Promoting Irish-American Culture
and Preserving Local Histories
Through Year-Round Programs

The 2018 Irish-American Crossroads Festival

  |    |  All Events
Sunday, March 25th

Peig Sayers: an Informance by Mary McGrath

Time: 2-4pm Location: United Irish Cultural Center, St. Francis Room, 2700 45th Avenue, San Francisco

Love her or hate her, Peig Sayers was called the Queen of Irish Storytelling for a reason.  She told many folklore collectors over 300 folktales in Irish, from her home on the Blasket.  She also contributed two autobiographies, one of which, Peig established her as a virtuoso speaker of the Irish language, and the bane of 2nd level students who struggled with it as a piece of curriculum.  Many have resented her work for this reason.

Peig’s storytelling has inspired storyteller, Mary McGrath to create a tribute to Peig, featuring her BBC recordings in Irish, images from the Blasket, and Mary’s retelling in English of Peig’s stories, both folktales and true tales. Time will be planned for a group sharing of information on Peig’s life, her writing, and the experiences of students who remember her from their own school days.  Mary thanks Brigid O”Malley for her work in translation of many stories, including  “No Potatoes”.

Share Share by Email Share on Twitter Share on Facebook