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The Cherry Blossom Tales: A Creative Exploration of Memory, Place, and Storytelling.

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 Blak
Dillon, James Dillon, Eamon De Valera, 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 feel how it moves through landscapes, through nature, and through us.

Public Event & Exhibition – May 2025
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.

About Dr Anna King
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 us in St. Nathys
College.

For further information and project updates, visit:
www.annaking.ie/the-cherry-blossom-tales/introduction For enquiries, contact: anna7king@gmail.com