Interviewed by Amelia Bolger / photographer Madeline Mulqueen

Amelia: How long have you lived in the area?
Jenny: 36 years

Amelia: Have you seen this community come back from hard times before?
Jenny: The Powerscourt House caught on fire in 74, villagers filled buckets with water from lake and threw water until fire fighters arrived.

Amelia: What sort of things are you doing now to stay connected to your community and family and what does community mean to you?
Jenny: Bartering items, trading plants for yeast and honey, checking in on each other to see if wood is chopped, Zoom craft group called Crafty Chicks, on board of Powerscourt National school because all grandkids attended!

Amelia: What message do you want to leave for yourself and this community in 10 years time?
Jenny: We have gone through a pandemic, something no one saw coming. The community pulled through this, so whatever difficulties you are facing can be overcome. Things happen, people help.

Pictured below is a drawing of a bumble bee that Amelia drew as her creative response to Jenny’s interview! There are also other images from Jenny’s shoot with Madeline.