A Passion for Public Transport and Sustainability
As a regular public transport user, Niamh understands the power of shared journeys, the connections they create, and the role sustainable travel plays in building a greener future for us all. Passionate about ecology, sustainability, and environmental storytelling, she sees public transport as a vital part of reducing carbon emissions and making cities and communities more accessible for all. Through her residency, she will explore these themes in her poetry and interactions with passengers, highlighting how rail and bus travel can support a cleaner, healthier, and more connected world.
Celebrating Connection Through Poetry
Public transport is about more than just getting from A to B—it’s about connecting people, places, and opportunities. Belfast Grand Central Station is a state-of-the-art, sustainable transport hub designed to make travel seamless, efficient, and welcoming for all. As a key gateway to and from Belfast, the station links local and regional rail, bus, and coach services, providing better connections across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, and beyond.
Through her poetry, Niamh will celebrate these connections, shining a light on the thousands of daily interactions, shared experiences, and stories that unfold at the station. She will capture the essence of travel—whether it’s a student commuting to university, a family heading home for Christmas, or a visitor embarking on a new adventure.
A Residency That Moves With the People
Throughout her residency which lasts from now until early May Niamh will be;
Leading travel and poetry workshops with primary and post-primary schools
Helping young people explore the themes of journeys, connection, and creativity through verse.
Writing a series of blogs
These blogs will highlight the connections public transport offers, featuring her own journeys to and from Belfast Grand Central Station. Through these stories, she will explore the places people can travel to, from bustling cities to scenic rural getaways, showcasing the accessibility and reach of our network.
Engaging with passengers
Niamh will meet and speak with fellow travellers, hearing their personal stories about where they’re coming from, where they’re going, and what public transport means to them. From daily commuters to once-in-a-lifetime adventurers, she’ll weave their voices into her writing. If you see her Niamh wants you to come over and say hello.
Creating a public poem for Belfast Grand Central Station
As a lasting legacy of her residency, Niamh will write a poem about Belfast Grand Central Station, public transport, and the connections it creates. This poem will be installed in the new station, ensuring that future generations of passengers can engage with its message.
Promoting the new ‘Poetry in Motion’ book
As part of her role, Niamh will also help launch Translink’s Poetry in Motion poetry book, celebrating the power of words and the voices of poets who have found inspiration in travel.
Follow Niamh’s Journey
From everyday commuters to first-time travellers, everyone has a story to tell. Follow Niamh’s journey and discover how poetry can capture the movement, rhythm, and meaning of public transport.
If you see her at Belfast Grand Central Station, say hello—your journey might just inspire her next piece!
