Honouring Christy Nolan’s Legacy: Creativity & Disability in Trinity’s Disability Service

Notice: Submissions for the Christy Nolan Creativity Competition are now closed as of 20th April.

Perseverance Through Words: A Tribute to Christy Nolan

Competition Overview:

Christy Nolan (1965 – 2009) life and legacy remain a powerful example of the very best of Irish literature and creativity. From publishing his first collection of poetry at the age of fifteen (Dam-Burst of Dreams) to his memoir (Under the Eye of the Clock) and highly acclaimed novel (The Banyan Tree), Christy's literary talents continue to touch the lives of many.

During his time studying at Trinity College Dublin, Christy found a space in which he and his disability were accepted, and he could thrive. In honour of Christy Nolan's archival works being installed in The Long Room at Trinity College Dublin, and Trinity Disability Service’s 25th anniversary, the Disability Service is keen to acknowledge the vast creative talents among current disabled staff and students at Trinity.

To do this, the Disability Service, in collaboration with Trinity's libraries, are hosting a competition for disabled staff and students here at Trinity. We at the Disability Service are aware that self-expression can come in all forms, so we are opening this competition up to all art forms, including literary, visual arts, film, and performance.

The winning entries will be showcased at the "Old Library, New Treasures" exhibition and presented during the event celebrating Christy Nolan's life.

Please see more details below. Informal queries can be made to Jen O’Connor (Disability Officer) at joconnor@tcd.ie.

The Life and Legacy of Christy Nolan

Christy Nolan (1965-2009) was an Irish writer, poet, and playwright whose work challenged barriers in literature and disability advocacy. Born with quadriplegic cerebral palsy, Christy defied societal expectations and became one of Ireland’s most celebrated literary voices. His ability to craft powerful narratives, despite immense physical limitations, is a testament to human resilience, creativity, and the need for inclusivity in literature and the arts.

Through his pioneering works and his mother Bernadette Nolan’s advocacy, Christy inspired a movement for recognizing disabled artists’ talents. His legacy continues through literature courses, disability studies, and initiatives like the Christy Nolan Creative Competition, ensuring that disabled voices are celebrated and heard.

Notable Works:

Dam-Burst of Dreams (1981) – A collection of poetry and prose showcasing his literary talent.
Under the Eye of the Clock (1987) – An award-winning autobiographical novel on his lived experience.
The Banyan Tree (1999) – A masterful novel exploring Irish heritage, memory, and storytelling.

Christy Nolan’s story reminds us of the boundless power of creativity and perseverance. His words continue to inspire and uplift future generations of disabled artists and writers.

Important Dates:

February 14th, 2025 – Competition opens for submissions
April 20th - Competition closes (extended deadline)
May 6th, 2025 (6pm) – Winners announced and celebratory event in The Long Room

Competition FAQ:

Who can enter?
The competition is open to any disabled staff and students at Trinity College Dublin.
What formats can I submit through?
You are welcome to submit your creative work in whatever format feels authentic to you. This might be a written piece of fiction or non-fiction, but it might also be a short film, piece of art or any other form of expression that you enjoy communicating through. You will find further suggestions in the competition rules and guidelines below.
Do I have to be registered with the Disability Service?
No, registration is not necessary.
How do I submit to the competition?
Submissions for the Christy Nolan Creativity Competition are now closed as of 20th April.
Who will be judging the entries?
Judges will be announced closer to the closing of the competition.
When will the winner be announced?
The winner and shortlisted entries will be announced at the competition’s closing event on May 13th, 2025.
Are their prizes for winners and shortlisted entries?
Yes, there is a prize for an overall winner and prizes for the winners of several different categories. Please see below for more information.
Where do I get inspiration?
We advise all prospective entries to review the creative works of Christy Nolan, all of which can be found within the libraries of Trinity College Dublin. However, we ask that all entries are inspired by one of the below quotes from Christy Nolan.

Participants may be inspired by at least one quote from Under the Eye of the Clock or inspired by Miracle Drug by U2 as a starting point for their piece, but this is optional.

Here are some examples:

"Of science and the human heart." (Miracle Drug, U2)
"Accept me for what I am, and I'll accept you for what you're accepted as." (p.4)
"Now could he ever get his chance to let folk see what they thought never existed?" (p.53)
"His women saviours." (p.56)
"Beauty of secret knowledge so secretly hidden and so nearly lost forever." (p.56)
"His voice would be his written word." (p.93)
"Words which had been lifted from the depths of numbness." (p.96)
"Blowing like an Irish Ceannbhán." (p.103)
"Zealous mercurial dreams were about to be realized." (p.151)
"Everyone's confidant but nobody's fool." (p.154)
"Nobody made him feel different… he never found what he was searching for." (p.160)