This March, a programme of events in Scotland, surrounding St. Patrick's Day, illustrate how these two great nations are moving in the oldest yet closest of friendships and explores how often there has been a reluctance to admit or engage this closeness, with both nations holding on to a complicated historical legacy and becoming intimate strangers, existing with their backs to each other and reluctant to forge new chapters.
Under the theme 'Connecting Voices' and supported by Cultur Eireann, musicians, writers, storytellers and educationalists forge creative links across a variety of festivals and events with the mood music already set by Celtic Connections, exploring the shared heritage and creative links as well as the intricate history of both homelands. Events are taking place in Edinburgh, Glasgow’s Aye Write Book Festival and as part of StAnza, St. Andrew’s annual poetry Festival.
The Storytelling Centre is proud to present three cracking events that delve into the highs and lows, provocations and delights, lives and loves of Celtic life. The events will explore Ireland and Scotland’s created literature which is of world standing and how both countries’ command of the English language reaches long tap roots into older tongues, as Scotland and Ireland learn from and challenge each other.
Tuesday 16 March: Women of Ireland
3pm (90mins), £6/£4
Three leading ladies of Irish story – Nuala Hayes, Clare Muireann Murphy and Liz Weir – guide us through an entertaining afternoon of tales from all four corners of the Emerald Isle. Discover the past and present, male and female, north, south, east and west of Ireland and expect stories of all shapes, sizes and emotions from a trio of spellbinding women.
Wednesday 17 March: Across the Water: Scotland and Ireland
7pm (2hrs), £8/£6
A host of storytellers – John and Noreen Hamilton, Clare Murphy, Audrey Parks, Marion Kenny and Donald Smith – take a fresh and captivating look at what Ireland means to Scotland and vice versa. Discover the connections and differences with a light-hearted and relaxed evening of yarns, delivered by some of the highest quality raconteurs from both sides of the water. The perfect alternative to kick start the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Saturday 20 March: Tall Tales Oscar
7pm (2hrs 15mins), £8/£6
In time-honoured Irish and Scottish tradition, storytellers compete to tell the tallest tale. With deadpan – or even surreal – conviction, the cream of raconteur prowess tries to convince you, the audience. Will female seductions or downright male mendacity win through? It’s up to you! Judge and vote for your winning story, and the supreme Tall Tales Trophy – a leprechaun called Oscar – is awarded to the best tall tale spinner.
Tall Tales Oscar also takes place in Glasgow’s Mitchell Library on Friday 13th March at 7pm.
Storytellers participating in Edinburgh include: Liz Wilson, Michael Kerins, Gerry Durkin, James Spence, Noel Cochrane and David Campbell, plus the event is hosted by reigning champion Jack Martin.