Dublin North Honours Fighting Words

The Dublin North Rotary Club recently honoured Roddy Doyle and Sean Love for their great work in co-founding and developing Fighting Words, the young people’s creative writing organisation.
The occasion was the Rotary club’s annual President’s Dinner in the Marine Hotel, Sutton at which over 120 guests paid tribute to the remarkable achievements of both men in setting up the free creative writing centre located beside Croke Park.
As Roddy explained “We believe creative writing is an essential part of every child’s development and we provide free workshops and programmes, hosting 10,000 young people every year, supported by more than 500 volunteers. The children are given the time and space and encouragement to explore their imaginations, to compose and create. Primary school children leave with a personalised book of their story complete with title and artwork on the front cover and their photo on the back cover. Such tangible validation works wonders in developing self-expression, self-esteem and self-confidence.”
Such is its success - the Centre is booked out a year in advance - Fighting Words have opened two more centres in Belfast and Mayo.
The Dublin North Rotary Club made Roddy and Sean each a Paul Harris Fellow, one of Rotary’s highest honours.
Sean Love, in thanking Rotary, spoke about the fact that Fighting Words receives no public funding and relies solely on private donations. “It’s a constant struggle, we are a very lean outfit, but it takes a lot to keep the show on the road. We are very grateful to Rotary for tonights recognition and your continuing support.”
Rotary is a worldwide network of 1.2 million people dedicated to being of service. They do this through projects in their local community and by supporting international development projects.