Mermaid Tales at Glenmalure Lodge

Mermaid Arts Centre with the support of Wicklow Arts Office, is delighted to bring storytelling to the beautiful setting of Glenmalure. Mermaid Tales will be cosy evening of storytelling by the fire at the Glenmalure Lodge.

All welcome, no need to book.

Read on to learn more about our tellers for the night:

Described as '..keeping alive the tradition of the Seanchaí', Colin Urwin is a folk singer, songwriter and storyteller from Co. Antrim. He is well known locally and performs at venues and festivals all over Ireland, the UK and further afield. As well as his beautifully woven stories drawn from the local legend and folklore of his beloved Glens of Antrim, Colin tells many traditional Irish and Scottish folk tales.

In March 2021 he released his first collection of original songs, A Kind of Love Song, and in July two albums of magical stories entitled The Madman's Window and The Swan Maiden. He has written a book of folk tales which is due for publication in 2022 with Orkneyology Press.

"Colin can do something the rest of us cannot do: he can write an original story and make it sound like it's an ancient tale. His talent for interweaving story and song ensures his work is authentic and original."

Masako Carey was born in Tokyo, Japan. She is trained as a kindergarten teacher, interpreter, and cultural trainer. She met her Irish born husband through business and came to Northern Ireland 20 years ago. She always loved reading but also watching animated Japanese folktale stories on TV as a child. The combination of her experience as kindergarten teacher and the influence of the world of animation gives Masako an expressive telling style. Her increasing repertoire of traditional Japanese tales, some comical, some serious, is now expanding to include tales from around the world. She recently completed a National Open College Network Level 2 qualification in oral storytelling, a course supported by funding from Libraries NI.

Niceol Blue is a storyteller in song, and in spoken and written word. A singer, songwriter, writer, improviser and storyteller, Niceol grew up in Pacific Northwest, an environment that shaped her performance styles. She has performed to audience acclaim all around the US and Ireland. Niceol is a published poet and writer, and her music has been described as “exceptional songs and powerful vocals”. Niceol is a founding member of Moth and Butterfly Storytelling, and fronts several bands and music projects in and around Galway. She is also a founding member of The Sky Babies, Galway’s only professional improv troupe, for whom she helps shape environments through light and sound.

Tóigeadh Máirín i Ros a’ Mhíl i gCo. Na Gaillimhe, agus tá cónaigh anois uirthi i mBaile na mBrabhach. Siad na scéalta Fiannaíochta a rogha scéil, ach insíonn sí scéalta beaga agus móra eile an traidisiúin Ghaelaí chomh maith, agus cumann sí corr cheann freisin. As she herself, she often went to bed listening the sound (in her imagination) of the Seolta Móra pucóideacha pacóideacha been hoisted. Is aisteoir í Máirín chomh maith, agus tá sí páirteach le Aisteoirí Chois Fharraige. She also does drama with schools – national and 2nd level, mostly adapting old stories for the stage. Tells stories in schools, libraries and festivals (Internalional Storytelling in Farmleigh, Three Rivers International Storytelling). Tugann sí léachtanna ó am go chéile faoi na cuid scéalta – in áiteacha ar nós Acadamh na hOllscoilíochta Gaeilge agus Ollscoil Aberystwyth.

Órla Mc Govern is a performer, maker, teller and writer based in the West of Ireland. She is Artistic Director of The Spontaneous Theatre People & The Sky Babies, Galway, a trustee of Theatre 57 and a member of the artist collective Interface Inagh. As a performer she has worked extensively in scripted and improvised theatre around the world, as well as acting and improvising for film, tv and radio. Most recent screen appearance was as Patricia Kelly in Len Collin's multi-award winning 'Sanctuary'. As an actor she lived, trained and worked extensively in the US for many years and was an original member of Improv groups: Seattle goga, Seattle Neutrino Project, and Spolin Players Seattle. She also had the pleasure of performing with Edge Bainbridge, Jet City Improv, Unexpected Productions, and many others in the US. In scripted theatre she has worked at the likes of The Abbey Theatre, Red Kettle, Punchbag, Glasshouse and numerous others in Ireland.

The Glenmalure Lodge,

Glenmalure,

Co. Wicklow,

A67 WF65

GPS: N 52.95749, W 6.3534