Author:

Catherine Ann Cullen

Catherine Ann Cullen is an award-winning poet, children’s writer and songwriter who was born in Drogheda, County Louth. She is the inaugural Poet in Residence at Poetry Ireland from October 2019. She has worked as a writer in residence, workshop facilitator and visiting author in schools from naíonraí (pre-schools) to third level and in outreach education with prisoners, women’s groups, third age groups and many others in Ireland and elsewhere. From September 2016 to June 2019 she was A&L Goodbody Writer in Residence at St Joseph’s Co Ed School, East Wall, and since 2012 she has been resident writer on the Bookmarks project with the Trinity College Dublin Access Programmes (TAP). Her poems, essays and stories have been widely anthologised and broadcast.

The Song of Brigid's Cloak

St. Brigid and her cloak is familiar tale to many, but this new version is a feast for the eyes and ears! Written in rhyme, young readers can enjoy the lyrical lines on each page. Brigid’s quest to build a church for her fellow people is initially met with disgust, and the furrowed brows and angry face of the King of Leinster. Resourceful as ever, Brigid hatches a clever plan to gain the land she needs. With the help of her trusty friends, each takes a corner of her cloak and runs north, south, east or west. The reader watches as the cloak covers more and more land.

Learn more

All Better!

No one likes feeling ill, having to visit a doctor or stay in hospital, so this collection of funny, informative poems is like medicine for the reluctant patient. From the cosiness of your bed when you are sick, to parents’ care and humour when a little person in is hospital, Latvian poet Zandere gently deals with all aspects of being poorly. Reimagined by Cullen, medical procedures are deconstructed and simplified so that worries and fears can be seen from a child’s point of view.

Learn more