© Kathleen O'Sullivan and Billy Teare 2010
Reviews:
Sessions tailored for any age, ability, or service area:
Roscommon People - Newspaper. (Feb 2011)
(Report on South Roscommon Singers Fest).
". . . the most successful children's session to date when Billy Teare and Kathleen
O'Sullivan enthralled a room full of small children and some 'big children' too. . . . the
presentation of the Annie McNulty Award was the centrepiece of the festival programme,
and as in previous years, it was a super concert . . .Billy and Kathleen had the audience
literally 'in knots' with their comic slot, it just had to be seen to be appreciated."
David Bertram, Town Clerk, Cockermouth, February 2008
"Billy is popular with all age groups from pre school play groups through to Senior
Citizens and has a wide range of material which he adapts according to circumstances.
Never Fear when Teare's here!! A first class entertainer "
Billy Teare - Storyteller Extraordinaire!
Nigel Cox : Head of the English Department. Junior Kings School. Canterbury
"The reaction was so positive from the children. Lots of them were saying things like "Billy
was brilliant. When can he come again?" and our Head of Science told me that it was the
best Thursday afternoon she'd had for years
The older classes were also shown the power of stories as a tool for accelerated learning
as Billy learnt thirty figure numbers with phenomenal speed and accuracy, repeating them
flawlessly after just seconds of learning time.
Billy’s Ulster accent and throwaway humour added great character to the tales as did his
range of facial expressions and voices from handsome princes and sad princesses down
to cross-eyed hen wives and irascible magicians.
The day was planned as to illustrate the richness of the oral tradition and as a change
from the English Department’s usual programme of visits by writers and poets. Above all,
though, it was meant to be fun – an aim that everyone agreed was triumphantly realised."
Janet Atherton (Culture Team Librarian SEELB): Lisburn Tale Tellers
.'...Billy Teare and Kathleen O’Sullivan thoroughly entertained a Lisburn Tale Tellers
audience at the New Year gig in Lisburn City Library. . .We were treated to stories,
traditional Irish song, a beautiful and charming rendition of Yeats’ Stolen Child, with Billy
reciting and Kathleen singing, music of the jaw harp and harmonica, juggling, a hilarious
take on Hamlet, and an interesting and amusing geography lesson. As one audience
member commented . . . There was a little bit of everything there”.
The Tenants
" the storyteller was mighty altogether"
"When is she coming back ?"
"She was brilliant and we would like her to come back again"
"She was great at singing and storytelling"
Jayne O’Neill - Visitor Management Officer - Northern Ireland Tourist Board.
“It was a real treat to incorporate a story telling session led by Billy and Kathleen at a
recent series of workshops for Tourist Information Staff. Billy’s relaxed, humorous and
captivating style combined with Kathleen’s dulcet tones made for an entertaining and
informative session.”
Hammersmith Irish Cultural Centre - Storytelling Festival.
“They weave an enchanting tapestry of narration and sung chorus . Engaging and
inspiring for all ages.”
Vic Smith. Royal Oak Folk Club
Many thanks to Billy Teare and Kathleen O'Sullivan for last night's magical combination of
songs and stories.....
Angela Kearins - Volunteer Co-ordinator - Irish in Greenwich
Everybody thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful entertainment you both provided . We liked
it so much we would like to book you for our Christmas Event
Brian Kells, Director, Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival
"His affable personality, style and professionalism captivated the hearts of all whom he
met, from 3 to 83"
Bernie Cairns, Information Assistant, Enniskillen Castle Museums
"Billy has entertained for us over the last few years. His storytelling method is relaxed
and captivating. Our events attract all ages and Billy can certainly perform to all
audiences. It is a pleasure to work with Billy and very easy to see that he enjoys what he
does".
Doagh Primary School
We had a wonderful morning with you both. The children really enjoyed it and haven't
stopped talking about it. It was wonderful to see the children so engrossed and attentive
to you. They have already told us that we have to get you back next year!!
