24th of June, 3 pm, North Shore, Sherkin
Three Heads/ Na Trí Chinn on Seven Islands – Creative Writing Workshop: 
Using memories to inspire your writing. Join German storyteller and writer Simone Schuemmelfeder, part of our storytellers in residence, to spark your imagination and train your writing skills. With different writing exercises and writing prompts that utilise the power of memories, Simone will guide you to explore your creativity and enrich your writing journey. Duration: 90min. Aimed at adults.
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25th of June, 11 am, North Shore, Sherkin
Three Heads/ Na Trí Chinn on Seven Islands – Children’s Story Time and Puppetry Adventure
Join Simone, one of our storytellers in residence, for an exciting story time and puppetry adventure. Meet Gimme the Baby Vulture, who knows every story, but can be a bit naughty too, and be enchanted by folktales from near and far. Duration 45min. Suitable for a family audience.

Storytelling on Oileán Chléire & Sherkin April 2025

World Storytelling Day with Bere Island Groups March 2025, with performance with the Bere Island Active Retirement, Men’s Shed & Women Create groups. There was also a visit to the national school on Bere Island

Dursey Island & Surrounds March 2025. Dursey Island visits & performance at Lehanmore Community Center. A night of stories and music

Storytellers in Residence

Exploring themes and rhythms through oral storytelling and composition across the 7 West Cork Islands.

Our Storytellers in Residence Programme for the West Cork Islands has now begun. This 10-month adventure features acclaimed storytellers Paddy O’Brien, Nuala Hayes, and Simone Schuemmelfeder. Supported by Creative Places West Cork Islands, the ‘Three Heads / Na Trí Chinn’ will work across the Islands Dursey, Bere, Whiddy, Long, Heir, Sherkin, and Oileán Chléire. There will be participatory live events, storytelling, song, story exchanges, folklore research, video, and podcasts..

The residency also collaborates with the @cape_clear_storytelling_fest and @storytellers_of_ireland to enhance storytelling traditions locally and internationally.

Cape Clear International Storytelling Festival.

  • Research potential engagements and opportunities across the seven islands.
  • Engage islanders with stories about place and culture on the West Cork Islands.
  • Explore themes and rhythms through oral storytelling and composition.
  • Develop their practice through the creation of new work.
  • Create events, activities and instances informed by islander life and experience.
  • Connect with the Gaeltacht culture and language of Oileán Chléire through story.