Inspired by the rich history of the Irish in Rye and Westchester, the Rye Storytellers Guild revived its annual Irish Tea and Tales on March 7 at the Rye Library.
A large crowd gathered to hear seven members of the Storytellers Guild tell tales that ranged from the whimsical to historical. Guests were welcomed with a table laden with Irish tea, soda breads, and cheese — and a pot of gold.
The audience was treated to several traditional tales of people besting leprechauns and fairies and one in which a teacher outwitted a giant. Another told of travelers bringing music to small towns across Ireland and refusing to be slowed by age. One story was created using AI.
Irish history was the source of a story about the exploits of the real-life Pirate Queen of Ireland, who earned and lost fortunes by land and sea during the reign of Elizabeth I. The event concluded with a whimsical tale about a drinker being crafty enough to get free libation at an Irish Pub.
It was the second of three events the Rye Storyteller Guild holds each year. The third is scheduled for June 7 and features the skit, “Who’s on First?” and other stories for summer.
