Programs

From Left: John Cromie, Bairbre McCarthy and Frank Orsini

Long ago in Ireland, following the oral tradition of the Celts, the storyteller would record all the great events. These stories provided great entertainment for the people of Ireland.

Bairbre McCarthy continues this tradition. Featuring stories of ancient kings, heros and fairy folk, the mythological legends she tells blend with the early history of Ireland. She teaches and performs for audiences of all ages and will design a program to suit requests.

Her summer residence programs and creative writing workshops culminate in student performance of stories.

Bairbre is frequently joined by multi-instrumentalist Frank Orsini, whose skill on fiddle, guitar and harp, enhance Bairbre's storytelling and adds singing and dancing to the program.

For concerts, Bairbre and Frank are joined by John Cromie, (penny whistle, flute and vocals) and sometimes Bairbre's children, Mary Willems (dance, vocals) and Patrick Willems (bodhran).

Reviews:

"The three collaborated to share with a capacity crowd their love of 
Irish folk tradition through solo, duo, and trio performances-- along 
with audience participation. Lively, toe-tapping (who could help it?) 
jigs and reels with Frank's fiddling and John's piping combined with 
sweet airs on flute and Celtic harp, all interwoven with tales of the 
brave and the bizarre, of sense and nonsense, magic potions, 
impossible journeys, good fortune and lost love. And after the last 
song, the performers and audience mingled in an atmosphere of mutual 
appreciation-- which gave rise to an impromptu command performance of 
step dancing with Bairbre in the midst of Irish soul mates, new 
friends not yet ready to say farewell." 
--Carolyn Paine, Valley Falls, NY

"Thank you for touching our children's lives with such a positive, exciting, fun program."
--Summer residency program, Corinth, NY.

"The combination of storytelling and music was unique. It transported
the audience of children and adults into an enchanted land.."
--Crandall Library, Glens Falls, NY.

"The tales told in McCarthy's beautiful, lilting brogue, involved all the best
elements--magic and history and an opportunity for the audience to be
transported to another world."
--Cambridge Eagle

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