Creative Writing Workshop
"RADE's innovative programme of combatting substance abuse through art introduces addicts to their own genius, their own best selves, it focuses on the buzz that living a positive life can bring,a buzz that is genuine and life enhancing"
President Mary McAleese
Creative Writing
Rapping Rade
Rade participants are currently enjoying rapping classes on a Wednesday. John Cummins, rapper is working with participants on the fine art of rapping. The end product will be a CD that will include the participants own creations.
Rapping (or rhyming, spitting, emceeing, MCing is a musical form of vocal delivery that incorporates “rhyme, rhythmic speech, and street vernacular”, which is performed or chanted in a variety of ways, usually over a backbeat or musical accompaniment.
RADE in the News
KARL PARKINSON recently completed a series of creative writing workshops with participants here in RADE.
There was great feedback from the tutor and all participants. We hope to include some of the stories written by participants in the comic book to be launched next year.
Karl recently had an article published about his experience in RADE.
Please READ the article as we would like to share RADE’s stories.
Let Me Tell You
A collection of comic stories from 2017
Participants worked with comic creator Elida Maiques who facilitated workshops to produce the graphic novel Let Me Tell You. RADERS are determined to heal and make positive changes in their lives. Clink on the picture to see their work.
A RADE in Dublin
is a graphic novel of 1916
Working with comic creator and graphic designer Paddy Lynch the group engaged in a number of workshops developing their stories around The Rising and learning how to present these tales in graphic format. The end result is a colourful read.
Read the full publication here: A RADE in Dublin
Buckets: The Book
A trip down memory lane of buckets
To celebrate our 10th Anniversary Cathy Coughlan researched RADE’s previous productions and publications before deciding on working from extracts from ‘Jack and Jill’ the play and using buckets as props in our 2014 dance – theatre production ‘Source’. This publication contains the original ‘Jack and Jill’ script and images from the 2014 production ‘Source’ staged during the Dublin Fringe Festival in the South Studios, Dublin 8
Here the full publication here: Buckets
A Hundred Years Ago: The Book
Stories and images from A Hundred Years Ago
In 2013, inspired by the centenary of the 1913 Lockout, we produced a book with a difference. Participants took time outside their creative writing classes to read the literature, poetry and history of the period. This book is a compilation of what they learned, telling stories through their eyes. Participants worked with writer Dominique Cleary and RADE director Mick Egan to produce our most ambitious book to date. The stories from this book were used to develop the script of the acclaimed stage play A Hundred Years Ago.
Read A Hundred Years Ago
Rough Cuts – book
Images and writing from 2012
Niamh pictured reading from Rough Cuts
Writer Dominique Cleary worked with RADErs to produced this insightful collection of short stories and tales. The group read ‘extracts of great personal essays, fiction and poetry: the work of Joan Didion, Annie Dillard, G.K. Chesterton, Jorge Luis Borges, Scott Russell Sanders, Raymond Carver, Sylvia Platt, Ted Hughes, Wendell Berry and W.B. Yeats, to name a few’.
On speaking about her experiences teaching the class, Dominique says, ‘RADErs don’t shy away from telling things as they are. Often simplicity brought the deepest truths, and there was realism, resilience and insight that comes from a life of self-challenge.”
Read stories from Rough Cuts
Frontier Folk – book
A collection of stories, artwork and images
Frontier Folk is a collection of stories and artwork from the RADE programme 2011. Malcolm MacClancy and Dominique Cleary facilitated the creative writing programme, while artists Eoghan O’Neill and John Devoy were responsible for the visual arts. This publication coincided with our short film Birthday.
RTÉ Radio 1 Arena show interviewed Darren and Jenna, who both shared some of their stories over the airwaves.
Read stories from Frontier Folk
Portraits – book
Poet of Ireland Paula Meehan faciliated creative writing workshops
On 9th Sept RADErs launched Portraits, a collection of the group’s creative writing stories, facilitated by poet Paula Meehan, in the NCAD (National College of Art & Design) to mark RADE’s 5th anniversary.
Paula Meehan wrote about her experience in RADE: ‘Some mornings the energy is pure electric and huge leaps of trust and faith are made.”
Read Portraits 2010
Darren reading
Jimmy reading
Minister Pat Rabbitte
Geraldine reading
Minister Pat Rabbitte
Today’s D8 – book
Short stories, artwork and images from 2009
RTÉ writer Joe O’Donnell facilitated 2009’s publication, which focused on the theme of Dublin 8. Outings and visits were planned to local areas of interest, including St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Christchurch. Many participants went back to their roots and spoke to family members about the history of Dublin 8, giving this collection an authenticity.
Read Todays D8
Raders of the Táin – Book
Merging mythical Ireland with modern day
Under the guidance of Steven Bourke, participants explored Thomas Kinsella’s Tain Bó Cuailgne. This legendary tale from early Irish history set the scenes for RADErs’ stories, art and theatre production in 2007/2008.
Read Raders of the Táin
Somewhere to Flap Your Wings – book
Poetry, writings, art and images
Joanne reading from Somewhere to Flap Your Wings.
Working with Poetry Chair of Ireland Paula Meehan, the group focused on poetry, looking at Coleridge’s ‘Kubla Khan’, elegies, dreams and lullabies. The publication was launched in the Project Arts Centre by President McAleese.
RADE Stories
Tony Curtis facilitated creative writing
The book where it all began. Poet Tony Curtis worked with RADErs to produce this funny and entertaining collection. It even included an afterword from our own Mick Egan.
Read RADE 2005