‘My name is Veronica Poole…’

Meet the show-stealer at this year’s An Post Irish Book Awards, Dubliner Veronica Poole, whose moving story is told in a splendid short film by award-winning documentary filmmaker Ken Wardrop – watch it below. 

It follows Veronica Poole – a determined woman who has taken the brave step to return to education after many years.

Even though Veronica is only at the start of her journey back into education, the film sees her take on the sizeable challenge of writing a speech and reciting it in front of Ireland’s greatest literary minds at the Irish Book Awards.

With the help of her tutors at Coolock Adult Literacy Service and the support of her family and friends, we see Veronica’s confidence grow as she composes and practices her speech.

Interwoven with the story of her challenge we will learn about Veronica’s backstory, why she has chosen to return to education, and why the work NALA does is so important.

The film ends with Veronica delivering her speech at the An Post Book Awards as she presents the “Booksellers Award for Non-Fiction”

If Veronica’s story has inspired you or someone you know to take the first step back to learning contact NALA today to learn how you can get started. Call 1800 20 20 65 for a chat.

An Post is a long-time supporter of literacy in Ireland.

From 2007-2017 An Post funded a TV advertising campaign that encouraged people with literacy difficulties to contact NALA’s Freephone for information and advice. The connection was a natural one for An Post as people with literacy needs often asked postmen doing their daily rounds to to read out a letter to them.