Irish Storyteller Colin Urwin Brings Ulster Wit to Katikati's 150th

Irish folk singer and storyteller Colin Urwin is visiting Katikati this weekend for the town's 150th-anniversary celebrations — his very first trip to Aotearoa New Zealand. Urwin, who is internationally recognised as a modern-day seanchaí (traditional Irish oral storyteller), admits that until a few months ago he had never even heard of Katikati, but says researching its story gave him a genuine sense of connection and pride.

"Some of those early settlers came from just a handful of miles from where I live," Urwin told Katikati News from Northern Ireland. "In a strange way, it feels like I'm following in their footsteps." He joked that when dreading his 40-hour journey by train, plane and car, he tries to remind himself of the gruelling 13-week sea voyage those hardy settlers endured 150 years ago.

Urwin opened the sold-out Katikati Folk Club's festival of Irish Music and Song on Friday evening, and his main free performance is at the Katikati War Memorial Hall on Saturday 12 September from 2.30pm to 4pm. He will also perform at the Settlers' Dance on Saturday night and at the Athenree Homestead Fair on Sunday 14 September. Audiences can expect a lively mix of stories, songs, recitations and plenty of Ulster wit — no two performances are ever the same.

Originally published in Katikati News (Sun Media).