Person to Person: 'I’ll always have a special spot for the musicians and storytellers I’ve worked with'

Tell us about yourself;

My practice blends traditional Irish folklore, bilingual storytelling (Irish/English), live music, and contemporary reference to create accessible, humorous and culturally resonant performances.

I have a strong national touring track record and extensive experience delivering work in theatres, arts centres, festivals, and community venues. I love to bring old stories to life with plenty of music and craic.

Where were you born?

Born in Galway, reared in Mayo, but back on the family farm in Clare now, so it’s West’s Awake all the Way!

Where do you live?

Moved back to farm in Ennistymon, Co, Clare, in 2019. I lived in a mobile home for few years while building the house, so now I live and work from ‘The Bard’s Cottage’.

Family?

My family are the Stack clan, originally from Lixnaw in north Kerry. After the Cromwellian rebellions, we lost some lands in north Kerry and crossed the Shannon into Moyasta, Co Clare, not far from Corca Basqua - the seed of the Basque people in west Clare.

Best friend?

Changes every few years, I’ll always have a special spot for many of the musicians and storytellers I’ve worked with over the years, including my brothers, sister, and cousins.

Earliest childhood memory?

Dancing to Greek bouzouki music. My father played bouzouki in the 1970s, when the Greek instrument added a new excitement to the Irish folk music scene.

Person who most irritates you?

Hmm... prob Bertie, although Varadkar is also irritating.

Where was your most memorable holiday?

Went to Australia for a few months in 2003... stayed till 2009... can’t remember that much, but it was influential!

Favourite TV programme?

Ros na Rún!

Favourite radio show?

Marty In The Morning, love the mix of classical, Italian opera, and great craic. Lovely to wake up to.

Your signature dish if cooking?

Mackerel I’ve caught myself in Liscannor Bay, with my own spuds and fresh veg, including beetroot salad, all from my garden here. Yum.

Favourite restaurant?

Ooh La La in Ennistymon does a great crepe -my fave are the galettes. Buckwheat, yum.

Last book you read?

Read a book about fibre. Still farting, and it’s good for us.

Best book you read?

A Confederacy Of Dunces - John Kennedy O’Toole.

Last album/CD/download you bought?

CD - Bob Marley Greatest Hits - for the car. Vinyl - The Harder They Come - Jimmy Cliff.

Favourite song?

Love listening to vinyl records of Django and Grappelli. Can’t beat the good French jazz of that era.

One person you would like to see in concert?

Would’ve loved to have seen Mickey Finn play the Crane Bar in Galway, but he died in 1984.

Saw Leonard Cohen in Dublin once, was epic. Would love to catch Tom Waits if he comes to Ireland again.

Morning person or night owl?

Used to be night owl, but recently changed to mornings and I love it!

Your proudest moment?

Finishing building a house last year. It’s a refurb of an old stone cottage. Started by pulling briars and nettles, and I’m still finishing the floors in some rooms. Took me five years, my hands are still sore.

Spendthrift or saver?

When I was drinking, I spent everything, a little bit more careful now, except when there’s good food, chocolate, or fun times. Grateful to be able to afford nice food, so I tend to lash out a bit on good grub. Forcing myself to buy a new car this year...

Name one thing you would improve in your area in which you live?

A cafe/bistro which stays open till 9pm. All the cafés close at 4pm and as a non-drinker, I love to go out for tea or a meal in the evening, but it’s only pubs showing sports, etc. I think some Irish towns should embrace the bistro buzz.

What makes you happy?

Music. Dancing to reggae and jazz!

How would you like to be remembered?

As someone who helped rediscover the almost lost art of bardic storytelling. I certainly didn’t invent it, but Ireland definitely had her own style of folk theatre and intricate storytelling which could’ve been as advanced as Italian opera, but our performance culture suffered so hugely under Cromwell that we are only finding bits and pieces of Irish bardic story-telling and stitching it back together into the theatres.

What else are you up to at the moment?

Learning a few stories for this autumn’s tour of By The Light Of The Silvery Moon.

I love to read a few stories, then listen to some folklore tapes, and see how the magic of the oral, literal, musical and comical can bind together into a story!

• Following sold-out performances and an enthusiastic audience response, award-winning storyteller, musician and modern-day seanchaí Aindrias de Staic returns with By The Light Of The Silvery Moon, a live production that celebrates Ireland’s storytelling tradition through music, folklore and theatre. Joining him on stage are two of Ireland’s most respected musicians: Brian Fleming on bodhrán, and Aisling Lyons on harp and concertina. Their nationwide tour kicks off at the Cork Arts Theatre, September 3 and 4. Tickets are on sale now. https://www.aindrias.com/