By Karen Bennett and Shannon Thomas-Ziemnik
Karen relates:
Celtic Tales Storytelling
Located in Galway, the Crane Bar is one of the best-known places for traditional live Irish music. The upstairs level is where most of the entertainment takes place, and on Thursday evenings, you can enjoy a cold pint while being enchanted by a storytelling session of Celtic Tales.
Rab Fulton is a storyteller, award-winning author, educator, and podcast producer. In my opinion, his Celtic Tales storytelling is nothing short of magical. His expressive delivery and engaging presence easily pull the audience right into the heart of the stories.
With decades of experience in creative writing and storytelling, it is no wonder I was completely captivated from the start. I was drawn in like a fish on a line, unable to resist the pull of the story. Rab’s storytelling has such a magnetic quality that I willingly let myself be swept away, eager to follow wherever the tale would take me.
Drawing from the rich traditions of Ireland and Scotland, Rob skillfully weaves together historical accounts, magic, folklore, mythology, and humor into captivating tales that leave audiences spellbound. His storytelling is more than just a performance; it is his art form.
He combines adventure and his vast knowledge in a way that adds depth to each tale. Rob also invites the audience to participate with sounds that enhance the storytelling more, keeping everyone engaged and ensuring a memorable experience for all.
If you ever make it to Galway, a trip to the Crane Bar to see Rab Fulton’s storytelling sessions is definitely worth your time. If you cannot make it there in person, you can still enjoy Rab’s storytelling on his podcast, The Celtic Tales Chronicles Podcast. I have listened to a few episodes and though it may not be the same as a live session, I am still equally enthralled by his voice, expression, and authenticity in making a story so interesting.
Full disclosure: I must admit that the beginning of the storytelling session was a bit challenging for me. It certainly did not go unnoticed by the audience around me when I accidentally swiped Shannon’s freshly poured pint of Beamish off the table, spilling it all over myself and the floor.
I was mortified as the bartender quickly wheeled over a mop and bucket to clean my mess, the mop bucket a beacon for all the people in the room to witness my clumsiness. I then had to run downstairs to get a fresh pint, missing the first five minutes of the show. Thankfully, Rab continued without noticing my interruption, and the only casualty was my ego. I’ll chalk this one up to jet lag. Do Not Be Afraid.
Shannon Relates:
Seamus Heaney: Listen Now Again
Your favorite book covers can form a timeline of life’s most memorable moments. The red, glossy cover of Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss serves as a warm reminder of my mother’s encouragement as I read to her in the cozy space of my childhood bathroom.
The soft, flowing scarf of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s Le Petit Prince evokes the whimsy of high school French class where I fell in love for the first time. The stark silver and black design of Seamus Heaney’s translation of Beowulf transports me back to Dr. Ruff’s Old English course at John Carroll University and serves as my very first introduction to the infamous Irish writer.
It may seem odd that my first introduction to Heaney was not through his own poetry. When I purchased his translation of Beowulf at twenty years old, I had yet to realize the importance of the man behind it. His very deliberate choices of words and phrasing reflected his own experiences. How could they not?
Heaney was no stranger to writing about what he knew. Afterall, isn’t that the beauty of poetry, to capture the ordinary in extraordinary ways? Heaney felt like a classmate with whom you once shared meaningful moments, only to forget over the years—until hearing their name again stirs a gentle nostalgia.
National Poetry Month
While walking in Dublin this past December, my nostalgia was stirred. A massive banner of Heaney outside the Bank of Ireland Cultural and Heritage Centre welcomed me back to my old classmate. I had no idea what gem I just stumbled upon.
Seamus Heaney: Listen Now Again is a free curated exhibition by Professor Geraldine Higgins, Director of Irish Studies at Emory University. The exhibition, created in partnership between the NLI, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, and Bank of Ireland, serves as an interactive experience of Heaney’s life.
The curated experience is defined by a striking contrast of light and dark images. Large installations of Heaney’s words, in English and Irish, stand in contrast to glass cases that encase personal letters and photos.
It is an interesting tour of Heaney’s life caught in yearly chapters. Arguably one of the most powerful items on display is Heaney’s desk. Pieced together, the desk composed of two oak planks from an old bench at Carysfort College in Dublin, placed atop two short cabinets. This was Heaney’s preference- a desk with a story.
Peppered throughout the exhibit are wooden benches encouraging visitors to slow down for a moment. I am sure it is no accident that a bench was placed across from Heaney’s desk.
While seeing Heaney’s beloved desk was moving, my favorite part of the exhibit was learning about Heaney’s annual Christmas card he made for family and friends. The card featured a poem and occasionally a drawing, often from his daughter Catherine.
I immediately thought of J.R.R Tolkien’s Father Christmas letters he wrote to his children. There is a unique beauty when writers openly express their nostalgia, setting it apart from their usual writing style.
The Irish have a very rich history with poetry and poets. I suppose that is why it feels right to spotlight Heaney in this month’s column, as April is National Poetry Month. It is ok if you have never heard of Seamus Heaney before. The beauty about Heaney is that you can discover him at any age, and it will be the right time. His lessons have no expiration.
Seeing Karen and Shannon’s column made me seek out the exhibit, and I loved walking through the quotes, stories and pictures when I found it in Dublin on Thursday. Thank you for the great story and the inspiration to go see it myself. It is wonderful.