My Journey

After finding my spirit, which got lost in the many roles I played in my life, I came away from a weekend drumming workshop eighteen years ago  knowing what I wanted to do for the rest of my life  and that was to bring drum circles into as many people’s lives as I possibly could. I will be eternally grateful to my dearest friend DAVE (Daithí) because as soon as I shared with him my intention’s he kindly offered me 22 djembes and a set of dunz to give me the tools to get going. Overcome with gratitude and excitement I phoned my sister who worked for KARE (adults with special needs) and asked if her server users and staff would be interested in a drum circle. After one introductory session we quickly had to look for a bigger venue as I had bus loads coming from the various KARE centre’s in Kildare and Offaly. Everyone loved our early sessions as we had fun and it was a unique workshop space where all staff and server users could come and participate together, even the bus drivers joined in.

As my confidence and experience grew, I started to facilitate in local schools and was running around the county with a car full of drums, juggling around my 3 young children and their needs and school. times. Then one day the stars aligned and I got chatting to my dear friend Sr Consillo “ What are you at these days?” when I told her I was working with adults with special needs and with young children in schools, she smiled one of her knowing nodding smiles as if she was half expecting me to say this. She proceeded to ask me to show her what I do, she said to follow her over to Our Ladys Unit (the unit which helps those in recovery from drug addiction- 6 month program) and to bring what drums I had. I asked how many young men would be in the unit and she said 26; I said sister I have only 4 drums with me. She smiled again and just said “sure isn’t that grand, you can show me what you can do with 4 drums”. So nervously I introduced myself to the 26 lads and asked for 4 volunteers to drum. I taught them 2 simple poly rhythms are we were away on our drumming journey. The rest of us sang a call and response chant while the drummers drummed. I was in my element. Sister hugged me and thanked me and 2 weeks later rang to inform me that she had bought the lads in the unit 26 drums and that she wanted me in once a fortnight to facilitate workshops and to be part of their recovery. I actually still get so emotional telling this story because she believed in me and trusted what I was about and 15 years later I am still facilitating drumming and sound healing workshops in Cuan Mhuire.