On Thursday 17 July 2025, writer E.R. Murray, and writer/broadcaster/stand-up comedian, Barbara Scully, visited Bantry Day Care Centre as part of the West Cork Literary Festival in partnership with Arts for Health West Cork.
The session was relaxed and welcoming, with both writers sharing samples of their work, personal stories, and anecdotes, with plenty of audience participation. Both writers talked with attendees about the power of sharing stories; how it helps to forge friendships, create connections between generations, and provide comfort as well as laughs. Barbara brought her unique voice to the event, reading a piece called ‘Home From Home’, about finding home in places that aren’t home, which was first broadcast on RTE One’s Sunday Miscellany in February 2022. She also read ‘A Wise Old Owl’ from her book, Wise Up, and shared some comedy about being so tall and not ever having clothes that fitted her growing up from her One Woman Show; Older Bolder Wiser. As one participant responded, ‘you have to laugh, don’t you? It’s powerful and makes all the rest easier to deal with.’
Elizabeth shared stories about living in West Cork, but also other places she’s called home in the past, and read a memoir piece, ‘Treasure Maps and Trowels: A West Cork Proposal’, from Come Sit A While Volume 2, a collection of dementia friendly stories and memories published by Cork County Libraries & Arts Service. This piece was submitted to the
anthology in response to Elizabeth’s visit to Bantry Day Care Centre during last year’s festival, and one of the attendees who remembered the visit said proudly, ‘I’m glad we encouraged you to do that. It deserved a home.’
Come Sit A While Volume 2 was launched at West Cork Literary Festival on 11 July 2025 and a copy was provided for attendees and staff. Afterwards, Barbara Scully said, ‘I was so delighted to be asked to be part of this event with Elizabeth Rose Murray. Spending time with older citizens is such a privilege. In Bantry Day Care Centre they shared some of their stories and their experiences and shed light on recent local history in a way that only older people can.’
In addition, Christine McCarthy, Bantry Day Care Centre Coordinator confirmed, ‘the feedback from the group was very positive and they thoroughly enjoyed the session.’
We look forward to continuing our Arts for Health partnership with West Cork Literary Festival.
Elizabeth Rose Murray writes novels, essays, short stories and poetry for children, young adults and adults. Her latest book, Arabella Pepper – The Wild Detective (Natural World Publishing) was longlisted for the 2025 Wainwright Prize for Children’s Fiction. Previous novels include the award-winning Nine Lives Trilogy (Mercier Press): The Book of Learning (Dublin UNESCO Citywide Read 2016), The Book of Shadows (shortlisted for Irish Literacy Association/Irish Book Awards), and The Book of Revenge. Elizabeth is also an experienced event facilitator, working with festivals, arts centres, schools, and libraries to foster a love of creativity and reading as well being part of a team of professional artists working in day centres and community hospitals with Arts for Health West Cork.
Barbara Scully is a well-known writer and broadcaster in Ireland. Her first book, Wise Up, Power, Wisdom and the Older Woman was published in summer 2022 and she has just finished her first novel. She is a familiar voice on radio and TV, contributing to talk shows on both local and national radio and has a weekly and very popular ‘agony aunt’ slot on the
Moncrieff Show on Newstalk. Barbara has recently dipped her toe into comedy and is currently touring her One Woman Show called, ‘Older Bolder Wiser’ which is described as a mix of stand-up comedy and storytelling.