Alumni Spotlights
Patrick Byrne - Art Psychotherapist
Patrick Byrne (B.Soc.Sc. ’97) From UCC Library to art therapy, Patrick Byrne’s journey is one of creativity, compassion, and courage. After two decades supporting students on campus, Patrick now works as a freelance art psychotherapist, blending his academic roots with personal healing. He talks to us about his memories of UCC and the therapeutic role of art in recovery.
Alumni Spotlight – Patrick Byrne, Art Psychotherapist
Patrick Byrne has been a familiar face to UCC students and staff through his work in the campus libraries for the past 20 years. He now starts a new chapter in life as freelance professional art therapist. In addition to holding a Bachelor of Social Science from UCC, Patrick completed his master's as an art psychotherapist from Crawford College of Art and is accredited with the Irish Association of Creative Therapists. He has twice been awarded a scholarship to the New York School of Visual Art. During the COVID-19 restrictions he initiated a creative postcard project inspired by his recovery from cancer. He talks to us about his memories of UCC and the therapeutic role of art in recovery.
What Course/subjects studied in UCC and year of graduation?
I graduated in 1997 with a Social Science degree reading social and cultural humanities. My topics of study and interests were racism, feminism, disability, mental health, homelessness issues, human, civil, and social rights.
What inspired you to train as an art psychotherapist.
I have always been creative since I was a child. My family background also inspired me. I am the son of a well know County Dublin storyteller, 91-year-old Pauline Murphy-Byrne and my sister, Joyce is an accomplished professional pianist.
My main inspiration to train as an art psychotherapist came in the aftermath of a major life event in 2015. During that year, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer. In the aftermath of a major hospital operation, I decided to take a risk in life and look at a creative form and processes, the multi-layered emotional aspects and recovery of my own personal journey. Taking a risk or a leap of faith, like going to counselling or creative therapy is a very important part of any healing process.
I developed the Gallus Project, a photographic exhibition accompanied by several installation pieces. This exhibition looked at my emotions and feelings through the lens of a continuous recovery period - from darkness into light. Mind you, it was not all doom and gloom, as I do have a good sense of humour which was also portrayed in this exhibition. I thought it important that by engaging in a creative form, it would also provide a safe place for other men and their loved ones to engage in a conversation about our mutual health concerns. Building a connection based on compassion, empathy and a shared understanding is important to humans at a time of suffering.
From the Gallus project, I fell into art psychotherapy. Unknowingly, I had intuitively developed some of the basic modalities of art psychotherapy practice. Through facilitation, I have witnessed the power of art psychotherapy in transforming people’s lives and providing coping skills.
How did you got the idea for your COVID-19 Postcard Project and what impact has it had?
I am a humanitarian at heart. In many ways, the postcard project was an extension of who I am. As the COVID-19 crisis became a reality, I could sense that people began to panic, and fear began to take hold. This reminded me of how I felt after my operation for prostate cancer, as I entered an unknown realm. The memory of being housebound and convalescing resurfaced at the beginning of the epidemic. I remember how important it was to receive something tactile in the mail - a letter or postcard, as it resonated that someone stopped to think about me, rather than the transient nature of social media messages.
I also remembered the people who showed empathy and compassion in my own journey. So, I decided to create art-inspired postcards to let them know I was thinking of them too. This creative connection grew and became a daily ritual. To date, I have made over 200 creative postcards and they have reached the shores of North America, Spain, France, Italy, England, and even India. I also included the local post office, shops and supermarkets to say thank you for being there.
How did your time at UCC help you get to where you are now?
I think my learning through academic analytic discourse opened my mind to view social issues in a rational, neutral and impartial way. In my time as a student, I also got to know people from new social backgrounds and identities. My professional work in the library and my daily engagements and interactions with staff and students also added to my understanding of the human condition and behaviour.
In my professional capacity as an art psychotherapist, I have learnt that mental health concerns have no boundaries and can affect everyone at some stage in their life.
Have you any advice for mature students thinking of studying at UCC?
I think it’s important to take one step at a time and reach out if you need help. I have worked in the UCC Library for over 20 years and people know I will always try my best to “help students, help themselves”. This is also the case for most staff in the university.
Were you involved in any clubs or societies at UCC?
I was very actively involved in UCC Dramat. At that time, in the 1990s there were over 30 productions staged every year in the Granary Theatre. Much talent was nurtured and produced, including household names such as Cillian Murphy, Des Bishop, Siobhan McSweeney and Dr Brian Desmond. I have had the pleasure to work with many of them and some are good friends to this day. I was the first mature student to sit on the UCC Dramat committee. We also won UCC Society of the Year twice during my tenure. I was also involved with the UCC Social Work Society in producing student-led Christmas shows for young people.
Find out more about Patrick’s work at www.patrickbyrne.ie