Wonderful to hear that Connections: Stories by Syrian Families in County Clare has won the Best Library Service in the 2020 Excellence in Local Government Awards run by Chambers Ireland. Congratulations to the eleven children, three mothers and one big sister who wrote and illustrated the book, and to Clare Library (especially Executive Librarian Patricia Fitzgerald) and Ennistymon National School staff who cofacilitated the project with me and illustrator Tatyana Feeney.
The families have lived in Ennistymon since their arrival four years ago on the United Nations Resettlement Scheme. Connections explores their experiences, hopes and dreams in stories and recollections.
The award celebrates both the families and the excellent community collaboration between the school and library, the different generations and the Syrian and Irish cultures. Thanks to the funders Clare County Library, IBBY Ireland and Poetry Ireland.
