A storytelling visit to Cork city is always a pleasure for me, and my mini-tour of November 2-4 was no disappointment in that regard.
Sunday night's session at Bradley's on Barrack St. saw many of the "usual suspects" back again for another dose of mystery, piseogs, humour and even a bit of religion! I was in this very house last year and my only care was that I wouldn't repeat myself. To do so would be giving less than value for money, I thought. No one complained at the end, so either their memories were faulty or they were pleased with what they'd heard.
A children's afternoon session at the Corner House on Coburg St. on Monday had as many adults (if not more) as children, so allowance had to be made for those young in years as well as those "young in spirit"!
Tuesday in UCC was, as it usually is, a blur of activity. Three hours of stories to Irish and foreign students eager to see in practice a tradition all have heard and read of but few enough have experienced directly.
Whatever about them it's certainly an inspiring experience for me each time I visit. Why? Simply because a storyteller without an audience is the very same as a conductor without an orchestra. Pointless.