Co. Kildare Federation of Local History Groups
Annual Seminar
Kilcullen Heritage Centre
Saturday 13 September 2014.
9.30 – 2 p.m. (Book Launch 11.30)
€15 (including lunch in Fallons)
Members of the public can attend the entire event but if they only wish to attend the Book Launch then they are advised to come around 11.30 a.m. It is free to attend the launch and performance of The Quiet Men – lunch may be booked on arrival
PRESS RELEASE
Deputy Mayor, Cllr. Frank O’Rourke, will launch the County Kildare Federation of Local History Groups Annual Seminar on Saturday 13 September in Kilcullen Heritage Centre. This is an exciting opportunity for the twenty-one local history groups within Co. Kildare and other interested parties and individuals to come together and share their passion for local history and heritage. One of the most popular parts of the morning, ‘Society Speak,’ allows each group 5 minutes to highlight what they have been doing through the year, bringing fresh ideas and experiences to the fore.
The County Kildare Federation of Local History Groups was formed in 1999 in order to optimise the resources of local groups and foster communications, exchange ideas, and generally raise the awareness of local history groups within the county as well as improve accessibility and representation on relevant county committees and associations.
Each year the Seminar features a keynote speaker and a lecture on some aspect of local history but this year the Federation is proud to host the launch of a new book, Kildare Folk-Tales, by Kildareman, Steve Lally. The book will be launched by Chairman of the Federation, Mr. James Durney, well-known author and local historian.
The launch of Kildare Folk-Tales will be followed by an exciting performance of storytelling, music and recitations, by The Quiet Men, Steve Lally and Ray Dunne. Kildare Folk-Tales will be available to purchase on the day. The Seminar will be followed by lunch in Fallons.
Kildare Folk Tales:
County Kildare abounds in folk tales, myths and legends and a selection of the best, drawn from historical sources and newly recorded local reminiscence, have been brought to life here by professional storyteller Steve Lally. Included in this collection are the exploits of the Wizard Earl of Kildare who lived at Maynooth Castle, the legend of the lonely ‘Pooka Horse’ said to dwell amongst the ruins of Rathcoffey Castle, the story of St Brigid, the patron saint of County Kildare, and the tale of the time the Devil decided to make a house call. Full of wit and wisdom, these tales tell of the strange and macabre; memories of magic and otherworlds; and proud recollections of county heroes such as Dan Donnelly, Ireland’s first Heavy Weight Boxing Champion. The captivating stories, brought to life with unique illustrations from the author, will be enjoyed by readers time and again.
The Quiet Men
The Quiet Men (The Bard & The Storyteller) are an educational group consisting of published author, artist and storyteller Steve Lally from Rathcoffey and singer / songwriter and performer Ray Dunne from Athy. The Quiet Men present a diverse and enjoyable repertoire of stories, songs and poems, ranging from world and Celtic mythology to folklore, which is both educational and interactive for young people and adults of all ages. In ancient Ireland the role of the bard was to compose poems and songs, recording the great deeds of the kings and chieftains whom they composed for. The role of the storyteller was to re-live the epic tales of mythical warriors and heroes, telling cautionary tales of what may happen if you were to cross them. What is most important about the roles of both the bard and the storyteller was that they brought light into the dark winter nights and hope and magic into the minds of ordinary people. Now with these two great traditions combined, “The Quiet Men” will take you on a journey through the mists of time revisiting the folklore, songs and mythology that made Kildare great.
Steve Lally
Storyteller Steve Lally originally from Rathcoffey, Co. Kildare now lives in Co. Down, has worked as both an artist and storyteller throughout Ireland for over fifteen years. He has been involved in many storytelling based projects over the years dealing with a diverse range of subjects such as Peace Building, Cultural Identity, Special Needs and Mental Illness. He is part of the ‘Poetry Ireland Writers in Schools’, scheme and was Northern Ireland Representative for Storytellers of Ireland. He has written and illustrated a book on the ‘Folk tales of County Down’, published by ‘The History Press’ in July 2013. His new book the ‘Folk Tales of County Kildare’, will be on the shelves at the end of August 2014.
Ray Dunne
Singer/songwriter Ray Dunne is originally from Athy, Co. Kildare and now lives in Armagh. He has worked as a musician for over 15 years. He has released two EPs one album and currently in the process of releasing another album this year. He played all over the world and played at such renowned events as Glastonbury, Liverpool Irish Festival and The Newfoundland Folk Festival alongside the late Seamus Heaney. He has made appearances on RTE, TG4 and BBC, with his music reaching international audiences.
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