A new Creative Ireland-funded project, The Cherry Blossom Tales, is bringing the past to life in Ballaghaderreen through storytelling, photography, videography, and creative exploration.
Led by author and multidisciplinary artist Dr Anna King, and supported by Roscommon County Council, this initiative invites TY students from St Nathy’s College, under the guidance of teacher Karen Munnelly, to reimagine the history of their town through a series of immersive, creative nonfiction workshops.
At the heart of the project stands Dillion’s last remaining cherry blossom tree, a silent witness to generations past. Once part of Anne Deane’s garden, figures such as John Blake Dillon, James Dillon, Éamon de Valera (former President of Ireland) and Michael Davitt gathered beneath the tree’s canopy, sharing conversations, ideas, and dreams.
Through February to April, students will step into this lost world – not physically, but through imagination, historical inquiry, and artistic response. They will work with photography, videography, creative writing, and audio storytelling to bring their visions to life; capturing the intangible echoes of memory that still linger in the landscape.
As April transitions into May, the project takes on a new dimension. As cherry blossoms bloom and drift on the westerly wind, so too do stories, ideas, and fleeting memories. In these final workshops, students will explore how history is not only recorded, but also felt – how it moves through landscapes, through nature, and through us.
The culmination of The Cherry Blossom Tales will be a public event and exhibition in May, where student creations – photographs, recordings, visual artwork, and stories – will be shared with the wider community. This will be a unique opportunity to experience the students’ interpretations of Ballaghaderreen’s past through a contemporary, creative lens.
Dr Anna King (PhD, MA, BA) is a published author and multidisciplinary artist whose work blends creative prose, photography, and contemplative art practices. In 2024, she completed a residency with Creative Places Ballaghaderreen, funded by The Arts Council, Ireland, and she is delighted to once again have an opportunity to work with St Nathy’s College students.
For further information and project updates, visit annaking.ie/the-cherry-blossom-tales/introduction.
