Leanne's Award Winning Illustrations

Leanne's Award Winning Illustrations

27 May, 2021

Leanne McDonagh, Traveller Educational Co-Ordinator at MTU (pictured left), together with Oein DeBhairduin were the recipients of two awards at KPMG Children’s Books Ireland Awards Ceremony on the 25th of May.

The duo received the Eilis Dillon Award as well as the Judges’ Special Award for Why The Moon Travels, the first collection of Traveller folk tales to be written and illustrated by Travellers.

Oein DeBhairduin, a Galway-born Mincéir storyteller is the author of Why the Moon Travels, while Leanne, who holds an Honours Degree in Fine Art as well as a Higher Diploma in Art & Design Education from CCAD, provided the beautiful black and white illustrations.

Why The Moon Travels connects the real and supernatural worlds, recalling stories of giants, how the rivers of Ireland were born and how bees learned to sting. Each of the 20 stories opens with a personal recollection from the author celebrating his childhood, family and Traveller tradition.

The judging panel described the collection as “a beautifully written and ground-breaking book, which celebrates and shares a rich tradition that may be unfamiliar to many readers”.

 

We wish both Leanne and Oein hearty congratulations on their awards and continued success in their future endeavours.

 

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