New website showcases Kerry 'Life and Lore'
THE fables and legends of Kerry will continue live on with the launch of a new website dedicated to Irish lore.
Maurice and Jane O'keeffe from Tralee have spent over 20 years recording stories from people all over Ireland, and their website, www.irishlifeandlore.co m, will showcase a vast collection of 3,000 recordings. Visitors will be able to search and download all of these recordings.
Notable Kerry voices include John B. Keane, Mick O'connell and Mick O'dwyer.
The couple are celebrating the occasion with a free download of seven interviews for the month of January. The recording, which usually costs €7, is titled "Kerry Life and Lore - Maurice O'keeffe and Guests" and features storytellers such as Con Houlihan and Eamon Kelly. The same recording on CD may be purchased for €5, including postage, by contacting Maurice and Jane O'keeffe. Again, this offer stands for the month of January.
By creating the website, Maurice says he wishes to emphasise the importance of storytelling.
"It's hugely important, now more than ever, to keep the stories alive. With all the distractions nowadays, people have forgotten the art of storytelling," he said.
The coming weeks will also see the launch of the O'keeffe's Great Houses Collection, which is a collection of the stories of 50 families including the Slatterys and the Dennys from Tralee, and Lord Listowel. These recordings will be available in Kerry County Library.
- AISLING HUSSEY
