Margaret McKenna - Heritage Experts | Heritage in Schools

Margaret McKenna

Margaret Mc Kenna
Subject(s):
Science, History, Geography
Curriculum Strands:
Story (History), Local Studies (History), Early people and ancient societies (History), Life, society, work and culture in the past (History), Continuity and change over time (History), Human environments (Geography), Natural environments (Geography), Environmental awareness and care (Geography/Science), Living things (Science)
Counties catered for:
Cavan, Leitrim, Longford, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Westmeath
Classes catered for:
3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th

Book in-person visit


Margaret is an artist who works in different disciplines, including animation and painting. Her recent solo exhibitions in Cavan County Museum and Íontas Theatre, Castleblayney, have been based on the connections of the Irish language to our landscapes and the stories within. Our Celtic and pre-Celtic mythology has been a huge inspiration on her artistic work and she is currently working with Creative Cavan on an animation project related to the folklore of Cuilcagh Geopark.

Working in schools, such as the Gaelscoil in Carrickmacross, Margaret inspires the children to bring the local stories of their area to life through art. Encouraging an appreciation of the student’s environmental heritage is one of the main aims of these workshops, and thus also an interest in how the Irish language tells many of the stories of both the natural and mythological aspects of their home place.

In this workshop Margaret talks to the children about their own locality, encouraging them to share any stories of which they may have knowledge. During this workshop Margaret will explore the connection to the ancient place names and what these names describe, be it the description of the landscape or a story connected to local mythology. The children will then work to portray a sequence of drawings, comic book style, bringing the stories of their area to life.

In this workshop Margaret will help the children to visualise one of our rich mythological stories associated with the county in which the school is located. She will aid the narrative by using a live art performance to describe the legend,combined with traditional storytelling, and encouraging participation of the students with the process.

Additional Information

  • Provides in-person visits
  • Provides practical/hands-on activities
  • Provides field trips
  • Visits as Gaeilge

Contact Details

Mobile:
0874190848
Email:
mckdunne@gmail.com
Website:
www.margaretmckenna.ie