Artist – Anne Harrington Rees
Take Me To The River
Dunmanway Day Care Centre
Take Me To The River set out to collect stories and reminiscences from the Monday clients of Dunmanway Day Care Centre. Alongside visual artist Anne Harrington Rees, the group transformed their memories into a new story and created illustrations to bring it to life.
The idea for the project first originated from a conversation Anne had with Margaret McQuaid about the Creative Bandon project of the same name; gathering stories and making connections between the various communities situated along the Bandon river. Storyteller Maria Gillen joined the Dunmanway project, and over seven sessions, the group worked with her and Anne to build up their new story and to create associated artwork.
Anne read out poems about the river, and participants shared snippets of family history and local folklore with the group. Anne also shared information about different parts of the River Bandon, gathered from a local man. Over the weeks, some participants found out more about their local streams that connected to the river, and shared that information with the group. When young, one participant who couldn’t swim had been pushed into one of the tributaries of the river, but had been pulled out in time. Another had warned their children not to go near the river, and another remembered nets being set overnight to catch the trout. Place names were discussed and exact whereabouts debated.
Gradually, a storyline began to form. As the group came up with characters’ names and descriptions, they also drew them using pencil and watercolour. The group added extra details with drawings of plants and animals of the area.
Drawing Nature
Anne brought in a selection of leaves from trees and plants that grow in the area and along the River Bandon – willow, oak, ash, sycamore, alder, ivy and some ferns. Most of the participants were happy to have a go at drawing the leaves, tracing round the edge of the leaf and filling in the veins afterwards.
A few participants mentioned seeing ‘Joanie The Bog’ (a heron) along the river. Anne brought in images of birds and dragonflies that can be found near the river, as well as copies of Bird Watch Ireland magazines, to use as reference guides for drawing. Together, the group drew simple birds using a combination of shapes – ovals, circles, and triangles, before adding further details.
The Film
Anne digitised and cleaned up the artwork, while Maria recorded the story with the participants. Anne worked the recording and images together into a short film, which was launched during the final session.
Take Me To The River, the movie, which celebrates the achievements of the group over the previous seven sessions, was warmly received by the participants who were present for the first public viewing. As one Day Care Centre staff member said ‘It’s a wonderful interpretation of the reminiscences and the new work.’
Timeframe
September 2024 to May 2025
Testimonies
‘A perfect day. I enjoyed it very well. It was interesting.’ – Participant
‘It’s been enjoyable reminiscing.’ – Participant
‘I appreciate it.’ – Participant
‘Very, very good. I enjoyed it.’ – Participant
‘Delighted with the video. Nice to have good news.’ – Participant
This project was supported by the Arts for Health Partnership Programme.
Images by Anne Harrington Rees.