McDonnell Brings The Irish Tradition Back
The Daily World in Aberdeen is the only daily newspaper on Washington’s Pacific Coast, and it ran a feature on ClanDonnell for Ocean Shores Irish Music Fest.
The article ran October 22, 2015, but is no longer on the web.
Here’s a reprint:
McDonnell Brings The Irish Tradition Back
by Kellie Ann Benz
The Daily World
If Ireland could be described by one attribute, it would have to be storytelling. No nation on the planet has made more raconteurs more often than Ireland. So it should delight most locals to know that one of Ireland’s best is coming here to the Harbor during 2015 Irish Music Festival that started this week.
Yes, David K. McDonnell returns to Ocean Shores for a number of shows, as well as a workshop specifically for those who wish to learn the skill of storytelling. Though Irish storytelling being what Irish storytelling is, you’ll need a little bit of the old sod in the roots of your family tree to really master the skill.
McDonnell is the author of ‘ClanDonnell: A Storied History of Ireland.’ McDonnell tells some original stories – most based on ancient Irish folklore – and each to do with his own Celtic Irish McDonnell clan. The history goes that the first McDonnells were mercenaries, which means they witnessed the best and the worst in early Irish settlers.
“These are fascinating and hilarious tales,” McDonnell said in a press release about his upcoming visit. “I wish I made these up, but these were first told by Irish story tellers two thousand years ago.”
McDonnell’s book, published last year, has won praise from some U.S. book awards, including; first place (Humanities) Reader Views 2014 Reviewers’ Choice Literary Awards, first place (History General) 2014 Beverly Hills Book Awards and finalist (Historical Non-Fiction) in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards from the Independent Book Publishing Professionals Group. The book’s popularity, and McDonnell’s command of the legendary Irish raconteur-isms has kept him touring since the book’s release.
Ocean Shores is McDonnell’s last stop in North America before he begins his Ireland tour in November.
McDonnell will be on the Tasting Room stage at Galway Bay in Ocean Shores tonight at 5 p.m., then performing in the Ocean Shores Convention Center’s Ballad room stage at 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at 5 p.m., back at Galway Bay’s Tasting Room on Sunday at 3 p.m. The Saturday storytelling workshop will be at the Ocean Shores Convention Center at 2 p.m.
If you miss his local shows, you can find out more about McDonnell’s book at www.clandonnell.net.
The 2015 Irish Music Festival started on Wednesday and runs until Sunday in both Ocean Shores and Hoquiam. For schedule and ticket information, go to www.galwaybayirishpub.com/irishmusicfestival or call 360-289-2300.”