Narrative 4 marks ten years with music and storytelling at Belltable

Narrative 4, the award‑winning youth organisation based on O’Connell Street, will celebrate its ten‑year anniversary with an evening of music, literature and storytelling at the Belltable on Friday 13 November.

The event, titled “The Power of Stories: Celebrating 10 years of Narrative 4”, will showcase the group’s youth programmes that have reached thousands of young people across cultural divides. It will be directed by musician and theatre practitioner Ann Blake and MC‑d by Dr Jennifer McMahon, head of the Department of Psychology at the University of Limerick.

Authors Sarah Moore Fitzgerald and Kerry Neville will present creative pieces, while music and writing will be provided in collaboration with the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance and UL’s MA in Creative Writing. A live demonstration of Narrative 4’s signature Story Exchange methodology will be led by Limeric​h youth, illustrating how sharing personal stories builds understanding.

Founded in 2016 at 58 O’Connell Street, the organisation has grown into a leader in creative community projects, working with schools, youth groups and international partners. It recently secured €250,000 from Creative Ireland for cross‑border work with young people from Belfast and Limerick, and has previously been funded by Limerick City and County Council, the JP McManus Benevolent Fund, the LEDP Impact Fund and Rethink Ireland.

More than 100,000 Irish students have taken part in Narrative 4 programmes, and 1,400 teachers from 330 secondary schools have completed Story Exchange facilitator training. Tickets are on sale now; the show runs from 8 pm to 9.15 pm, with pre‑show music in the foyer from 7.30 pm.

Source: Limerick Post. Photo: Ann Hannes / Pexels.