Seanchai

The Irish love to talk I think it’s what we’re best at. We also love to listen to talk or stories. A visitor to Ireland will figure that out quickly just by listening to Irish radio or visiting a pub. Every Irish person has a party piece a story they like to tell. Doesn’t matter that the listener has heard it a hundred times already, this is their party piece and they have the floor. Throw in a few drinks and you’re laughing. Paddy tell us an ol’ story will ya!

In the old days Seanchai or itinerant storytellers roamed the country. In exchange for a hot meal a bed and a small donation they would tell their stories.  People would gather around the fire and the Seanchai would tell grand tales of his journeys and the great moments in Irish history. From the High Kings of Ireland to Saint Patrick and monks writing the Gospels, Norman raiders, poets and politicians, to the centuries long savage grip of the English. Illuminating the magic of Ireland and the connection of it’s people to the land. Good food, drink and a good time would be had by all. Between tales someone would play a fiddle or tin whistle and rebel songs would be sung.
At Vinegar Hill o’er the pleasant Slaney
Our heroes vainly stood back to back,
But the Yeos at Tullow took Father Murphy
And burned his body upon the rack.
God grant you glory, brave Father Murphy
And open heaven to all your men;
The cause that called you may call to-morrow
In another fight for the green again.
There are no more Seanchai but the tradition of story telling is alive and well in modern day bloggers. Everyone has a story so go on you have the floor.

Dora Meulman