Once Upon a Time in Ireland is an interactive storytelling of Irish folk tales, myths and legends. Everybody is invited to join in the rhymes, rhythms and dances in this magical experience!

Máire tells the students an intriguing Irish folk tale with memorable characters and exciting scenarios. Máire performs a variety of vivid characters wearing different costumes. She chants rhymes back & forth with the children and leads interactive body percussion. Even in a crowded hall there is space for everyone to stand up and copy the dance moves in their place – great fun to beautiful Irish music.  

Máire’s repertoire of stories includes The Pot of Gold, Finn McCool, The Piper and the Puca, The Magic Shoes, and Tír na nÓg – adapted for children of all levels. Schools can select the story in advance. As the tale finishes, a dozen students are invited on stage where they get to wear a costume or play a percussive instrument for the finale, following Máire in dance moves, as everyone else stands to join in the fun.

Irish folklore is all about mystery and this appeals to children the world over. Whatever their cultural background, everyone can benefit from Irish folk tales and find parallels in different traditions. This program aims to expand vocabulary, fire the imagination, and open up creative communication.

As in many cultures worldwide, Irish storytelling includes warnings to children, moral lessons, funny and supernatural characters, ghosts, giants, wise old women, famous warriors and leaders that keep listeners enthralled. In Once Upon a Time in Ireland, Máire draws on her Irish Dance background to enliven her stories. Adding this physical aspect to the tale gives students the opportunity to experience the lively rhythms of jigs and reels. Poetry is central to Irish literature – students can recite amusing rhymes with gestures. Irish culture seamlessly blends story with dance, music, spoken word, rhythmic games and theatre. Students can experience the stirring beat of traditional tunes and ancient sounds as they respond to Irish music, dance and stories in shared delight.