BY Kathrin Kobus
Poetry Ireland launched today an Alphabet Blitz for the City of Dublin, simply called ‘ABCD project’. As in
A for Anna Liffey
who’s wonderfully whiffy.
But that is only a teaser to get you started.
Alphabet Blitz for the City of Dublin is an invitation from Poetry Ireland’s Poet in Residence, Catherine Ann Cullen, to groups and individuals to make a rhyming alphabet for Dublin.
Over the next 26 weeks, she will highlight one letter every Wednesday with an illustrated #ABCDublin prompt on Twitter and Facebook. People can use social media to submit a rhyme or response for just one letter or for the whole alphabet. Submissions can be written, illustrated, made into videos — be as creative as you like!
Here are some examples from Catherine Ann to get the creativity flowing:
A’s for the Abbey with actors galore
Attracting admirers since 1904
B is for Busarus, with buses by the horde,
For Bantry or Balbriggan, why don’t you jump on board?
B is for Bram Stoker, born in the neighbourhood,
He wrote a book called Dracula, don’t let him suck your blood!
The project forms part of the Poet in Residence’s remit to connect with communities in Dublin’s north inner city, where Poetry Ireland is based (in Parnell Square), and with the city in general.
According to Catherine Ann. “Many of my residency workshops and interactions have had to move online due to Covid-19 restriction. This project allows people to take a socially distanced look at Dublin City with their family or small friend group, or indeed to work online alone or with a group to write couplets about the city.”
Poetry Ireland will share a selection of submissions on its social media including Facebook and Twitter. The organisation hopes to produce an overview document/video at the end of the project.
Submissions are welcome in English, Irish, or any other languages.
Every one with a poetic streak is invited to devise and illustrate entire alphabets using words and characters found in their local areas.
There will be some prizes along the line as well, with details yet to be announced.
Poetry Ireland gratefully acknowledges the support of its principal funders The Arts Council / An Chomhairle Ealaíon and The Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
