West of Ireland » West of Ireland Library and Cultural Center

West of Ireland Library and Cultural Center

Librarian: Derry McMahon
Curator & Architect: Cunningham Docherty

The West of Ireland Library and Cultural Center exists only in Second Life. At this lovely spot, folks will find readers and storytellers, exhibits on various aspects of Celtic life, free books, and lots of fun.

Please see the West of Ireland web site (http://www.irelandsl.org/about/events-live-music/) for current schedules, and the WOI Storytellers blog (http://www.tr.im/woistory) for further information about the stories and the storytellers. If you are interested in joining the ranks of storytellers, please IM or email Derry McMahon (derrymcmahon@gmail.com) to arrange for an audition. Below you will find bios about the storytellers, and samples of our work.

Opening January 10, the Library’s newest exhibit on the Traditional Musical Instruments of Ireland. The January 10th exhibit dedication will feature an original story by Friend of the Library Rosslyn Guardian and a live harp performance. Enjoy the exhibit at the Library and then stroll over to the WOI Maze and listen to the harp tunes of classic 17th century Irish harpist and composer Turlough O’Carolan, many of whose compositions remain staples among modern harpists.

(http://www.irelandsl.org/about/events-live-music/)

The West of Ireland Library is also proud of its affiliation with the Alexandrian Free Library Consortium. The goal of this consortium is to “not just give out information….but to encourage knowledge, creation, and every type of intellectual growth.” There is a subscriber kiosk now available in the Library that will enable you to get Alexandria Free Library notices without adding to your existing groups. Look for this poster in West of Ireland to get more information and find out about other literary events that are part of the consortium.

STORYTELLERS:

Aoife Lorefield (Tuesday): Aoife Lorefield loves reading aloud, and the West of Ireland Library is a marvelous part of her SL life. She enjoys all kinds of literature, focusing her reading on Ireland, poetry, the lyrical, the mythic, and the fantastic. A writer and educator, she celebrates SL’s creative opportunities.

Caledonia Skytower (Monday): Caledonia has a love of all literature, a broad spectrum of styles and forms . . . but a special love of those “Classics” which appeal to both Adults and Children, though they are often relegated just to the young

Derry McMahon (Librarian): Derry McMahon is Queen Bee and Librarian at the West of Ireland. Her literary preferences lean toward Arthurian legends, chick lit, and fun short stories. Surprisingly, she is a librarian in real life, but finds the WOI Library way more fun than RL.

Elder Priestman: Elder’s smooth Kentucky accent, like a comforting sip of “Maker’s Mark”, brings added richness to his readings from both classic and contemporary American literature.

Shandon Loring (Thursday): Shandon brings a rich respect for Irish Literature, a love of the Land, and a keen sense of whimsy to everything from Ancient Irish Myths to Ghost Stories from around the world.

A Potpourri of Story Experiences (Wednesdays and Sundays): Both Guest and Resident Storytellers bring the fun, the topical, the serious, the comic, classic and contemporary literature to life. Storytellers for these unique sessions include Gracee Andel, Gyro Muggins, Marion Dragovar, Elegia Underwood, Onyx Plutonian, Rosslyn Guardian and more.

Recent Events at the WOI Library

Seanchai Shandon Loring with Algonquin Legends … and a bunch of pesky squirrels! (2.4.10)

Onyx Plutonian with Part II of “Around the World in 80 Days” (2.3.10)

Aoife with the traditions and legends of Imbolc & Candlemas, celebrating and invoking the return of the Sun! (2.2.10)

The conclusion of “The Cricket In Times Square” with Caledonia Skytower (2.1.10)

Caledonia in Magicland with Mardi Gras stories (1.31.10)

Caledonia is joined by friend Corwyn Allen to pay tribute to Scotland’s Bard - Robert Burns (1.31.10)

Shandon reprises his popular “Beowulf” adaptation for the crowd at Fruit Islands (1.31.10)

Shandon Loring with Oscar Wilde’s “The Canterville Ghost” — what happens when the ghost is the one who is haunted? (1.28.10)

Friend Onyx Plutonian with Part I of “Around the World in 80 Days” (1.27.10)

Marian, Elder & Derry (hiding behind he camera!) return to WOI for “Tales of Ships and the Sea” (1.27.10)

Aoife with the varied Legends of St Brigid (1.26.10)

Caledonia with Part II of “The Cricket in Times Square” (1.25.10)

