WIS Database of Writers

Joe will take you on a journey of magic and wonder through the highways and byways of Ireland, from his native Wexford to his home in Donegal. He will bring you over the seas to exotic and mysterious lands that lie beyond the horizon of our imaginations. His repertoire of folktales, myths, legends and original stories reflect the wide gamut of human experiences and emotions.

Joe is a natural communicator, very much at ease with any audience. Growing up in Wexford he was steeped in stories of days and characters past by both his parents. His affinity with stories, and those who inhabit them, was further deepened through his work as a teacher and radio broadcaster, and by his experiences travelling. Joe has told stories in schools, libraries, nursing homes and community locations across Ireland and beyond. He has also facilitated workshops in storytelling and creative writing with a wide range of groups including school children and teachers.

He has featured in numerous storytelling festivals including Nyskund Storytelling Festival(Norway); Cape Clear International Storytelling Festival; Loug Gur Storytelling Festival; Mohill Storytelling Festival; ‘Stories from the Hearth’ Festival, Wexford; Sperrins Storytelling Festival; Ulster Storytelling Festival, Cultra; Wainsfest and Bealtaine.

Joe is the author of the highly successful children’s play The Witchin’ Well. The Witchin’ Well was first commissioned for the Earagail Arts Festival in Donegal and subsequently toured Ireland twice. It also travelled to Bucharest for the ‘100, 1000, 1000000 Stories’ International Theatre Festival for young audiences. Joe has also told stories and facilitated workshops as part of this international festival. Joe was also a guest at the ‘Rainbow Festival of Theatre for Young People’ in St. Petersburg.