The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Long and short tales at Sneem storytelling fest
SIXTH FESTIVAL OF STORYTELLING AND FOLKLORE DRAWS 0VER 1,000 FANS TO SOUTH KERRY VILLAGE
IT WAS a weekend packed with the usual suspects as tales – long and short –were regaled with a deep passion and love of culture and humour. Over 1,000 people attended various events at this year’s Sneem International Storytelling & Folklore Festival which is now a festival growing from strength to strength.
Friday’s ‘Storytelling in an 18th Century Barn’ with Kate Corkery was bolstered by the mandatory tea and scones as over 60 people enjoyed the event. The Storytelling Concert featured tellers from the US, UK, Cork, Cavan, and Kerry with Listowel’s Frances Kennedy one of the main highlights. This was followed by the famous Storytelling Pub Trail which saw all the festival tellers moving from pub to pub in the village.
The Saturday night centrepiece was ‘The Man in Woman’s Shoes’ written and performed by Mikel Murfi which was met with an enthusiastic response by the 250 strong audience who just about confirmed everything that people had heard about the talent, energy and genius displayed in this performance. Another highlight was Kate Corkery’s autobiographical short play, ‘The Sweet Shop on the Shore’ which was extremely popular and every bit as enthralling as Mikel Murfi’s production.
Saturday and Sunday morning was given over to the children who were entertained by tellers Len Cabral and Kate Corkery which was well attended at Sneem Crèche. Adults were catered for at various times also, and locations around the village which included workshops and storytelling sessions featuring Cavan’s Jack Lynch, Len Cabral, Kate Corkery and Killian Burns.
Killarney toastmaster supremo Sean Lyons told stories about a middle-aged Irishman at Sneem Hotel; Batt Burns delivered ‘fake news’ at the Blue Bull Pub; The South Kerry Rosen Choir performed ‘Songs of Kerry’ in the local Protestant Church with the kind permission of Reverend Kavanagh who also accompanied on guitar.
“The Committee of the Festival would like to express their warm thanks to our fantastic storytellers and performers and our many local sponsors who help make this festival the success it is. Also, a special word to all our wonderful volunteers without whom none of our plans would actually become realities,” said festival PRO, Rosie Crouch.