Family storytelling workshop to take place in Athlone Library

A family storytelling workshop hosted by Repair Acts Ireland will take place in Athlone Library today (Tuesday) from 3-4pm and 6.30-8pm.

The intergenerational workshop aims to foster vibrant and restorative repair cultures in Ireland by connecting past stories about mending and fixing things from the past. The storytelling events look at the histories, cultures and economies of repairing objects in Irish culture with a focus on Westmeath and in particular the towns of Athlone, Kilbeggan and Mullingar.

People are invited to bring along a repaired object or a photograph of a repaired object such as a repaired or broken piece of clothing, a jewellery box or family heirloom. All stories will be uploaded to their website on the day and contribute to building the 'People's Archive of Everyday Repair.'

During the workshop attendees will be asked to tell the story behind the object. How did it get broken, how was it fixed and why? They also want to hear peoples' tips for keeping something or the trouble they have gone to in order to get something fixed.

Repair Acts, Ireland is a 16-month project by the artist Teresa Dillon in collaboration with Dr. Alma Clavin, an academic and social scientist at UCD School of Geography and Westmeath County Council, to explore the concept of repair cultures.

The workshop is free but registration is required. You can register in advance at the library or online at repairacts.ie/events.