SISTERS ROCKING IT
Sisters Ali and Aria Riordan with their ‘Kindness Rocks’ which children have been placing in the Fair Field in Knocknagree over recent weeks and which have added up to a very colourful spectacle in darkened times
DURING the past few months while people navigated the great unknown of the pandemic, the qualities of caring and thoughtfulness have come to the fore. Now, children in Knocknagree have taken this trend one step further with their ‘Kindness Rocks’ project which has the capacity to brighten up the lives of everyone in the Parish.
Knocknagree ‘Fairfield’ was renowned throughout the locality and beyond as the location for Markets and Fairs for generations and is now a beautifully kept green space where locals get together to celebrate community events all year round.
“We were supposed to have ‘Street Fest’ a few weeks ago, and of course had to cancel,” Knocknagree Fairfield Tidy Towns Committee member Margaret Goulding told The Corkman.
Nevertheless, the group has been busy keeping the green looking well and have recently added two colourful flowerbeds.
“I saw online where the community in Raheny had started decorating rocks and thought this would be a lovely idea to brighten up our new flowerbeds while simultaneously giving the local children an interesting project to engage in while they are in lockdown” Margaret explained.
Needless to say, with the children on board, amazing paintings with inspiring messages were produced in houses all around the parish.
The Corkman asked some of the young Artists what they most enjoyed about the project.
“I loved painting the Rocks in red and getting my hands covered in paint. I picked the word ‘Happy’ because I want everyone to feel that way. I want them to tickle themselves more,” said Alanna Hickey.
“I loved doing the paintings, it was something different from school work. I put the word ‘Joy’ because football gives me great joy, and I painted it blue and white, the Knocknagree colours,” David Fleming said.
Kate Fleming said she loves arts and crafts. “I put the word ‘Believe’ because I think when Covid is over I will see Grandma and Grandad again and give them a big hug”.
“We loved doing the painting and it’s great looking at all the amazing rocks and checking everyday for new ones,” said Sophie and Alex Hickey.
On a final note, some credit also has to go to the mums and dads who helped the younger children with the project!
“These lovely pieces make us smile and brighten our daily walks,” Margaret Goulding said.