Paraig MacNeil
Telephone:
01786 824563 Email:
paraigstoc@googlemail.comWebsite:
www.paraigmacneil.co.ukBRAW network:
noLL funded:
yesBiography:
Since 1988, Paraig MacNeil following in the footsteps of his seanchaidh grand-uncle as a Scottish traditional storyteller, poet/bard and singer with about 1,000 pieces made up of stories, poems, songs, riddles, proverbs old and new and can tell in English, Scots and Gaelic or, as is often the case in a combination of the above, although he works mostly in English. All of the above are performed from memory, as per the old and oral tradition. The subject matters include, tales for wee ones (usually moral), the Fianna (Fingal and Ossian), clans, wonder tales, seal-folk, wise fools, place names, emigration, Jacobites to the Wars of Independence, native African tales, biblical stories, and the age of innovation and discovery or Great Scots of which I am presently writing creatively in verse funded by a Scottish Arts Council writer’s bursary.
About writer's work:
I also run workshops on everything from keys to memory recall, (not for infants), resourcing to poetry workshops and song-writing. In keeping with the living tradition, I also writes original verse in all three languages in the form of lyrical verse i.e. folk song, and was the joint winner of the national Burnsong song-writing competition of 2007. I also write Gaelic medieval poetry/song as Honorary Bard/Seanchaidh for Comunn Cloinn’ Ghriogair (Clan Gregor Society). The themes I that inspire me that I like to write about are, wit and wisdom, heroism, humanity, social comment, racial and gender equality, social inclusion/poverty, protection of the vulnerable, anti-sectarianism, cross-cultural fertilisation, healthy patriotism, cultural identity and tales that link Scots with other ancient cultures, (especially Indians).
About writer's events and projects:
I am available to do storytelling sessions for all age groups, workshops and/or readings. 5 – 8 Animal or moral tales, age 9 – 10 non specific Scottish topics age11 and upwards most of my topics mentioned above. I have a valid Disclosure Scotland Certificate (fully enhanced). My Equity Card covers me for up to £5 million public liability insurance.
Links to other websites:
Luath Press:www.luath.co.uk/acatalog/Brainheart.html
Clan Gregor Society:
www.clangregor.org/macgregor/article-lament.html
Burnsong:
www.burnsong.com/gathering07.html
joebennett.vox.com/library/audio/6a00e398c06464000500e398c16ed10003.html
Scottish Storytelling Centre:
www.scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk/directory/Tellerview.asp?key=60
Equity:
www.equity.org.uk/
Scottish Arts Council:
www.scottisharts.org.uk/
Language:
Gaelic, Scots, EnglishAge groups:
0-4, 5-8, 9-12, Teens, Adults
