Welcome!
My name is Cathy Jo Smith but I have also used the professional name "Caítlín na Sí, seanachai" (KAWCH-leen nuh SHEE, SHAN-uh-kee), which is Irish for "Katie of the Fairies, storyteller".
Besides stories, I have a display/performance about the Irish Wake for both Irish festivals and regular venues. The handouts from the Wake tent are now here as "Wake Decorum"and "Basics of the Wake". I would ask that anyone using them give me proper credit.
How it all started...
Back when my daughter was in first grade, her teacher had a program called "Mystery Reader". Each week, a different parent would come in and read a short book to the class--it was always kept secret and sometimes the parent would even come in costume.
Well, I picked right before Halloween and came in as a little Irish lady to tell them about the real origins of Halloween and read a story about overcoming fear.
The "Irish lady" was such a hit, she made a return visit in March with St Patrick's Day stories. Her visits extended to more classes and suddenly, without really trying, I had become a storyteller.
The "Irish lady" was such a hit, she made a return visit in March with St Patrick's Day stories. Her visits extended to more classes and suddenly, without really trying, I had become a storyteller.
Storytelling you can take home...my books
My first book, "Adventures of Seamus McSeamus, an Irish Rover" is available for sale--e-mail me at storyteller@dublin.com
I also have a booklet for sale--Wake Me When It's Over. I think you can guess what that one is about...
Latest Updates and where I'll be next
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Renaissance Park, Waynesville, OH
June 19, 2027
Lots of music and fun!
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Missed in '26 due to car accident, hope to be back in '27!
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Riverscape Metro Park, downtown Dayton, OH
July 30-Aug 1, 2027
Lots of music and fun for free;
Cultural only open Saturday and Sunday!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Dublin Irish Festival
Coffman Park, Dublin, Ohio
Aug 6-8, 2027
One of the top Irish festivals in the country!
Hosting the wake since 2001
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Riverfront Park, Peoria, IL
August 27-29, 2027
Always a great time!
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Heritage Landing, Muskegon, MI
September 17-19, 2027
The weather is seldom hot but the music is!
Come and join us for great sounds and terrific craic (that's fun in Irish)!