Clare Muireann Murphy, a Dublin-born storyteller and writer who has brought warmth, humor and a fresh perspective on life to audiences around the world, will give a free public performance at Vanderbilt University April 1.
Murphy’s performance, “Inisfáil: Island of Destiny,” will begin at 7 p.m. in Wilson Hall, Room 126.
“Clare Murphy’s dynamic performance here in 2011 received an enthusiastic response from the Vanderbilt and Nashville community, and we are thrilled to be able to invite her back to delve deeper into Irish tales,” said Mark Schoenfield, professor of English and department chair.
In “Inisfáil,” Murphy invites listeners “over the threshold” into the interwoven mythic tales of Irish heroes and gods. According to the story, the Irish gods burned their boats upon arrival at Inisfáil so they could never leave the island of their destiny. They fought fiercely against foes and prophecies to keep their land for themselves. Kings fall, battles rage and prophecies are fulfilled in this epic telling of the mythological cycle of tales from Irish mythology.
Murphy has performed in more than 20 nations, collaborating with artists, teachers, companies and universities. She has participated in many international festivals, including the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tenn. Her stage history includes the Globe Theatre, The Barbican, and the Soho Theatre in London. She will visit Vanderbilt in the middle of her current U.S. tour, which culminates at the 66th annual Conference of World Affairs, where she will be a featured performer.
The London-based performer is part of the Talking Skull Collective, an artist’s collective dedicated to exploring and developing the art of storytelling in the modern world. Murphy’s website notes that she is dedicated to the art of curiosity and to the word, spoken or written.
The Vanderbilt Department of English will host a reception for Murphy following her performance. For more information, call (615) 322-2541.