The Chief Executive Officer of the South Eastern Health Board launched an anthology of poetry, prose and drawings, Chrysalis, on Friday night (14^th December 2001) in the County Hall, Kilkenny.

The anthology was the culmination of months of hard work in a unique project by clients attending Carlow/Kilkenny Mental Health Service.

This project enabled the contributors to explore and express their own creativity.  For many of the authors, poetry has helped them to say what could not be said any other way and allowed them to share their feelings and experiences with their readers.

The published work was chosen by Kerry Hardie, poet and novelist and winner of Friends Provident National Poetry Prize (Ireland).  The design was by Kieran O Sullivan and the book was printed by Kilkenny People Printing.

Speaking at the launch, Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Joan Daly thanked the contributors for their interest and enthusiasm in the project and the staff of St. Canice’s Hospital, Kilkenny, for their encouragement and support. She acknowledged the significant input by Michael Bergin who helped her co-ordinate the project.