The two DkIT staff members who received this prestigious award are Dr Bridget Kelly from the Department of Life and Health Science along with Dr Daithi Kearney from the Department of Creative Arts, Media and Music. This STEAM project is allowing local community members to use their creativity to produce an opera about a scientific topic that is of interest locally.

As part of this project and over the past few weeks, learners from the National Learning Network in Monaghan have been attending workshops. DkIT academics Dr Bridget Kelly and Dr Daithi Kearney, the recipients of this prestigious New Foundations award, along with drama facilitator Cathal Thornton and Arts officer David Maine from Iontas Centre, Castleblayney travelled to Monaghan to facilitate the activities. Through the interactive workshops, the learners engaged in fun creative thinking and acting exercises, as well as writing and songwriting sessions. More workshops are planned later in the year, and the project will culminate in a production devised by members of the community across Co. Monaghan. The performance will draw inspiration from the stories and experiences of Lough Muckno and will run in Castleblayney at Iontas Theatre in November.

For further information email bridget.kelly@dkit.ie.