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A Covid diary project reveals the impact of the lockdown on its Co Kildare participants, with many discussing feelings of “loneliness, isolation and despair” but also “a sense of optimism.”
The project, aimed at those in the cocoon and the elderly, saw more than 140 moleskin notebooks delivered to homes across the county in March.
Kildare Arts Service encouraged participants to share their reflections, artwork, and stories in the notebooks throughout the running with the intention that the diaries would become part of a permanent archive for Kildare City Council.
More than half of the notebooks have now been returned to the Kildare Arts Service for digital scanning and reveal a treasure trove of locked mementos.
Lucina Russell is the Kildare County Council Arts Officer. She said the age range of those involved in the project is “impressive, the youngest is six years old and the oldest 91 years old.”
“They have started to arrive, in the last week or so. Already some of the information, in terms of what happened in March, has happened a lot since then. Many people made reference to the hope that the closure would end in Semana Santa
“Many people spoke of loneliness, isolation, despair, but there was a sense of optimism and of knowing that this was going to happen.
“There are quite a few referrals to support agencies and some of the people who used the notebooks would have been involved with Naas Care of the Aged and also with support services for mental health difficulties. They talk a lot, in their notebooks, about the services. , like the delivery of meals.
“As you can imagine, food was a big part of the notebooks. Lots of people, too, enjoying the time. Lots of references to birds and gardens. Dogs and cats are very important,” he added.
A documentary about the project is currently being produced, funded by Creative Ireland.
The film, directed by Kildare native David C Lynch, features some of the oldest Covid chroniclers and will premiere online as part of Culture Night on Friday, September 18.
One of the chroniclers appearing in the documentary is also the oldest contributor to the notebook project.
For her diary, Elizabeth Kenny, 91, chose to reflect on her life.
“I really didn’t know. Maybe I’m getting into something I don’t understand. I think it was the next day. I put down the pen and said, ‘Here it goes, Lizzy. Start writing. ‘ I can’t write that well, but I started writing and kept going.
“And you know why I wanted to do it, because next April I’ll be 92 years old, in case I lose what little is there,” he laughed.
Elizabeth has eight children, 21 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren. She found that the hardest part of the confinement was missing her friends at daycare in Naas.
“I love my life and my family. Even if you love yours but you love a friend to talk to, right? You can tell them things, you know?”
In a journal about her friends at Naas Care of the Aged, Elizabeth wrote:
“Now this terrible thing has hit us. We hope it will end soon. It is very sad. Please God, we will all be together again. Soon, I hope.”
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