Friday evening, June 17, I took Chas and three of my storytelling students to Ballynacargy to hear Clare Murphy and the Gombeens perform. The directions I got from Google turned out not to be the most direct route, but I’m so glad I followed them. We were on the R390 between Athlone and Mullingar when we spotted a huge rainbow spanning the horizon from north to south. Just then we came around a curve and there was the Hill of Uisneach and the end of the rainbow was touching earth just above the Rock of Divisions. I’m still in a state of delighted, head-shaking wonderment at the synchronicity of that moment. Car-load of storytellers and musicians, rainbow, physical and spiritual center of Ireland and me. It’s a moment in time I will never forget.
Clare and the Gombeens (Jonathan Gunning and Miguel Barcelo) were performing in the parish hall at Ballynacargy, a small village right on the Royal Canal. The hall was packed and we stood in the back. We were a little late, plus, the organizer had decided to start early, so we came in on the end of Clare’s second story, a version of the “Clever Manka” type. She followed that with her changeling story which is really excellent. As usual, Clare brought the characters and their situations to life right before our eyes. When she showed us the changeling pull himself up to the side of the crib and ask for another song from the wise woman you could see her listeners shiver with delight. I was very pleased that at least a few of my students got to see her tell.
We were then treated to the antics of the Gombeens. I had heard Jonathan Gunning at Clare’s last Story Night, and was excited to see him perform with his partner. The Gombeens are “Jesters to His Majesty the People” and “rebellious and insubordinated”. They announced that they were professional fools, and then launched into a raucous bit involving a painting that is, no surprise, destroyed. Much engaging madcappery ensued and the audience loved it.
After a tea break, the Gombeens came back and introduced the local talent. The highlight of that part of the evening for me was to see the young women and men perform the sean nós dancing. It’s rawer than step dancing, and the dancers actually display personality and challenge each other, and even try to push each other around with their shoulders as they dance. It’s lively and sexy, and quite a contrast to the perfect girls with their wigs and stiff dresses we see in America.
Clare and the Gombeens had been in the schools for two days and had done a performance the night before as well. The event was funded by the Westmeath Rural Arts. I’m wondering if they might be a potential source of support for the Three Rivers Storytelling Festival!
We came home by the more direct route through Ballymahon and Glasson and back into Athlone. It took about 20 minutes off our drive time, but still took us through some gorgeous green countryside. Here is a link to our route.Below are Michelle Fish, me, Clare Murphy, Sarah Stevens, and Lizzy Murphy.
