2012 Programme

You can also download a printable pdf version of our 2012 programme.

A new addition to this year's festival is the "Residency Programme" (Adobe .pdf download); two days with some of our talented guests and performers. An ideal opportunity to hone your artistic skills and experience the benefits of coaching, professionals sharing their stories etc.

We recognise the importance of storytelling as an educational tool. With this in mind, the festival offers a wide range of performances and has tailored a schools programme (Adobe .pdf download) which will be of great interest to both primary and secondary school students alike.

Opening Night

Ryland Teifi & Róisin Clancy - Niall de Búrca Anna Coogan & Daniele Fiashi

Date: Wednesday, 26 September, 8 pm
Venue: Town Hall Theatre
Admission: €16 (discounts for multiple tickets)

"Back by popular ..." or "as requested ..." an opening night event of poetry and song with Ryland Teifi and Róisín Clancy. Both award winning performers together on stage to bring folk songs intertwined with stories, poetry and prose.

Followed by a special guest appearance; Niall de Búrca is without any doubt the young audience's festival favourite. The most prolific Irish contemporary storyteller and a master at giving it all a twist.

To close the opening night event, Anna Coogan. For many Anna was the revelation, the discovery of last year's festival. She will be accompanied by guitarist and close collaborator Daniele Fiashi. They will perform songs from their new wonderful album "The Nowhere, Rome Sessions"

Creative writing - exploring the myth

Singer songwriter workshops

Date: Thursday 27 & Friday 28 September
Admission: Booking - contact the festival office for further details 058 75410

Residency - Master classes - Coaching On Thursday 27 and Friday 28 September we'll run our very first set of residency programmes. Workshops tailored to develop skills and assist with exploring what inspires you and how to express it. A new addition to this year's festival is the "Residency Programme". An ideal opportunity to hone your artistic skills and experience the benefits of coaching and professionals sharing their stories etc. Creative writing with Grace Wells and Lani O'Hanlon Singer songwriter sessions with Anna Coogan and Ryland Teifi

Read more about Grace Wells | Lani O'Hanlon | Anna Coogan and Ryland Teifi

Storytelling Southeast for Schools

Admission: for schools only

Primary schools:
We believe bringing storytelling to the children is a great educational tools and an exciting opportunity. We will host events in the Town Hall Theatre and also give the option to have storytellers visit the schools. Niall De Búrca, Alan Murphy, Wobbly Circus, Fiona McDonagh and Bríd Nielsen and many more.

Secondary Schools:
For the secondary schools we want to engage through a very contemporary storytelling format; film. Screenings in SGC Dungarvan will present 'Cinema Paradiso', 'The Truman Show' and the acclaimed Irish film 'Inside I'm Dancing'.

Film professionals will also give talks in the schools and introduce young people to the process of telling stories through film. Adding literature, authors Sarah Webb and Annabel Pitcher will also visit schools and share their experiences.

Saturday Young Audiences

Date: Saturday 29th September
Venues: St.Mary's Church of I. and Lower Main Street Admission: €3 / €2 for workshops / others free

Workshops 8 to 16 years Limited capacity book early. Creative writing, dance, drawing & painting, pottery, music, storytelling

My street is my canvas
the Enchanted Forest 2 pm Lower Main Street a collaborative visual arts project. Street painting and decorating ... (8 years +) We’ll recreate an enchanted forest.

Facepainting and afternoon tea for young and old in St. Mary's Church of I. vintage tea rooms - 2 to 5 pm

Judi Curtin

Date: Thursday, 27 September
Venue: 11 am - Tramore Library and 5 pm - Dungarvan Library
Admission: Free

Judi Curtin is the best-selling author of the "Alice and Megan" series. Curtin has a delightfully light touch, she writes with deceptive simplicity, and it's refreshing to come across a story that you can happily give to a bright seven or eight year old who is longing to read a 'proper' book." IRISH INDEPENDENT

Maura Byrne

Date: Friday, 28 September, 4 pm
Venue: Dungarvan Library
Admission: Free

Originally from Abbeyside, Maura is the author of the popular and funny "Bridget in Werewolf Rehab". She returns to her home town Library and invites children to discuss her book and explore their own stories.

