Cork's Conal Creedon given ‘hero storyteller’ honour at Féile na Laoch festival

One of Cork’s favourite writers has spoken of his delight at being named a laoch reacaire, or ‘hero storyteller’, at the recent Féile na Laoch festival in Cúil Aodha.

Every seven years, Féile na Laoch, or the Festival of Heroes, is hosted in Cúil Aodha, in the Múscraí Gaeltacht in County Cork.

The septennial celebration is inspired by the creative legacy of the late Cork composer Seán Ó Riada, and honours the cultural contribution of artists across seven creative disciplines: Literature, music, dance, art, performance, poetry, and song.

This year, Cónal Creedon, novelist, playwright, and filmmaker, was honoured as one of the laoch reacaire.

Soulful

He described the festival as “a soulful engagement and a deep homecoming”.

“My father’s people come from these hills. And so it has special, personal significance that two of my nieces and my six-year-old grandniece, Edith Blake, were here from London, such a wonderful opportunity to connect with her Irish heritage. 

"Total immersion in Irish language, culture, the arts — the soul of Ireland is laid bare at Féile na Laoch. This far-reaching féile is the brainchild of Peadar Ó Riada and it takes a parish to bring it to fruition.”

Other artists celebrated were singer Liam Ó Maonlaí, of Hot House Flowers; Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, of Altan; singer Celine Byrne; sculptor John Behan; artist Maria Simonds-Gooding; virtuoso fiddler Martin Hayes; actor Stephen Rae, and poet Annemarie Ní Churreáin.

Lúnasa

Féile na Laoch is part of the greater nationwide ancient Gaelic tradition of welcoming Lúnasa, one of the four seasonal celebrations. Traditionally observed during the first week of August, Lúnasa takes its name from the ancient demigod in Irish mythology, Lugh.

Mr Creedon said it had been an honour to have been part of the festival. “It defies description: Féile na Laoch is lightning in a bottle. If you missed it this year, you’ll have to wait seven years, until 2032, before you have the opportunity to witness it again.”