Searching for the Dragon [an ALT EFF Workshop]

In partnership with Youth Inc., join a special workshop around native Irish reptiles, storytelling, and community led by artist and animator Iobhar Stokes Rodriguez in collaboration with Siobhán Depaor. The workshop begins with a screening of The Dance of the Cranes, a powerful film from Co. Kildare by Youth Inc., followed by a hands-on creative and storytelling workshop.

Dance of the Cranes

• A poignant exploration of the return of wild cranes to Ireland after centuries and their symbolic impact on a family navigating grief and reconnection with nature.

• Background: Developed as a collaborative project with young people from YouthINK under the direction of Padraig J. Dunne and produced by Mary O’Connor.

• Special Feature: YouthINK participants share insights into their creative process and experiences during the film’s development.

Workshop: “Searching for the Dragon”

Theme: Uncovering the Dragon in Irish Myth through Visual Art and the Written Word

• Led by Iobhar Stoles Rodrigues (Artist & Animator) and Siobhán de Paor (Poet/Filí & Spoken Word Artist).

• Interactive Session: Young people from YouthINK Creative Places Bagenalstown will participate in creating art and poetry inspired by mythical dragons, reptiles, and newts in Irish folklore.

• Goal: Explore how ancient myths can inspire modern creative expression and environmental awareness.

Iobhar, Siobhán and Mary will guide you through building a beautiful model of a native Irish Reptile, while exploring serpent folklore, crafting your own animated stories, and imagining the lives of these often misunderstood creatures. It’s part nature lesson, part storytelling circle — and open to all teenagers who love the reptiles!.

This workshop is part of ALT EFF: The All Living Things Environmental Film Festival 2025. ALT EFF is not only a curation of films and environmental stories from around the world — it is a space for engagement, interaction, and conversation. Each film selection is paired with non-film programming that brings ideas into lived experience: hands-on making, local ecological insights, storytelling, and community connection.

Every venue and collaborator taking part — like the the National Reptile Zoo — all contribute to this ethos of thinking locally and participating meaningfully. This is an invitation to explore the themes of the festival through touch, dialogue, creativity, and place.