Interview With Claire Barton

Claire Marie Barton is a poet, a singer/songwriter, author, and sound healer.
A clear voice, a joyful, spiritual, and gentle disposition.
She accompanies herself on the ukelele; an instrument she teaches online.

Although she was born and grew up in Cork City, she now lives near one of the most beautiful beaches in West Cork (Ireland), outside Clonakilty, with her family. Music runs in her veins.

Having trained as an ecologist, the sea has been very close to her since childhood. Nature does not just influence her poetry and songs but also the essence of the work she does as a sound healer. "Nature and creativity and sounding and singing – to me, it's all a package."

Poetry, music, sound healing are different aspects of her life. "To me, it's all a journey of expression. It has been a big step to be able to do that out loud in front of other people."

She does regular sound baths with groups of people but feels equally at home with the Clonakilty Writers' Group in the local library. "We're having these beautiful conversations. As everyday life is happening around us we're in this zone of sharing and pouring our hearts out. It's just amazing what can happen in a public place."

Life has led her to dark places at times. Her first son, Alan, died shortly after birth. "Letting Go, A Mother's Healing Journey", published in 2017, reflects how she eventually managed to transform her experience into something radiantly beautiful. The book is accompanied by a CD with recordings of her own songs and poems. "All creative work is spiritual in some ways. Layers were being peeled away. It was very cathartic after going through grief."
The book & CD are available from her website, clairemariebarton.com. Go to https://clairemariebarton.com/product...

Claire will be the special guest at DeBarra's Spoken Word on Wednesday 11 September, 2024. She'll sing, read poetry, and give the audience a "taster" of her sound healing, which she studied in the UK.

"It's an energy healing. The sounds are causing resonance in the body as it vibrates to different frequencies. It can bring your body back into alignment which may help to gently release stress and trauma."

Claire Barton - poetry, music, sound healing
Plus, Open Mic
DeBarra's Folk Club, 55 Pearse Street, Clonakilty, Ireland, 11 September at 8:30pm

Interviewer: Moze Jacobs
With thanks to the Cork County Council Arts Office and DeBarra's Folk Club (Ray Blackwell)