Tag: community

Pat Speight has been telling stories for more years than many of us can remember, and that skill and experience shines when he revels in the role of Fear an Tí (FAT). At the September Mixtape in Callanan’s, he started reeling us in with a story of a boy’s first day at school, the blacksmith’s cure, and a mighty breakfast the following day.

Pat then introduced the first teller, the inimitable Terri Ryan, who gave us a new twist on her bachelors’ story and the arrival of dancehalls in rural Ireland. As Terri said, “the farmers took to these ballrooms like the tide took to the moon,” and continued with a romp of a story interacting with these bachelors, we were in stiches thanks to Terri.

Fresh off the boat from the Cape Clear Storytelling Festival, Liam O’Shaughnessy gave us his own spin on a story he heard from Amy Douglas, about a man who was absolutely mad for the road and had the worn-out boots to prove it. His luck changed when a little man traded his resting spot for a new pair of yellow boots. A gorgeous story, told well by Liam.

Our resident uilleann piper, Stevie O’Brien, started with a beautiful tribute to the recently deceased Paddy Keenan. Stevie told us Paddy was a huge influence on all pipers, and that he made the instrument popular, vibrant and valued, before playing us Sliabh na mBan, a tune he heard Finbarr Furey playing at Paddy Keenan’s funeral. Stevie finished the first half of the Mixtape with a trio of jigs, including Mrs. Geary’s and Paddy Keenan’s.

Rob and Eileen were rushed off their feet behind the bar during the interval, but it was no bother to them. They got everyone watered before Deirdre O’Mahony started the second half of storytelling with her magical story about the midwife who was whisked off into the night by a tall, dark stranger. “We’re going far and we’re going fast, hold on tight,” and we all did, as we were transported to another world through Deirdre’s evocative telling.

Colm Ryan was up next, to tell us an epic territorial battle story of one man versus the mighty Miny Minx. There was howling, blood, scratches, tears and the sobbing cry of a man in his 50s. There were dreamies, teasers, a catio and a garden hose. We can assure you, no cats were harmed in the telling of this story but we can’t say the same for the man!

Pat was back to tell us a short tale to settle the crowd, about a Cork man sailing to an oil-rich city in the far east and getting the surprise of his life when he walked down the gangplank.

To finish the music, Stevie introduced the low whistle and charmed us with “The Butterfly,” before reverting to the pipes for Henry Mac Dermot Roe, followed by two slip jigs and a lesson on how to distinguish between reels, jigs and slip jigs. You learn something new every day!

Pat Speight closed the night of storytelling with a heartfelt one, set in Cromane near Glenbeigh, about a blind man and the efforts he went to for his wife. A beautiful ending to a great evening of stories.

Thanks a million to Rob and Eileen in Callanan’s for providing the perfect setting for us. Thanks to Deirdre O’Mahony for putting the night together. Thanks to the tellers and musicians for the entertainment. And most of all, thank you to the generous listeners , we really appreciate your ears.

Thanks to Colm Ryan for these photos