Sarah Webb

Date: Saturday, 29 September, 11 am
Venue: Dungarvan Library
Admission: Free

A true storyteller with a fantastic connection with her audiences. Sarah's children's books have been shortlisted for the Irish Book Awards and the Queen of Teen Award. She is currently working on her fifth Amy Green novel for readers of 10+ "Ask Amy Green: Dancing Daze" (out in September).

Annabel Pitcher

Date: Saturday, 29 September, 2 pm
Venue: Dungarvan Library
Admission: Free

"My Sister Lives on the Mantlepiece" ... , lives off the page, has a warmth you can bask in. Honesty you can cut with a knife. (The Guardian) Winner of Banford Boase Award 2012 - Shortlisted for; CILIP Carnegie Medal 2012, Waterstones Children's prize, The Guardian children's award, Galaxy children's book of the year, The Red House children's book of the year.

Mad Sweeney / Suibhne Geilt by John Ennis

Date: Wednesday, 26 September, 5 pm
Venue: Bridge House
Admission: €5

On the opening day acclaimed poet John Ennis will read and talk about Suibhne Geilt (Mad Sweeney). A narrative based on his book "Near St Mullins" with contemporary resonances.

The second opportunity will be at the Poetry from Canada especially Newfoundland event; readings combined with an early bird serving of tapas in the atmospheric Tannery Cookery School on Sunday 30 September at 5 pm. John has been instrumental in the curation of this programme.

Ennis may be a scholar but his poems reek of earth and blood rather than dusty shelves. - POETRY INTERNATIONAL He is, I would say, the most interesting and original poet of his generation … he is . . . a frequently glorious loner - Brian Lynch IRISH TIMES

Mark Roper & Eric Sweeney

Date: Thursday, 27 September, 8 pm
Venue: St.Mary's Church
Admission: €5

Poetry and church organ; intimacy and solemnity A most fascinating artistic collaboration; poet Mark Roper working in tandem with Waterford composer Eric Sweeney. The programme consists of Eric playing organ pieces, Mark reading poems, then Eric improvising behind the reading. One of the most accomplished and engaging poets writing in Ireland at present - IRISH LITERARY SUPPLEMENT

Read more about Mark Roper & Eric Sweeney

"Tales from the wild" by Melina Coogan

Date: Thursday, 27 September, 5 pm. Friday, 28 September, 6 pm. Saturday, 29 September, 3 pm
Venue: Bridge House
Admission: €3 at the door

blogger - adventurer - storyteller - dare devil - explorer

Melina will share her wilder stories, her tales of adventure and passion for the great outdoors. Having just spent the summer in Alaska , Melina will tell harrowing stories about a life lived on the edge of adventure. From the silence of severe hypothermia to the thunderous roar of drowning in wild water, her stories of survival are laced with humour and insight.

After her talks, she'll be available to the younger aspiring storytellers and introduce them to virtual storytelling, and the elements of writing powerful, autobiographical narrative online. Melina is an inspiration. Her drive, passion and the desire to share stories are a fantastic discovery.

Bernie McGill

Date: Friday, 28 September, 5 pm
Venue: Dungarvan Library
Admission: Free

Bernie McGill is the Irish playwright and writer of the haunting and beautifully written; The Butterfly Cabinet. She generously facilitates insight into the solitary world of the writer and offers a pathway into this craft. Not all writers have the ability to practice and convey their art, this is a rare opportunity to engage with a writer about how to write.

"...a remarkable novel - lively, beautifully written, with a host of powerful, eloquent characters. It is steeped in Irish history, folklore and the landscape. It has great humanity and enduring authority." TOM PAULIN May 2012

"Merrybegot" by Mary Dalton

Date: Friday, 28 September, 7 pm
Venue: Old Market House
Admission: €6 (Early bird booking: €5)

Focus on writing from Canada and Newfoundland Mary is one of our special guest poets from Newfoundland. She will read poems from her book "Merrybegot". These are small monologues which contain narratives of community relations. Together they are meant to give a sense of the vitality of Newfoundland speech and of the intricacies of community relations.

