Born in Ballycarry, storyteller Billy Teare, now resides in Larne, Co Antrim, Northern Ireland. 
Billy has appeared on the big screen, stage, TV and radio in guises ranging from chicken hypnotist to jester.
From his teens he had a part time career on the tough Belfast comedy circuit. He continued in a semi professional capacity, during 16yrs working as a law
clerk for the Crown Solicitors Dept. Northern Ireland Office.
In the past thirty years, Billy's popularity have seen him as a featured artist at ALL the major folk and storytelling festivals around the world. (Including the
far reaches of the Yukon).
He tells stories in hundreds of early years settings, schools, libraries, community groups, heritage sites, council and cultural venues and is passionate
about his treatment of narrative as an accelerated learning tool. He is working on a book of his techniques.
Billy has worked with all the notable names in storytelling including: Packie Manus Byrne, Eddie Lenihan, Taffy Thomas, (and sadly missed) John Campbell
and Stanley Robertson. Among his associates on the Irish music scene are the Sands family and Len Graham.
Before working with traditional singer, Kathleen O'Sullivan, Billy collaborated with other artists and groups, such as BBC Northern Ireland and the Verbal
Arts Centre, Derry.
Among his recent appearances: Storyteller in Residence, International Storytelling Centre, Tennessee, 2008,
BBC Folk Proms event 2008,
Third return performance at the Yukon International Storytelling Festival (2000, 2001, 2006),
Beyond the Border: The Wales International Storytelling Festival (2005),
The Toronto International Storytelling Festival,
Sidmouth Folk Festival (2009, 2003, 2001, 1999)
Publications include:
Verbal Arts Centre Material:
Listen Up:
volumes 1 and 2, (video resource)
Everlasting Voices:
Word in Action project:
Books:
(He is cited and featured in)
Prof Michael Wilson (2005) Storytelling and Theatre:
Contemporary storytellers and their Art. Palgrave MacMillan:
David Holt and Bill Mooney Eds. (1994) More Ready to tell Tales, August House:
(An award winning compilation)
See also CD's page.
Billy has appeared on the big screen, stage, TV and radio in guises ranging from chicken hypnotist to jester.
From his teens he had a part time career on the tough Belfast comedy circuit. He continued in a semi professional capacity, during 16yrs working as a law
clerk for the Crown Solicitors Dept. Northern Ireland Office.
In the past thirty years, Billy's popularity have seen him as a featured artist at ALL the major folk and storytelling festivals around the world. (Including the
far reaches of the Yukon).
He tells stories in hundreds of early years settings, schools, libraries, community groups, heritage sites, council and cultural venues and is passionate
about his treatment of narrative as an accelerated learning tool. He is working on a book of his techniques.
Billy has worked with all the notable names in storytelling including: Packie Manus Byrne, Eddie Lenihan, Taffy Thomas, (and sadly missed) John Campbell
and Stanley Robertson. Among his associates on the Irish music scene are the Sands family and Len Graham.
Before working with traditional singer, Kathleen O'Sullivan, Billy collaborated with other artists and groups, such as BBC Northern Ireland and the Verbal
Arts Centre, Derry.
Among his recent appearances: Storyteller in Residence, International Storytelling Centre, Tennessee, 2008,
BBC Folk Proms event 2008,
Third return performance at the Yukon International Storytelling Festival (2000, 2001, 2006),
Beyond the Border: The Wales International Storytelling Festival (2005),
The Toronto International Storytelling Festival,
Sidmouth Folk Festival (2009, 2003, 2001, 1999)
Publications include:
Verbal Arts Centre Material:
Listen Up:
volumes 1 and 2, (video resource)
Everlasting Voices:
Word in Action project:
Books:
(He is cited and featured in)
Prof Michael Wilson (2005) Storytelling and Theatre:
Contemporary storytellers and their Art. Palgrave MacMillan:
David Holt and Bill Mooney Eds. (1994) More Ready to tell Tales, August House:
(An award winning compilation)
See also CD's page.
About: Billy Teare
Click button above to stop or play the video.
September 23rd to 27th 2008 Billy was 'Teller in
Residence' in the International Storytelling Center,
Jonesborough, Tennessee, USA.
“I’m as delighted with stories as a kid with a puddle on a rainy day.
It’s all verbal puddle leaping, that’s what it is.” - BILLY TEARE
© Kathleen O'Sullivan and Billy Teare 2010
The songster and the storytellin' man
