The publication of a creative writing project, Frances Browne Storytellers, has seen Donegal's Twin Towns library being named Island of Ireland Regional and Country Winner at the British Book Awards.
Developed by Donegal Libraries with support from Creative Ireland and Vision Ireland, the initiative's aim was to encourage and share contemporary vision-impaired voices.
Frances Browne Storytellers: Seeing Beyond Sight is a unique anthology celebrating the creativity of blind and vision-impaired writers across Ireland, celebrating the life and work of Frances Browne, the legendary "Blind Poetess of Ulster."
Born in Stranorlar, Co. Donegal in 1816, Frances overcame poverty, disability, and prejudice to become a published poet and novelist whose work reached readers throughout Europe and beyond.
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Listen to The Lyric Feature: The Blind Poetess Of Ulster
"This project is just a collection of stories," says project facilitator Isla McGuckin. "But only in the way that a library is 'just' a collection of books.
"Both are so much more; there's change-making sparked by curiosity and kindness; there’s community and creativity. Recognition from the British Book Awards will amplify our writers’ voices far more loudly than we could have ever imagined."
Enjoy a trio of selections from Frances Browne Storytellers: Seeing Beyond Sight:
To you, Frances Browne, by Lisa O'Donovan
Born in Stranorlar, Donegal, a small rural town
She was named after her mother, Frances, Frances Browne
With 11 brothers and sisters, she was the seventh in line
A big family indeed! As families were at that time
But Frances was different. She couldn’t learn to read or write
This was due to small pox, which robbed her of her sight
However, she was a curious, inquisitive child
She wanted to learn, her desire for knowledge running wild
She listened to her siblings’ homework, done after school
She learned everything by heart, making her memory a tool
Soon the bartering began, with family, friends and neighbours
They would read to her in exchange for chores, tasks and favours
Before long, Frances became the narrator, the composer, the creator
Her boundless creativity, talent, ambition becoming greater and greater
From short stories, to novels, to poems - she wrote them all!
With poverty, geographic isolation, lack of education, female, blind - she found her call!
More than a hobby or a pastime, her work was popular and published
She was well-known, the title 'the blind poetess of Ulster’ established
She moved from Donegal, to Edinburgh, to London, with her sister at her side
Her sister, Rebecca, acted as a reader, scribe and guide
While her reader, scribe and guide changed, her passion for writing did not
Her countless pieces are still being found, and will never be forgot
Her work, ‘Granny’s Wonderful Chair’, is one of the most famous
Translated and reprinted, Frances has gained literary celebrity status
She is an inspiration, a visionary, a shining example to people far and near
With such legacy and spirit, one thing is blatantly clear
She is deserving of more than a medal, a trophy, an award, or a crown
So, in awe, we raise a glass, to you, Frances Browne.
Reflections Unseen, by Margaret Kelly
As I look into the mirror and wish that I could see
An unfamiliar face looking back at me
For I haven’t seen it lately, nor indeed for many years
So, I smile a timid smile to cover up my fears
For aging is a process that etches a design
And tells a life story written line by line
On turning from the mirror, with nothing there to see
A myriad of memories come rushing in on me
Some are luminescent, some foggy and unclear
Reliving times of happiness, sorrows and of fear
But the spirit is resilient and it fans the flame of hope
And in God’s design is written you can surely cope
Tandem, by Petrina Finn
I think about my tandem
sitting still in the shed
A steal of a purchase
from a generous stranger
Hoping to introduce me
to the sport of cycling
I think about the adventures
my co-pilot and I will have
As we roam through countryside
Cycling roads less travelled
To places of childhood memory
and areas yet to be discovered
I think about my tandem partner
The trust I have in them to navigate us
on our regular cycles together
Building physical strength
While calming the mind
But that is all I do, think…
about my tandem still sitting in the shed
Frances Browne Storytellers: Seeing Beyond Sight can be accessed online here
