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Irish Independent

Wexford students inspired to write after visit from Galway author

New Ross Standard Today at 04:00 First Year students in St Mary's Secondary School enjoyed a visit from Patricia Forde, children's writer and current Laureate na nÓg on Tuesday, April 29. Patricia, a Galway native, has published over 25 books for children and young adults in both English and Irish, and as Ireland's children's literature laureate she celebrates children's writers and illustrators and fosters a love of literature in young people. Laureate na nÓg celebrates children's literature and its special contribution to cultural life in Ireland, and Ms Forde was brought on board as Laureate na nÓg in 2023 and will hold her position until 2026. 'Your minds are full of stories' she told the students during her visit, adding that 'all writers are storytellers'. Patricia stressed the importance of books in our lives and explained that at certain times in life they resonate with the reader as does 'a mirror where you recognise yourself in certain characters, but also a window where you see the lives of people who are different to you'. The first year students, and the staff alike, enjoyed an inspirational presentation from Patricia, where she encouraged them to tell their own stories and to 'make it up as you go along'. Annie Byrne and Lilly Venn, both first year students, said they were delighted to meet a writer in person and Patricia's words of encouragement have inspired them to keep reading and to start writing their own stories.