Fiona Dowling

County

Mayo

Genre

Storyteller

Sessions

Storytelling Session, Storytelling Workshop

Age Group

5 - 6, 7 - 10, 11-15, 16 - 18

Level

Primary, Post Primary

Availability

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Mornings, Afternoons

Travel

Yes

Publications/Repertoire/Productions & Background Experience

Repertoire
I tell world tales, humorous tales, wisdom tales, participation stories, trick stories, story-songs, stories from Irish Mythology and French Folklore as well as tales from my own childhood spent between Ireland and France. I like to refer to the French language or to elements of French culture in my performances as a way to appeal to children’s natural curiosity. I sometimes draw on my background as a visual artist, incorporating drawing within a particular story, or telling stories through drawing or origami as a way to engage all senses in the performance. I tell in English or French.

Productions & background experience 
Founding member of the Dublin Storytelling ensemble ‘Story-O’

Storytelling facilitator for the Ark as part of ‘Story Spark’ 2010.

Co-curator of Story House for Clonmel Junction Festival in 2011.

Shortlisted finalist for the Listowel Storytelling Competition 2011

Storyteller in residence for Helium Arts and Health in Temple Street Children’s Hospital 2010/2012 and in Cork University Hospital’s paediatrics ward with Musician Caoimhe Conlon 2011 (‘Scales and Tales’)

Co-creator and performer of ‘Why? Cause that’s the way it is!’ a Science and Storytelling project for children 2012

Featured teller at ESOF Science Week, Collins Barracks Dublin and UCC Cork 2012, Ballymun Intercultural Day 2012, Paris Centre Culturel Irlandais 2011, Clonmel Junction Festival 2011, Dublin Patrick’s Day Festival 2011, Family Day Airfield House, 2011, Brigid’s Day Collins Barracks 2011,The Five Lamps Festival 2009 and 2011, Mohill Storytelling Festival 2010, Learning Festival, Drogheda 2010 and Killruddery Enchanted Gardens Family Festival 2008.

Session Details

A typical session involves me telling a selection of stories and answering any questions the group might have around storytelling. The younger the group, the more I would use interactive material and participation stories, and with all age groups I like to engage in dialogue. In my choice of stories I do my best to respond to the group that I am working with, their mood, their interests, their ‘appetite’ for certain stories, their concentration. For the younger age groups I might incorporate an element of drawing towards the end of a session as a way of allowing the stories to settle.

Age Group Details

I tell to all ages.

Availability Details

Full-time and prepared to travel.

Telephone

876562042

Email

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Website

http://www.fionadowling.com