9 Action’s protest against the war and Dow will inspire young people today to “creatively resist official madness and build similar strong communities of hope, resilience and love”.

“In challenging times like the present, we need love and community more.”

Canadian photographer, author and conservationist Kathy Karn

The final Creative Activism Connections event will be “The Wisdom of Elephants: Let your passion and your creativity fuel your activism”.

It will focus on the work of award winning Canadian photographer, author and conservationist Kathy Karn, who has done much to highlight the threats to wildlife and nature in Africa.

Ms Karn, from southern Ontario, has written a photographic memoir called “The Wisdom of Elephants”. She will give a visual presentation and talk about her work with the audience at Ormond Castle on Saturday from 4.30pm to 5.30pm.

“Kathy’s approach to photography is rooted in compassion and curiosity,” says Margaret.

“Her images and stories remind readers of the goodness and beauty in the world, highlighting the profound connections between people and nature.

“She is motivated by the belief that ‘when we care, we’re more inclined to protect’ and hopes her stories and images inspire others to take steps toward making the world a better place.”

Margaret, who hosts the monthly Poetry Plus open mic sessions for writers at Carrick’s Brewery Lane Theatre, first met Joann Malone and Kathy Karn through an international online writing community she joined in 2020.

She first met them in person at a gathering of eight members of the group that call themselves, The Crows, in 2023. The Crows writers are visiting Ireland this week.

It costs €10 to attend all three of the Creative Activism Connections events at Ormond Castle this Saturday and €5 to attend one event.

To book tickets contact the Tudor Artisan Hub at 42 Main Street, Carrick-on-Suir, telephone (086) 2560609 or (051) 640921 or email: tudorartisanhub@gmail.com. To book online log onto: www.ticketsource.com/tudor-artisan-hub

Thank You

Linda Fahy of the Tudor Artisan Hub said she wished to thank Ormond Castle head guide Paul Hearn and supervisor guide Lorraine Egan, the OPW and Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for facilitating the Creative Activism Connections events.