A couple of local gents are drinking a pint in a pub near Cushendall, County Antrim, one evening when a redhead comes through the door. “Ah, there’s that Liz Weir who believes in fairies,” one says. Weir, an Irish storyteller with an international reputation, stops. “And you don’t?” He smiles and shakes his head. “So now, tell me, will you be cutting down that fairy tree on your place any time soon?” She means an old Hawthorne...

Some Native American cultures saved storytelling for the winter months when people had time to gather together, repeat myths, share histories and create a common cultural bond. It was an event; something to look forward to. In my town, the only thing that comes close is when children gather for Story Hour at the public library or when Irish storyteller, Liz Weir, makes her annual appearance in Boulder. Aditi Worcester, a video biographer, makes...

100 speakers, 200 panels, 5 days, the 61st annual Conference on World Affairs offered some great quotes about story. No one ever marched on Washington because of a pie chart. You need a good story. —Terry McNally (radio commentator) You need to know where you came from to know who you are. Ask your family for the stories. –Liz Weir (Irish storyteller Boom Chicka Boom) We need a poetic response to reality. –Peter Thabit Jones...

“If you don’t believe in fairies, you’re not Irish.” –Liz Weir, storyteller   “When the first baby laughed for the first time, its laugh broke into a thousand pieces and they all went skipping about and that was the beginning of fairies” –JM Barrie, author of Peter Pan Blog this! Bookmark on Delicious Digg this post Recommend on Facebook Share on Linkedin Share on Posterous share via Reddit Sh