She'll also introduce emerging talent from Newfoundland as part of a new exciting exchange programme. "Besotted by words, especially the sounds of words knitted into patterns" The best pure discovery…the most original poet. - THE YALE REVIEW

Eoin McNamee & Keith Donald

Date: Friday, 28 September, 6 pm
Venue: Bridge House
Admission: €5

Reading & music Writer Eoin McNamee, acclaimed for his novels, based on true crimes, is joined by the renowned saxophonist Keith Donald (ex-Moving Hearts)

Eoin McNamee's first book, the novella "The Last of Deeds", was shortlisted for the Irish Times Literature Prize and his novels include "Resurrection Man", which was later made into a film, and "The Blue Tango" which was long listed for the Booker Prize. Eoin wrote the screenplay for the Michael Winterbottom film, "I Want You". "McNamee's style is refreshingly taut and spare, full of active verbs. He does not describe what his energetic characters are doing. He just lets them do it." - The NEW YORK TIMES

Read more about Eoin McNamee & Keith Donald

Grace Wells & Pat Boran

Date: Saturday, 29 September, 1 pm
Venue: Old Market House
Admission: €6 (early bird booking €5)

Poetry double bill
Pat is one of the greatest poets of his generation. His poetry captures the sublime resonance of the Irish landscape and contemporary life. One of the most exciting and rewarding contemporary Irish poets - IRISH EXAMINER Resolutely amusing and emotionally resonant - SUNDAY BUSINESS POST - Gentle. Affectionate, good-humoured. Heart-breaking. - THE IRISH TIMES

Grace is very involved as a mentor in the workshops. This is a unique opportunity to (re-)discover her work. Her poems are firmly earthed in reality yet intimately connected to the mythical. "Poetry is composed of many different elements; one of its main foundations has something to do with expressing a maximum of meaning with a minimum of words. The distilled essence of a poem is only reached through tireless editing."

Randall Maggs

Date: Saturday, 29 September, 5 pm
Venue: Bridge House
Admission: €6 (Early bird booking: €5)

Focus on writing from Canada and Newfoundland Randall is one of our special guest poets from Newfoundland. There will be two opportunities to see Randall at the Festival.

On Saturday he will talk about ice hockey and read some poems from "Night Work - The Sawchuk poems". The personality of a true ice hockey legend - Terry Sawchuk - is explored in this work. And beyond the player, the great game. Randall Maggs seamlessly links this to hurling too ... His special interest in GAA and ice hockey is expressed in his book and will feature at this event.

"Through his marvellous, moving poetry, Randall Maggs gets closer than any biographer to the heart of the darkest most troubled figure in the history or the national game." - Stephen Brunt - GLOBE & MAIL

Poetry from Canada - Newfoundland Mary Dalton - Randall Maggs Armand Ruffo - John Ennis

Date: Sunday, 30 September, 5 pm
Venue: Tannery Cookery School
Admission: €25 - including tapas and wine Sample the delights of poetry combined with tapas and wine Supported and attended by the Canadian Ambassador

How the light gets in An evening of some of the best poetry in the atmospheric setting of the Tannery Cookery School with Paul Flynn designed tapas and wine. Samples of a monumental trek across the Canadian poetic landscape; vibrant and dazzling, an exciting literary journey of discovery. The focus on poetry and writing from Canada, especially Newfoundland, is a new addition to Storytelling Southeast. This transcends beyond the festival and aims to develop ongoing exchanges.

Read more about Mary Dalton | Randall Maggs | Armand Ruffo | John Ennis

Storytelling by candle light

Date: Thursday, 27 September, 8 pm
Venue: The Moorings - An Seanachaí - Bridie Dee's
Admission: Free

Now in three venues. One of the real treats of the inaugural festival last September.

An evening to celebrate traditional folklore and how stories were told; set by candlelight to enhance the mood and create a serene atmosphere for the audience.

A rare treat for all audiences who want to experience the age old tradition of the 'seanchaí' in picturesque surroundings, and who feel like absorbing the richness of storytelling and where it all began.

Walk the walk ...

with John Young Starting from Bridge House and with Liam Suipéil Starting from the Cunnigar car park

Date: Friday, 28 September, 5 pm
Venue: Bridge House & Cunnigar car park
Admission: Free

There's a long and wonderful tradition with storytellers bringing their audience on a guided walk. Facts interlaced with anecdotes and at times dramatic or funny stories. John Young will bring his audience on a discovery tour of Dungarvan town. Liam Suipéil will evoke the natural splendour and the history of the Cunnigar.

