Songlines is a workshop and event series which engages with those living with dementia and cognitive impairment through poetry and song. Over the course of a number of sessions, participants discuss, read, and sing together favourite poems and songs from childhood, adolescence, and into adulthood.

Facilitated by professional artists with extensive experience working in arts & health, these workshops endeavor to reveal memories associated with both artforms and often results in the composition of new songs and poems by the artists and participants. Through the workshops in care homes, community hospitals and day care centres, facilitators gave participants the time to discuss their lives and memories, good and bad, and to show a side of their personalities and share an aspect of their life that might have been dormant or closed off for a time.

Songlines has proven to be a significantly effective programme in breaking through the loneliness and isolation that can come when living with cognitive impairment.

The project culminates in a special event performed from Festival in Van stage with the facilitators, clients, and staff; drawing in the audience through active participation via songs and poems discussed in the workshops and some additional requests along the way too.

Songlines will visit two nursing homes in County Monaghan in 2025. Please note that these workshops are restricted to residents of participating nursing homes and their families. 

Please note that the details of events listed above are provided by the relevant Local Authorities.