Are you interested in taking part in a cross-border storytelling project?

Storytellers of Ireland, in partnership with The Armstrong Storytelling Trust, have launched a joint cross-border storytelling project called Border Talk, inviting expressions of interest to participate. 

Funded by the International Fund for Ireland (IFI), the project promises to deliver cross border, cross community storytelling events and training programmes to promote the tradition of oral storytelling and in turn develop a network of storytellers who can deliver cross-border events, leading to increased cross-border activities and reconciliation amongst border communities. The border area is a unique landscape with a rich heritage in the oral tradition of storytelling.

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They invite expressions of interest from anyone from the counties of Derry and Donegal. This EOI seeks to establish a group of participants from these counties in a bespoke storytelling training program, leading to a National Open College Network (NOCN) Level 2 Unit in Oral Storytelling skills for performance.

The training will provide participants with essential storytelling skills. Training will include research work as well as presentation skills required to tell stories to an audience. Some preparation work will also be required outside of contact (class) time. Candidates will be required to deliver a short oral storytelling performance and collate a small portfolio of evidence for their final assessment. A laptop / computer with internet access will be essential to take part in the course.

Course Tutors and Assessors : Liz Weir MBE & Stephen O'Hara of Armstrong Storytelling Trust
NOCN Verifier: Colette McCafferty, Travel & Tourism Associates

The course will involve seven sessions delivered in a hybrid fashion; in person and online as set out below;
In-person Session - Saturday, April 5, 10am - 12.30pm and 2pm to 4pm – Venue in Derry city, TBC;
Online Session - Tuesday, April 8, 15, 29 and May 6 and 13th May - 7pm to 9:30pm;
In-person - Saturday, May 17,- 10am - 12.30pm and 2pm to 4pm – Venue in Letterkenny, TBC

Essential Criteria
1. Resident in County Derry or Donegal;
2. Availability to attend all sessions as listed above or at a minimum 6 out of 7 sessions and in-person days are essential;
3. Agreement to be video recorded as part of the group for assessment purposes;
4. Commitment to participating in at least 2 local storytelling sessions.
5. Good internet access for online sessions

To express your interest please click here. This expression of interest will close on Friday, March 14.

If you have any queries, DM us here or contact Colleen Savage Border Talk Project Coordinator on bordertalkproject@gmail.com 

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