Celtic Connections - Gilles Servat & Guests

Date: Friday, 28 September, 8.30 pm
Venue: Town Hall Theatre
Admission: €16 (discounts for multiple tickets)

Our focus on Brittany opens with a very special guest: Gilles Servat. He is the most established, the most recognizable voice of Brittany. This is a real treat and unique opportunity. Not to be missed. A true ambassador of Breton culture. He weaves the Celtic thread through his songwriting, poetry, performance and music. A prolific artist. Gilles is at home in Ireland, the country that has inspired him. He has written songs about it, and performed with some of the best Irish singers including Ronnie Drew and the Dubliners.

A special evening of storytelling and song. He will bring the story of Mac Dathó's pig to the stage. With guest musician Donnchadh Gough.

Celtic Connections - Cécile Corbel (quartet)

Date: Sunday, 30 September, 7 pm
Venue: Town Hall Theatre
Admission: €15 (discounts for multiple tickets)

Our focus on Brittany closes with another special guest; Cécile Corbel. She is a Celtic harpist and singer-songwriter from Finistere in Brittany. Her latest album Songbook Volume 3 (2011) is a continued exploration of her pop-folk musical world, infused with an oriental influence and inspired by Celtic culture.

... a superstar, her etheric voice, soothing arrangements and harp mastery. Eric Peterson AMAZON ... An irresistible voice LE TELEGRAMME/MAG 2005 Paris Young Talents Award Best Song 2011, "Arrietty's Song", Anime and Manga award ceremony organised by Aim Eland (magazine). Sound track album of the year - Golden Disc award Japan.

A taste of Brittany "Village Breton"

Date: Thursday, 27 September, 1 - 5 pm and Friday & Saturday, 28 & 29 September, 10 am - 5 pm
Venue: Dungarvan Castle
Admission: Free

Brittany is a region with an absolute passion for the arts and an outstanding food culture. To give our festival goers a taste of this, we have a variety of produce and samples mixed with entertainment. Partnering with the Waterford Festival of Food, we bring samples of the best of the Southeast.

SATURDAY ENTERTAINMENT IN DUNGARVAN CASTLE
2 pm - storytellers Eléonore Nicolas and Fiona Dowling 11.30 am, 12.30 pm, 1.30 pm - Comeraghs Comhaltas promotes the traditional performing arts through education recreation festivals concerts and sessions from its centre in Cuil na Smear in The Comeraghs.

Read more about Eléonore Nicolas | Fiona Dowling

A taste of Brittany - Cookery demonstration

Date: Saturday, 29 September, 4 pm
Venue: Tannery Cookery School
Admission: €15

Critically acclaimed chef and owner of L'Auberge in St. Anne d'Aurray, Jean-Luc Larvoir will use locally sourced produce to serve up his own interpretation of the culinary magic of Brittany. As he and Paul Flynn share the same passion for food and drive to exceed expectations, this will be the ideal opportunity to sample some of the delights of Brittany and of the Southeast.

Read more about Jean-Luc Larvoir and Paul Flynn

Music by the Lookout - Petri Chor, Mendocino, Liam O'Maonlaí

Date: Saturday, 29 September, 4.30 pm
Venue: The Lookout
Admission: €3 (to get close to the stage and enjoy a festival atmosphere)

A new event; a musical exploration and celebration. An outdoor stage by the Lookout with the stunning backdrop of the sea.

Local talent; participants of the singer / songwriter workshops
5 pm - Petri Chor - Limerick based new band
6.30 pm - Mendocino
7.30 pm - Liam O'Maonlaí

We kick off with local talent; songwriters who have had a day of mentoring. Immediately followed by the new Limerick band Petri Chor. "The guys are thumbed to be one of the West's most interesting up and coming original bands."

Mendocino are a folk country trio based in County Waterford, Ireland. Their songs and music are an original blend of contemporary writing fused by the the traditions of Ireland, Wales and America. "A certifiable bolt from the gods" NME "Amazing, inspirational songs" BBC

Read more about Petri Chor | Mendocino | Liam O'Maonlaí

Music by the Lookout - Liam Ó'Maonlaí

Date: Saturday, 29 September, 7.30 pm
Venue: The Lookout
Admission: €3 (to get close to the stage and enjoy a festival atmosphere)

To conclude our music event by the Lookout, Liam Ó'Maonlaí will perform ... Liam doesn't need further introduction ... Liam is a storyteller, a true bard, a poet and artist. He will perform on stage by the Lookout, a magical place, visually stunning and a place to celebrate creativity.

