Storytelling and song alive in Aughkillymaude
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Michael O’Reilly from Killeshandra showcasing the wonerful art of storytelling in Aughkillymaude Community Centre. PHOTOS: Sean McMahonImage 2 of 7
Reviving the ancient art of story telling in the Aughkillymaude Community Centre. From left: Barry MacAulay, Arts Care; Julianne Skillen; Frank Galligan, facilitator; Brian McManus, chairman of the Aughkillymaude Community Association; Clare Lawlor, co-ordinator for the ‘Here and Now Festival’ in Belfast; Brendan O’Reilly, Killeshandra and Sean McGovern, Teemore.Image 3 of 7
Singing a traditional song Mummers style, as Brian McManus, Aughkillymaude Community Association enjoys the rendition in the background.Image 4 of 7
Pa Joe Kennedy reciting one of his brilliant thought-proving poems in the Aughkillymaude Community Centre.Image 5 of 7
Declan Fitzpatrick from Derryvonna, Belturbet, imparting a hilarious gem of story with a focus on two eggs in a suitcase.Image 6 of 7
Out for the count - is there a doctor in the house.Image 7 of 7
Hard to beat a bit of traditional dancing by the mummers.The Irish tradition of story telling is being kept alive is a little spot called Aughkillymaude, a few miles out the road from Derrylin, and performers come from all over Fermanagh, Leitrim and Cavan, to showcase their talents and personalities.
The facilitator of these evenings of story-telling, song, music and dancing is Frank Galligan. The weekly Wednesday showcase is supported under the Arts Care programme of events. Arts Care runs projects across Northern Ireland covering a wide range of artistic and health and wellbeing genres and disciplines.
Frank explained that he does a lot of work in this area and highlights how Arts Therapy is great for people’s physical and mental wellbeing.
He had a chance encounter with Brian McManus, who is a member of the famed Aughkillymaude Mummers.
Frank is very proud of his strong Cavan roots - his father having hailed from Killeshandra. “I am a proud half Cavan man,” he laughs.
At the age of 16 years, Frank’s father was hired out in Teemore and ended up playing football there. “I also found out later in life that he also played a few games for Fermanagh and then ended up in Donegal for many years.
“So, I knew this area and was aware that it was very rich when it comes to folklore, stories, music and we had our first gathering here a couple of years ago. Over 20 people arrived and I was knocked out – brilliant stories, poems and songs. Arts Care were delighted last year and they gave me the thumbs-up to go at it this year again,” he revealed.
The Celt paid a visit to the showcase on a Wednesday night earlier this month for what marked the culmination of the second year of the programme.
There is a strong Cavan participation in the weekly showcases. “Cavan is full of talent and I am glad it still is and we saw lots of it here tonight,” Frank told the Celt.
He’s hopeful for a return for a third season and is confident that the people from Arts Care were impressed with what they witnessed on the night. “I know there is much more talent to come forward,” said Frank who has a special place in his heart for the Celt.
While in Donegal, Frank’s father had the Celt posted from Killeshandra every week for over 40 years.
“I got to know the paper and I loved it and especially the stories at Christmas time,” said Frank.