Nuacht - Cork Education Support Centre

Cork Arts Meitheal 1 (Community of Practice in the Integrated Arts)

Meitheal is the Irish expression of ancient community that thrives through cooperative work.

We started as a group of experienced teachers, passionate and creative, linked through a common thread – Cork. Our numbers grew over time. We call our meeting by the name Meitheal. Over four Meitheal (2024-2025), our ‘way of working’ is true to the original spirit of the Irish Meitheal, a rural tradition where neighbours would come together to help one another in times of harvest, building or need. This same spirit is a core value of our Cork Arts Meitheal: educational and creative collaboration which embodies a collective effort, mutual support and shared purpose.

We give time, ideas and support without expecting a reward. At the heart of the Meitheal ethos is the belief that working together we can achieve far more, encapsulated in the Irish proverb - ‘Ní neart go cur le chéile’. We are delighted to be housed at the historic Cork Education Support Centre. It truly is a beautiful venue. The Meitheal ethos fosters belonging, respect, and open professional dialogue. The group gatherings are characterised by activity, enjoyment, discussion, powerpoints, examples of work from the students, and the sharing of best practices, all underpinned by a mutual trust and a shared vision for inspiring young learners through the creative arts. From its foundation, our facilitators Helen and Máire have ensured that each member of the Meitheal has a role to play in bringing their teaching ideas and best practice to the gathering. This collective endeavour and shared responsibility has led to highly effective teaching and learning outcomes for our pupils.

At Cork Arts Meitheal, each member brings their own unique experiences and talents to the table, whether it is drama, music, storytelling or art. Further, teachers bring ideas for other subjects. We are prepared for an integrated curriculum. The members of the Meitheal are vibrant, energetic, dedicated, cooperative and hardworking primary teachers. Like the workings of a mosaic, we complement each other’s strengths. During the Meitheal, we forge new explanations of what is sometimes invisible, difficult to articulate about what we teach, fostering a deeper understanding.

Twenty years ago, Helen hosted Cork Arts Circle for a number of years. Today, we are every much as ambitious for new ideas, new events, new ways of sharing. The Meitheal is a unique approach to CPD. Cork Arts Meitheal exemplifies the power of teacher community, collaboration and creativity in education. Rooted deep in Irish tradition and driven by dedicated teachers, the Meitheal offers a model of a vibrant, supportive community of practice that enriches both teachers and hundreds of pupils. As we continue our journey, we hope to nurture the next generations of artists and learners, facilitated by the quiet but powerful strength of joyful Meitheal.

Dr. Helen Hallissey taught for more than 30 years, holding a post of responsibility in Music and Drama at Scoil Mhuire, Ballincollig. She facilitates drama workshops, is a regular contributor to Intouch (INTO monthly magazine) and frequently presents at drama and education conferences. Her PhD explored creative writing (students as playwrights), winning Helen a John Coolahan Award for Research.

Máire Goggin has been a classroom teacher for over 15 years (St. Luke’s, Montenotte). She is an e-tutor with OIDE and has a Master’s in Teaching and Learning with Hibernia College. Máire is a creative teacher. She has a special interest in story through the arts. Recently, Maire has been exploring film-making with her class on their imaginative project based on Shandon Bells.

Features of Cork Arts Meitheal

This is a co-op where teachers are willing to swap resources, work samples, classroom management ideas.
It is highly practical and hands-on.
It provides an opportunity to discuss issues regarding teaching the arts.
It provides an opportunity to listen to like-minded teachers, to their ideas and stories, to inspire and be inspired by them.
Each Meitheal will be based on a topic or story. It will involve Drama ideas, Visual Arts ideas, Music ideas, Film ideas based on that agreed topic/story.
You will leave with resources to take back to your classroom and your work colleagues.
We will build one another’s teaching capacity and establish Cork Education Support Centre as a centre of excellence in the arts.
We will meet once this term and twice in both Terms 2 and 3 at Cork Education Support Centre.
It will be a sociable 'Are you going to the Meitheal'?

Feedback

Inspired by the new ideas, it makes me look forward to going to school the next day
3 aspects of the arts on the same story
The practical nature of the workshop. Physical samples of work. PPT presentation from real classrooms.
I love the concept of teachers sharing ideas.

We meet four times a year.. Are you going to the Meitheal?

Starting date: Meitheal 1. Tuesday the 21st October 2025 Theme ‘Hallowe’en’

Three further dates to be decided

(Primary Teachers Only)

Venue: Cork Education Support Centre, The Rectory, Western Road, Mardyke, Cork T12KC86

Book your place here: https://www.cesc.ie/cop/3843-25-8334-aut-cork-arts-meitheal-1-community-of-practice-in-the-integrated-arts.html