"Traditional music does not belong to me. I belong to it. The same as the land."

Closing Night - Susan McKeown

Date: Sunday, 30 September, 9 pm
Venue: Town Hall Theatre
Admission: €15 (discounts for multiple tickets)

Susan will perform songs from her album "Singing in the Dark". Her stunning vocal range and the richness of the text combined are the perfect way to conclude the 2012 events. This is a rare opportunity to have intimate access to an international artist. Lyrics are adapted from poetry by: Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill, Leonard Cohen, James Clarence Mangan, Lord Byron, Gwyneth Lewis ...

Susan is a Grammy Award winning vocalist, composer and producer. Born in Dublin in 1967, she was influenced by her mother, an organist and composer. Susan abandoned a promising opera career to sing folk and rock in her passionate, dynamic, richly coloured contralto voice. She walks on the wild side of Gaelic melody BOSTON GLOBE - McKeown grabbed both song and audience by the throat, dragged them through heaven and hell and back again - ROLLING STONE

Late night music trails - Participating pubs

Date: Friday 28, Saturday 29, Sunday, 30 September, after 9 pm
Venue: The Local, Merry's, The Anchor
Admission: non-ticketed event

Storytelling Southeast is a celebration in the community, a set of festive events and of traditional entertainment. Some of the best sessions are in our local pubs; live entertainment mixed with chat ...

The Local - one of our key venues - will have traditional music and guests on after 9 pm during the festival.

At Merry's the focus will be on singer songwriters. Atmospheric sessions in an intimate setting.

The Anchor will be the festival's club venue with live music and DJs for those festival goers who want to continue on. An eclectic mix of traditional and folk talent in The Lady Belle.

Finbar Furey

Date: Thursday 27 September, 8 pm
Venue: The Local
Admission: €20. including a free pint of Guinness

Finbar Furey has a unique pedigree - an All-Ireland Uillean Pipe and Whistle Champion, singer/songwriter as well as playing 5-string banjo and guitar and now actor. Finbar has been round the block many times with brother Eddie, recording for Transatlantic records in the 60's and after 30 years of phenomenal success as the frontman for the family group, Finbar decided it was time to pursue his solo career and concentrate particularly on his own song writing, singing and playing the instruments for which he is loved - the uileann pipes, 5 string banjo and the low whistle. An eclectic mix of traditional songs and celebration.

Sunday Family day

Date: Sunday 30 September
Venue: Walton Park
Admission: Free events - enjoy a relaxing Sunday at the festival.

Workshops & competitions 8 to 16 years
Storytelling, acrobatics, music.

Enter the magic of storytelling in our yurts in Walton Park

Learn tight-rope-walking with Wobbly Circus

Live in Walton Park - Jason Serious
Jason Serious made his songwriting debut in 2009 with the indie band Flea Market Poets. The response was overwhelming and the track "Met Jack Kerouac" was picked up by RTÉ and resulted in an invitation from RTÉ 1 Arena Live.

Read more about Wobbly Circus | Jason Serious

West Waterford Writers

Date: Thursday, 27 September, 6 pm - Bridge House and Saturday, 29 September, 6 pm - Bia Blásta
Admission: Free

Poetry & music Four local poets explore the landscape of West Waterford and the landscape of the body. An opportunity to discover the writing from local poets. John Daly, Dolores Ronayne, Clodagh Beresford Dunne and Lani O' Hanlon.

Spoonful of Silence - Written & performed by Entre Les Mots

Date: Thursday 27 September, 5 pm - Tannery Cookery School and Friday 28 September, 7 pm - Nude Food
Admission: €15

A Spoonful of Silence has a Zen-like emphasis on taking your time and not doing a million things at once. It's a kitchen-table drama not so much about language as it is about the destructive folly of busy bee Capitalism. Words, you see, can't really be eaten but care and consideration can be nurtured. A soupçon of very digestible wisdom, indeed. - The Irish Times She is waiting for you by the stove in her cosy kitchen, sprinkling rose petals into a freshly made pot of tea. Hold a warm cup in your hands and embark on a journey to the present moment. This unique play has sold out in previous festivals. It is advisable to book early.

