Black Church Print Studios artists Caroline Byrne and An Gee Chan are working on the second BCPS children’s book project with 6th class pupils from Gaelscoil Inse Chór Dublin 9.

Developed through a collaborative partnership between Black Church Print Studio, Gaelscoil Inse Chór, Kilmainham Gaol, Fighting Words, and Inchicore Library, this initiative promotes meaningful community engagement by inviting children to examine local history and transform historical narratives into creative inspiration.

The children recently took part in a site visit to Kilmainham Gaol and received a guided tour by Brian Crowley.

They will then complete a creative writing workshop facilitated by Fighting Words at Richmond Barracks before embaking on a six-week series of hands-on drypoint printmaking workshops will take place at the school. These workshops will be facilited by BCPS tutors Caroline Byrne and An Gee Chan, with assistance from NCAD Studio+ student Fiona McKinley, and pupils will translate their stories into visual art using techniques such as drypoint, roll-up, rubbing, and chine collé.

The project will conclude with a limited-edition illustrated publication featuring original illustrations and a fictional story written as Gaeilge by the students, accompanied by an English translation on every page. There will also be a book launch public celebration at Inchicore Library in Richmond Barracks in March 2027 for the students, their families, guardians, friends, and project partners.

Every participating student will receive a personal copy of the book. Copies will also be distributed to the library collections of Inchicore Library, Gaelscoil Inse Chór, Kilmainham Gaol, Fighting Words, and the BCPS archive.

This project is supported by the Dublin City Council Community Development Grant 2026.