More than 300 children from 9 local primary schools in 6 towns in Offaly visited selected libraries in Offaly in June to be entertained by 5 storytellers of national and international renown as Offaly County Library Service joined in the annual 3 Rivers Storytelling Festival. This month long celebration of the traditional art of storytelling marked its fourth year in 2011 which was also Offaly County Library Service’s first year taking part, joining longer term participants in East Galway and County Westmeath.
Tullamore Library saw Aideen McBride entertain pupils from 4th class in Scoil Eoin Pól and 2nd class in Gealscoil Eiscir Riada on Friday 3rd June. Also in Tullamore Library, on Wednesday 8th June, Liz Warren was greeted by 2nd class pupils from St. Joseph’sNational School.
Liz Warren in Tullamore Library
In Edenderry Library on Friday 10th June classes from Gaelscoil Eadan Doire (Snr Infants, 1st class, 2nd class, 3rd class) were treated to a storytelling session with Danielle Allison.
On Friday 17th June, Liz Weir performedin both Birr and Clara Libraries for Oxmanstown Model School in Birr (Junior Infants to 2nd Class) and 1st class pupils from Scoil Phrionsias Naofa Boys School and Scoil Bhride Girls School in Clara.
Liz Weir in Clara Library
Offaly Library Services participation in this year’s festival finished up on Friday 24th June when Pat Speight appearedin Ferbane Library for 3rd & 4th class pupils from St. Cynoc’s National School and later in Banagher Library for 2nd class pupils from St.Rynagh’s National School.
Pat Speight in Ferbane Library
The storytelling sessions were a great hit with pupils (many of who were still talking about the event a week later), teachers and library staff and enabled the festival to succeed spectacularly in its goal ofhighlighting one of Ireland’s greatest treasures – its stories – while strengthening bonds among the communities in the Midlands. We look forward with anticipation to next year’s festival!