The wordsmiths have been hammering out
the story with their unique skills and from their different
perspectives of poetry, story performance and archaeology for months.
After the planning and polishing, we can finally announce that
tickets are on sale for this amazing event. Thanks to the support of
Creative Ireland's Longford Committee we are able to offer this event
at the low cost of €10 per adult for one day or €15 for both days
(children are free on Sunday, but must be accompanied by an adult).
Tickets for the adults only concert on Saturday night cost €15 or
you can get a combination day/evening ticket for €20. Come to all
events for €30.
Saturday will be an adult-focused day,
as the explorations of some of the themes of the legend are not
suitable for younger ears. John Wilmott of Bards in the Woods (Co.
Sligo) will set the scene for the festival at 12pm on Saturday with a
prequel of the folklore, landscape and mystery that fed into the
Etain and Midir story. This will be followed by the story of the
Three Etains by Gerry Donlon of Bards Aloud (Ipswich) and Kate
Corkery (London). A fascinating examination of morals, impulse
control and consequences, performed by a celebrated storytellers, it
promises to enchant and entertain.
Kate Corkery is a professional
storyteller with a background in language teaching and theatre.
Storyteller in Residence at the Irish Cultural Centre, she has toured
internationally telling stories in China, Russia and South America as
well as appearing in many European festivals. She won a Fringe First
Award for “her outstanding work in regenerating the art of
storytelling in today's society”. We are honoured to have her
attend the inaugural Scéalta Beo festival. Scéalta Beo means living
stories and we are looking forward to Kate's workshop, Bringing
Stories to Life, which will examine storytelling techniques and allow
participants to use their own voice and tell their own tale.
The day programme
for Saturday will conclude with a presentation on the tasks of Midir
by Story Archaeology duo Chris Thompson and Isolde Carmody (Co
Leitrim). We are incredibly happy to be able to welcome them both to
Ardagh as they offer a unparalleled
insight into the depth of the original text and its local
connections.With their usual mix of performance and banter, based on
close analysis of the text they will focus on the wide variety of
feats and challenges undertaken in the long and complicated Wooing of
Etain and explore the mystery of the causeway over Móin Lámraige
built in secret by Midir and its counterpart, the remains of the Iron
Age causeway uncovered at Corlea Bog near Kenagh, Co. Longford.
A special adult only concert will be
held on Saturday 11th, at 7.30pm, featuring all of our guests. This
promises to be the highlight of the festival with a mix of story,
song, poem, magic and mystery. Gerry Donlon and Kate Corkery have
been planning a joint performance, Chris Thompson will present an
engaging, detective style look at the Mystery of Midir, while Bards
in the Woods team, John Wilmott and Claire Roche, will dazzle with
their unique blend of harp music, storytelling, poetry and more.
There are limited tickets available for this online at
http://scealtabeo.blogspot.ie.
Our special family day on Sunday will
have something for all ages. Sign up for our Open Mic session at 12pm
Sunday on the website and perform your own story, song or poem to the
audience (children and adults welcome). Chris Thompson will enthral
with her Warriors and Wizards Family Show at 2pm. There will also be
family storytelling sessions featuring Kate Corkery and Bards Aloud
throughout the day while John Wilmott will teach the craft or
storytelling at adult and children's Find Your Story workshops all
building to a special finale. Come along with all the family for a
spectacular day of magic, myth, dressing up, drama and more. The
weekend promises to be an extremely memorable occasion.
