Horned Witches, Hermits and Hairy Armpits!
Horned witches, hermits and hairy armpits were just some of the stories shared during our first Storytelling night making it a multi-layered, and humorous kind of an evening but how did it start off and did I manage to ditch the fairies?
The story began as I sat on the 357, having successfully boarded the four wheeled TFI wonderous wagon (I could hear Chariots of Fire playing in some far away compartment in my head). I was finally on route for a take two of our first Storytelling Group in the Waterford and City County Library in Dungarvan
Leaving nothing to chance (or fairies) I left myself ample time for mishaps and arrived in the sea side town five hours in advance of our storytelling kick-off. With all the extra time I brushed up on some of my stories and some that I'd learned especially for the occasion. I also did some more research into Ireland's Seanchaí history and stumbled upon a gentleman called Eamon Kelly, what a tonic of a man!
After this I did a bit of shopping, as I'd eaten the biscuits I'd bought the previous week and with my new found fairy free luck I said I'd chance buying some supermarket brands (as it might have been the posh biscuits from the week before that had done it in for me!).
At a quarter to seven the first of the group arrived. I always forget how nerve wracking it is it to meet a new group. There are expectations and I'm always hoping that I can achieve them. On top of that, there's the three second rule of making a good impression and I can be, let's say a bit 'random', so one is never to know what might happen!
But I was a model citizen, shiny and soft spoken with nare a hint of randomness. We started with introductions. I love these as we all get an idea of who each person is and what they are likely to bring to the occasion. We are a group of mixed backgrounds and life experiences which we are all looking forward to unpack as the weeks progress but all in all, we all came for the love of storytelling.
I had high expectations for the evening. I had never been to a storytelling group so I couldn't base what I wanted against anything else but I just knew I had an idea of a feel to it. I wanted to create a space that not only built a social connection and sparked creative potentials but also had a sense of coming home.
There is something so very unique about the isle of Ireland and its deep roots in storytelling. Over my life time I have watched many a sad heart cured with a story shared over a cup of tea. I have also seen many spirits lifted with a humorous tale over the flickering shadows of a crackling fire.
These times, for me, were times when I felt truly present in a special kind of, dare I say, magic. I was a part of life and a part of the land.
Last night was more than I could have hoped for. We shared stories. We listened to each other with such a fierce amount of respect and pride. We took time to encourage each other and most importantly we connected on a human level without the use of smartphones, which is coming a rarity in itself.
I am so very excited about this group and what may come out of this new storytelling venture but if last night is anything to go by there is many a wonderful night to be had!
A special note of thanks to Creative Waterford and Waterford City and Council for believing in my project to allow me get this off the ground!
Until next week!
P.S. for those wondering about the biscuits. Well, we never got around to eating them, there wasn't a spare breath left for a single crumb of Digestive!
