I had a number of wonderful conversations with Maria on her recent visit to the Storytellers conference in Halifax. To give a sense of the wisdom and humour of her style, here is one we formally recorded. A transcript of our talk would not do her justice but even recorded audio only scratches the surface. I recommend meeting her, or any professional storyteller, and hear them practice their craft.
In any case, here’s the first Nova Sociable podcast! It’s very fitting that somebody so skilled in the oral tradition was the guest!
Maria’s Bio
(from her site Story From Seeds)
Maria was the Irish Storyteller in Residence for Kerry Writers Museum from 2019 to 2022. She was the Artistic Director for the Listowel International Storytelling Festival 2020 to 2022. Maria is currently working as an archivist with Sheahan’s Storytelling Cottage in Finuge – a 300 year old traditional Rambling House in Finuge, Co. Kerry
She is a well-known popular storyteller on the storytelling circuit in Ireland and on the Cyberspace Platform. She is a well-known Bean An Tí (Irish Session Host) on the Irish Storytelling Circuit.
She is the preferred storyteller of Colette Travel Agency (the oldest existing travel agency based in the USA) for their premium storytelling experience in Cork. Maria delivers stories of Ireland’s Ancient East, Wild Atlantic Way, the Diaspora bond with America and the impressive history of Cork City and Cobh Harbour.
Maria delivers Erasmus training in storytelling and storymaking. She participates in programs like the Grammer School system in Ernst, Germany and the Education through Story progamme in Croatia in 2024.
An Award-Winning Irish Storyteller
She won the longest-running Story Competition in Ireland – Finuge twice
The Butter Roads Storytelling Competition in Blarney
The Bealtaine Hero Award to co-create stories from gathered memories of yesteryear
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