Shandon brings out the gold for “Captain Kidd’s Treasure Tales” 1.21,10

Marian enchants with “Tales of the Wee Folk” including “The Goblin Market” 1.20.10

Aoife leads the “Satire” Open Mic session to a crowd of 20 interested satirists - Thanks to all who contributed! You made it great! (1.19.10)

Derry with some terrific and funny Southern Short Stories at Bayou Noir - “Bless Her Heart” (1.19.10)

Caledonia starts the week with a new story series with Part I of “The Cricket in Times Square” (1.18.10)

Cale and Marian access their inner cuteness’ for “Beatrix Potter Tales” at fruit Island in the sculpture Garden (1.17.10)

Shandon Loring with Ancient Irish “Tales Beside the Fire” … stories passed down orally over many, many years and then written down in the late 19th Century (1.14.09)

Crap Mariner, the ever irreverent, with 100 Word Stories (1.13.10)

Aoife Lorefield with “Writers on Writing” . . . some marvelous insights into the creative minds and processes of notable peeps of the pen (1.12.10)

Caledonia with the conclusion of “The Magician’s Elephant” (1.11.10)

Marian and Derry at the Fruit Islands with “Fairytale Remix” (1.10.10)

The Opening of the “Traditional Tunes” exhibit with live harp and fiddle performances from Rosslyn Guardian and Elder Priestman, and a lovely original story! (1.10.10)

Shandon with frank Delaney’s excellent and epic IRELAND . . . (1.7.10)

Newest Library Friend, Onyx Plutonian, with a Sherlock Holmes Adventure! (1.6.10)

Aoife Lorefield with the Andrea Barret’s short story “Rare Birds” (1.5.10)

Caledonia with Part II of “The Magician’s Elephant” … What if? … Why not? … Could it be? (1.4.10)

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Surprise Stories to Ring in the New year held seemingly spontaneously on New years Eve and New Years Day, presented by Derry and Caledonia (12.31.09 & 1.01.10)

Another delightful original story from the lyric pen and voice of Rosslyn Guardian, PLUS an excellent story on the myth behind the “Blue Moon” presented by Derry. (12.30.09)

Aoife presents a delightful variety of Winter Poetry (12.29.09)

Caledonia with Part I of “The Magician’s Elephant,” a new book by award-winning author Kate DiCamillo (12.28.09)

Cale and Shandon do the “Last Call for Santa Stories” at Magicland (12.27.09)

WOI Storytellers at the Frosty Fruit Island Igloo with Winter and Kwanzaa Tales (12.27.09)

The Annual “Night Before the Night Before Christmas” Presentation of the original “A Visit from St. Nick” poem and various adaptations with Onyx Plutonian, Marian Dragovar, Caledonia Skytower, and Derry McMahon … PLUS Shandon and Caledonia reading “How The Grinch Stole Christmas” (12.23.09)

Aoife hosts a Holiday Open Mic Session to a packed and enthusiastic audience . . . great stuff folks! (12.22.09)

Caledonia with the exciting final chapters of “Secrets of a Christmas Box” (12.21.09)

Aoife and Derry present Solstice Stories to some special guests (12.20.09)

Christmas & Solstice Stories with Derry and Special Guest Rosslyn Guardian, with EXTRA Special Guest, Santa Claus (12.16.09)

Marvelous Irish Tales of Christmas from the pen of John B.Keane, read by Aoife Lorefield (12.15.09)

Dicken’s “A Christmas Carol” fills the library with over 50 eager guests (12.14.09) Photo courtesy of Crap Mariner

Carols at Cork Cathedral - a non-denominational celebration of Christ’s Mass (12.12.09) Photos courtesy of Annie Whalen

Shandon Loring with Christmas Stories not just once, but twice in one evening. (12.10.09)

Derry draws a crowd with Holiday Goblin Stories . . . or that skirt : ) (12.9.09)

Aoife with delightful Irish Christmas Stories by Author John Keane (12.8.09)

Caledonia with “Secrets of a Christmas Box”, a brand new holiday tale by first-time author Steven Hornby (12.7.09)

Gyro, Derry, and Caledonia tell Wintry Tales at Frosty Fruit Islands (12.6.09)

Shandon with the first “official” Christmas Story of the season “Captain Eli’s Best Ear” . . . as you see, he’s adopted the ever-adorable “Pengie” for the season. (12.3.09)

Derry with “Winter Solstice” by Irish Author Lucy Costigan . . . a woman’s journey to healing and the role the Newgrange and the solstice play in it (12.2.09)