1. Is this the first time you have made your own postcard, if not, when was the last time?
No it isn’t the first time, when on holidays in Canada last year I brought along a pack of blank postcards on watercolour paper. I reckon I eventually made and posted about four postcards home. The rest I kept for myself as they were reminders of where I went.
2. Can you tell us a little about the inspiration or thoughts behind the card you’ve created?
Prisons can be seen as grey and dull places and quite often they are. I really believe the people who cope with their sentences and go on to better and brighter things are the prisoners who get involve in education.I then remembered we used a quote by a prisoner in Ireland ‘Art adds colour to this drab place’ as part of a prison art calendar design.Both the quote and the drawing seemed to tell its own story.
3. As someone who works closely with prisoners in Ireland, what message would you put on a postcard to a prisoner or a prisoners family?
To the prisoner I would say keep yourself busy on the inside! Get involved in trades, education, etc. Learn a skill. It is a great opportunity to better yourself and get a qualification. To the families I would say take an interest in what they are doing in the school, etc. and give lots of praise.
4. Do you remember the first time you ever received a postcard?
I don’t remember the first one but the first memorable one has to be from my sister when I was working in Italy when I was 19. She was in Spain on holidays and I was very home sick at the time. It was great to have the card to read over and over again.
5. Do you have a cherished postcard?
I have many but the one that stands out in my mind is the last card I received from my aunt who died only this year. She was a nun in England and was really great for keeping in touch with all our family, everyone getting a personalized hand written card. She had lovely hand writing and would always sign off with a blessing.
6. Do you send letters/ postcards to your friends when away?
Always. It is part of the ritual of going away. Although sometimes I must admit that I am home before the cards have arrived to their destination as I haven’t posted them on time. One year I posted them from Ireland following a foreign holiday. Somehow I don’t think I am the only one that has happened to!
7. For christmas/ birthdays, do any of your friends or relatives ever send you a personally designed card?
I do remember a friend of mine who is an artist sending me handmade Christmas cards. She did this for many years. One of my God children is very creative and I am always getting handmade cards and notes from her. These are very special to me and are keepsakes.
8. If you could write a postcard sized message to your family and friends, what would it say?
Well, firstly I probably wouldn’t send the same message to my family as to my friends. The message however could be inviting everyone to my house for a barbeque next week, and ask them to bring some sunshine with them!!
9. Have you ever kept special postcards you've ever received? Where do you keep them?
Yes, I tend to hold onto postcards and letters, not so much now as before. I have a special large blue box in which I keep letters, postcards, birthday cards and some photos. Every so often I will dip into it for old times sake!
10. Did you ever enter a postcard competition on television, back before email/ texts.?
Not that I can remember.
This month we have also received this wonderful postcard from Sister Caoimhín Ní Uallacháin O.P.
| 
