Live storytelling events have made a comeback and historic house venues are just part of the allure …
Image; Mary Hegarty, Historic Houses of Ireland, and Jane Gormley, Craicly
Jane Gormley founded Craicly, a storytelling project, two years ago. While in theory, in our digital age, people should be more connected than ever, over the past number of years Jane (who has a background in tech and recruitment) became aware of a growing social isolation, the loneliness epidemic we now refer to, particularly in rural Ireland. “Loneliness is a dreadful a fiiction, and governments all over the world are struggling to find solutions to this. There are massive negative health implications, and I find it really sad,” explains Jane. “This is my creative response – storytelling and sharing experiences with people around you is so powerful for community building. Stories are important when it comes to influencing our behaviours; I encourage everyone to build in time for tech-free, people-focused time in their lives.”
The Octagonal Room at Castlecor, Co Longford, a 17th-century hunting lodge, one of the members of Historic Houses of Ireland.
Spurred on to find a way to bring people together in her adopted home county of Kildare, she believed a storytelling circle was the way to start building or rebuilding a sense of community. “We have so much to celebrate in Ireland, and the Irish inherently have the community spirit, not to mention the storytelling talents, to tackle loneliness on a local level, and connect ourselves to the places we live.”
“There is both a simplicity and a great ceremony to a Craicly event – and the stories take over. You just trust it to happen every time.”
Craicly at Ballyvolane House, Co Cork.
Jane finds unique venues all over the country in which to host live events. Craicly has hosted at Ballyvolane House in East Cork, in June Blake’s dreamy garden in Blessington, Co Wicklow, on farms and in stables, drawing attendees from local communities. Events are advertised on social media, the Craicly website and to a mailing list of story-loving subscribers. The evenings are always themed: a topic might be specific, such as “Working with Animals”, or as broad as “Journeys”. Storytellers are selected in advance, and invited to share their stories on the night. Guests will not be asked to share a story on the evening unless the mood strikes them, and then they are welcome to do so. There’s time for mingling at the beginning and end, with drinks and supper served. “Some of the stories that bubble to the surface at these events, both from the chair and in conversations before and after, are amazing,” says Jane. “There is both a simplicity and a great ceremony to a Craicly event – and the stories take over. You just trust it to happen every time. Rural Ireland rocks – and should be celebrated!”
Stradbally Hall, Co Laois.
The venue is as important as the stories that are told. Jane is always on the lookout for interesting spaces that people wouldn’t normally have access to. In 2025, Craicly is linking up with Historic Houses of Ireland (HHI), a charitable organisation which represents Ireland’s privately owned historic houses and castles, to embark on a series of events in special houses around the country. Stradbally Hall in Co Laois is the first venue, on Saturday February 22, followed by Whitestown House in Naul, Co Dublin on March 29. Jane’s aim is to reposition the Big House, with its complicated history, by sharing stories of the past and bringing together people connected to the houses and surrounding region. You do not have to tell a story to attend a Craicly event, but if any readers would like to share a story for consideration, Craicly welcomes submissions via its website. Tickets (€70; www.craiclystories.com) include a light supper and drinks.
IN OTHER STORIES …
Seanchoíche at Fumbally Stables, Dublin 8.
Founded by Ciaran Gaffey in Dublin, Seanchoíche is a fast-growing live storytelling platform that has gone global with events in Edinburgh, London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Sydney, Melbourne, New York, and all over Ireland. Storytellers share poetry and prose based on the theme of the night. @seanchoiche
Dublin Story Slam at The Pavilion Theatre, Dun Laoghaire
Dublin Story Slam runs an open mic competitive storytelling night, hosted by comedian Colm O’Regan, which takes place in locations around the city, sharing the extraordinary stories of ordinary Dubliners, with members of the audience also encouraged to share their tales. The group celebrates its ninth birthday this year. “Luck” is the theme of the event on March 20 at The Civic Theatre in Tallaght. @dublinstoryslam