(Report on South Roscommon Singers Fest).
". . . the most successful children's session to date when Billy Teare and Kathleen
O'Sullivan enthralled a room full of small children and some 'big children' too. . . . the
presentation of the Annie McNulty Award was the centrepiece of the festival programme,
and as in previous years, it was a super concert . . .Billy and Kathleen had the audience
literally 'in knots' with their comic slot, it just had to be seen to be appreciated."
David Bertram, Town Clerk, Cockermouth, February 2008
"Billy is popular with all age groups from pre school play groups through to Senior
Citizens and has a wide range of material which he adapts according to circumstances.
Never Fear when Teare's here!! A first class entertainer "
Billy Teare - Storyteller Extraordinaire!
Nigel Cox : Head of the English Department. Junior Kings School. Canterbury
"The reaction was so positive from the children. Lots of them were saying things like "Billy
was brilliant. When can he come again?" and our Head of Science told me that it was the
best Thursday afternoon she'd had for years
The older classes were also shown the power of stories as a tool for accelerated learning
as Billy learnt thirty figure numbers with phenomenal speed and accuracy, repeating them
flawlessly after just seconds of learning time.
Billy’s Ulster accent and throwaway humour added great character to the tales as did his
range of facial expressions and voices from handsome princes and sad princesses down
to cross-eyed hen wives and irascible magicians.
The day was planned as to illustrate the richness of the oral tradition and as a change
from the English Department’s usual programme of visits by writers and poets. Above all,
though, it was meant to be fun – an aim that everyone agreed was triumphantly realised."
Janet Atherton (Culture Team Librarian SEELB): Lisburn Tale Tellers
.'...Billy Teare and Kathleen O’Sullivan thoroughly entertained a Lisburn Tale Tellers
audience at the New Year gig in Lisburn City Library. . .We were treated to stories,
traditional Irish song, a beautiful and charming rendition of Yeats’ Stolen Child, with Billy
reciting and Kathleen singing, music of the jaw harp and harmonica, juggling, a hilarious
take on Hamlet, and an interesting and amusing geography lesson. As one audience
member commented . . . There was a little bit of everything there”.
The Tenants
" the storyteller was mighty altogether"
"When is she coming back ?"
"She was brilliant and we would like her to come back again"
"She was great at singing and storytelling"
Jayne O’Neill - Visitor Management Officer - Northern Ireland Tourist Board.
“It was a real treat to incorporate a story telling session led by Billy and Kathleen at a
recent series of workshops for Tourist Information Staff. Billy’s relaxed, humorous and
captivating style combined with Kathleen’s dulcet tones made for an entertaining and
informative session.”
Hammersmith Irish Cultural Centre - Storytelling Festival.
“They weave an enchanting tapestry of narration and sung chorus . Engaging and
inspiring for all ages.”
Vic Smith. Royal Oak Folk Club
Many thanks to Billy Teare and Kathleen O'Sullivan for last night's magical combination of
songs and stories.....
Angela Kearins - Volunteer Co-ordinator - Irish in Greenwich
Everybody thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful entertainment you both provided . We liked
it so much we would like to book you for our Christmas Event
Brian Kells, Director, Whittlesea Straw Bear Festival
"His affable personality, style and professionalism captivated the hearts of all whom he
met, from 3 to 83"
Bernie Cairns, Information Assistant, Enniskillen Castle Museums
"Billy has entertained for us over the last few years. His storytelling method is relaxed
and captivating. Our events attract all ages and Billy can certainly perform to all
audiences. It is a pleasure to work with Billy and very easy to see that he enjoys what he
does".
Doagh Primary School
We had a wonderful morning with you both. The children really enjoyed it and haven't
stopped talking about it. It was wonderful to see the children so engrossed and attentive
to you. They have already told us that we have to get you back next year!!
Billy Teare performing at the storytelling festival, Hammersmith
Irish Cultural Centre, in October 2008.
More clips from the festival on the About Kathleen page.
The songster and the storytellin' man