Read more about Eléonore Nicolas (Entre les Mots)

"What the Dickens" - Encore Stage Academy

Date: Sunday 30 September, 2 pm
Venue: St. Mary's Church of Ireland
Admission:

'What The Dickens' celebrates Charles Dickens 200th year Anniversary! Encore Stage Academy will preform extracts from Dickens popular novels such as 'Great Expectations' 'David Copperfield' and 'A Christmas Carol' with the Gothic surroundings of St Marys Church.

Armand G Ruffo on Norval Morrisseau

Date: Thursday, 27 September, 7 pm
Venue: Old Market House
Admission: €6

Armand will give an interactive and illustrated talk about the influential artist Norval Morrisseau intertwined with poetry and visuals.

Norval Morrisseau was an Aboriginal Canadian Artist. He created works depicting legends of his people, the cultural and political tensions between native Canadian and European traditions, his existential struggles and his deep spirituality and mysticism. His style is characterised by thick blue/black outlines and bright colours. He was a founding member of The Woodlands School of Canadian Art and a prominent member of the 'Indian Group of Seven'.

"He is a true genius in the art world and left a mark that will forever be remembered." - Paul Ronbinson, Toronto, Canada

Let's talk about film - Professionals on how they shape the story

Date: Saturday, 29 September, 10 am
Venue: Bridge House
Admission: €2 (at the door)

Film is contemporary storytelling; With the ability to impact the way audiences feel, think and behave after leaving a screening ...

A morning of discovery; informal meetings with our film guests to find out more about how their specific profession helps shape the story. An ideal opportunity to find out more about what happens behind the scenes of the stories.

With: Armand G Ruffo, Paul Bolger, Peter Conway ...

Read more about Armand Ruffo | Paul Bolger

Street Portraits - Mark Henderson

Date: Friday & Saturday, 28 & 29 September
Venue: Bridge House
Admission: Free

Street portraits; Mark is setting up studio in Bridge House for two days and will invite people to come in and sit for a portrait. In addition, some of the Festival's guest, staff and friends will be subject matter too. In that way, Mark will observe the Festival and his portraits will bring a very personal reflection of the people in the town at the event. Photographer Mark Henderson has worked extensively in the worlds of youth culture, music, design and travel.

"Observing the observation. The Festival is about observing how we tell stories today. Some people participate, some simply watch. But we all observe. The performer watches his or her audience, the poet observes the environment, the audience ... But as this is so much the essence, is not equally important to observe how that observing happens?"

2 films to discover !

Date: Saturday, 29 September - 10 am - "The Happy Movie" and 12 noon - "A Windigo Tale" - Armand Ruffo
Venue: SGC
Admission: €5 per film

"The Happy Movie"
The Happy Movie - in Buthan the government measures wellbeing and happiness, the same way GDP is measured elsewhere. It is beyond a measure of success, it's a measure of basic necessity, of true humanity. The importance of being happy.

This film explores happiness and celebrates it. Arizona International Film Festival — Audience Choice Award Amsterdam Film Festival — Grand Jury Prize

"A Windigo Tale" - Armand Ruffo
A Windigo Tale - filmed on Six Nations Reserve in Ontario and in the Ottawa Valley, A Windigo Tale is Ojibwe poet Armand G Ruffo's directorial debut. Produced on a shoe-string budget, in demanding conditions, the film ignites the screen with determination and heart and tells a powerful story of intergenerational trauma and healing.

American Indian Film Festival — Multiple Awards Dreamspeakers Film Festival — Best Picture & Best Actress

Read more about Armand Ruffo | The Happy Movie

Documentary film club

Date: Wednesday 26 September, 6 pm and Thursday 27 September, 6 pm
Venue: Bridge House
Admission: €5 - free for students

A selection of Nemeton TV documentaries

Nemeton TV's reputation is based on the ability to tell fascinating stories in a compelling way. The productions have won multiple awards nationally and internationally.

The Documentary Film Club - a new addition - will be based in Bridge House and continue screenings and talks about film making throughout the year.

The selection presented as part of the festival aims to showcase the narrative in non-fiction.