Myths & Legends – An Intergenerational Publication

Description

This child-led project focused on preserving the myths and legends of Broadford, ensuring that the rich oral traditions of the community were recorded and shared with future generations. The initiative engaged school children in historical research, storytelling, creative writing, and illustration, culminating in the publication of a book that captured the folklore of the area.
Project Overview
The first stage involved collecting stories from older generations in Broadford, listening to their accounts, and searching written records for additional narratives. To deepen historical understanding, participants examined Ordnance Survey maps to identify placenames with folklore origins. These locations often held fascinating stories, providing insight into the past.
With historical findings in hand, the children took part in a series of workshops led by professionals who guided them through the process of interpreting and retelling these stories. Local historian Pat O’Brien conducted sessions on historical research, teaching participants how to analyse evidence, infer meaning, and critically question sources. OPC Member Madge O’Callaghan facilitated ten creative writing workshops, in which children rewrote and adapted stories for an audience of National School students. To visually enhance the project, illustrator Rachael Macmanus led two sessions on using shape, line, and colour effectively in artwork.
Final Production & Launch
Once the stories were rewritten and illustrated, the book was printed with an initial run of 200 copies, ensuring widespread accessibility. The project culminated in a community book launch, celebrating the collective effort of students, teachers, parents, and professionals. This event showcased the children’s work and honoured the folklore of Broadford.
Success Criteria
The project aimed to:
– Accurately collect the most significant local stories
– Unearth previously unknown tales
– Publish a high-quality book
– Host a successful book launch in the Broadford Community Hall
Status & Future Impact
The project was successfully completed, sparking interest from other schools keen to undertake similar folklore preservation initiatives. Future discussions include the possibility of launching an ‘Age-Friendly’ storytelling project that benefits older citizens, further reinforcing the connection between generations.
Through this initiative, Broadford’s myths and legends were safeguarded, leaving a lasting legacy that celebrates local history while nurturing children’s creativity and historical awareness.

Aim of Initiative

The main aim of this initiative was to place the children of Broadford National School at the center of preserving and sharing their community’s folklore while fostering meaningful intergenerational connections. By directly engaging with older residents, the children became the bridge between past and present, ensuring that the town’s myths and legends were not only recorded but kept alive through collaborative storytelling and shared learning.
At the heart of this project was the exchange between young and old—grandparents, local historians, and longtime residents shared their stories, enriching the children’s understanding of Broadford’s cultural history. These conversations went beyond storytelling; they strengthened relationships, deepened respect for oral traditions, and allowed elders to see their cherished narratives embraced by a new generation.
Through historical research, creative writing, and illustration, the children transformed spoken tales into a published book, ensuring accessibility for future generations. Their work empowered them as custodians of local heritage while celebrating the wisdom and knowledge of Broadford’s older citizens. The final book launch was not just a celebration of the children’s achievements but also a recognition of the deep-rooted connections between generations, reinforcing the importance of shared stories in maintaining a community’s identity.
This initiative demonstrated that folklore preservation is not just about safeguarding history—it is about bringing generations together to collaborate, learn, and strengthen a collective legacy that will endure for years to come.

Who is it aimed at

The initiative was primarily aimed at the children of Broadford National School, empowering them as the key storytellers and custodians of their community’s folklore. Through engaging in historical research, storytelling, creative writing, and illustration, they played a leading role in preserving local myths and legends while developing critical thinking and creative skills.
At the same time, the project fostered strong intergenerational connections by actively involving older residents—grandparents, local historians, and longtime community members—who shared their knowledge, stories, and lived experiences with the children. This exchange ensured that folklore was passed down in an authentic and meaningful way while reinforcing relationships between generations.
Additionally, the initiative benefited the broader Broadford community, including parents, teachers, and local artists, all of whom played a supporting role in guiding and celebrating the children’s efforts. The final publication and book launch ensured accessibility for future generations, encouraging other schools and communities to undertake similar heritage preservation projects.

3 Steps critical to success

1. Intergenerational Story Collection – The children actively engaged with older residents, listening to their stories and exploring historical records to uncover forgotten tales. This exchange ensured authenticity while fostering meaningful connections between generations.
2. Creative Interpretation & Collaboration – With guidance from local experts, the children developed skills in historical research, creative writing, and illustration. Workshops led by professionals helped them critically analyze folklore, rewrite stories for younger audiences, and bring them to life visually.
3. ‘- Publication & Community Celebration – The culmination of the project was the publication of a book, ensuring the preservation and accessibility of Broadford’s folklore. The book launch served as a moment of pride for both the children and the wider community, reinforcing the importance of shared storytelling traditions.
   Each step strengthened the children’s role as custodians of local heritage while deepening their connection with Broadford’s past.’

3 Challenges in Planning / Delivery

1. Ensuring Effective Intergenerational Engagement – Encouraging older residents to participate in storytelling required building trust and creating comfortable spaces for interaction. Both the children and the storytellers dedicated significant personal time to these exchanges, with children developing strong listening and interviewing skills to capture authentic narratives while older participants generously shared their experiences and knowledge, ensuring meaningful connections were formed.
2. Balancing Creativity with Historical Accuracy – While children reimagined stories in engaging ways, maintaining the integrity of historical folklore was essential. This required careful guidance from historians and educators to ensure that the adaptations respected the essence of the original tales.
3. Coordinating a Complex, Multi-Stage Project – From research and workshops to book production and the final launch, organizing the initiative required collaboration between children, educators, historians, artists, and the broader community. Managing logistics, timelines, and resources was a challenge, but the collective effort ensured success.
   Each of these hurdles provided valuable learning experiences, strengthening both the children’s skills and their connection to Broadford’s heritage.

3 Outcomes / Benefits

1. Preservation of Folklore – The children successfully recorded and reimagined Broadford’s myths and legends, ensuring these oral traditions were safeguarded for future generations. Their published book serves as a lasting archive of local heritage.
2. Stronger Intergenerational Bonds – By engaging directly with older residents, the project fostered meaningful connections between young and old. This exchange enriched the children’s understanding of their community while giving elders the joy of passing down their stories.
3. Inspiration for Future Projects – The success of this child-led initiative sparked interest from other schools and communities eager to undertake similar folklore preservation efforts. Discussions about expanding storytelling programs, including ‘Age-Friendly’ initiatives, continue to build on this momentum.
   Each of these outcomes strengthened the children’s role as custodians of Broadford’s cultural legacy while reinforcing the value of shared storytelling.