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< Back Gerry Burke Adults Availability: Full time and is prepared to travel. Repertoire: Folk tales, own stories/material, poetry, mixed with songs. Preferred audience: Adult. Background experience: Gerry has performed his own one-man show for the past 8 years and can tailor it to most occasions/venues. He has performed in Australia, New Zealand, South Pacific Islands and the US – in folk clubs, pubs, theatres and at Irish festivals. In Ireland he has performed in many different venues and also does corporate entertainment. skerrygerry@yahoo.com http://www.coastwalkstoriescork.com (+353) 087 980 1086

< Back Dr. Senem Donatan Mohan Adults, Children, Festivals Availability: Full time resident on the Island of Ireland, available all year round and i s prepared to travel nationally and internationally. Repertoire: Senem is a myth tracker, passionate about tracing myths back to their origins in indigenous cultures. She shares personal stories interwoven with creation myths and wisdom tales, primarily from Middle Eastern folklore, reflecting the region where she grew up and her ancestors lived. For children, Senem tells stories from around the world that cultivate their curiosity about natural phenomena. She encourages children to ask creative questions and imagine possibilities beyond definitive answers. Background experience: Senem is a storyteller, story practitioner, and author originally from Turkey, now living in Dublin. She blends creative arts with science, focusing on cultural and individual vitality. Over the past two decades, Senem has touched the lives of thousands of children and adults through her performances and books. Senem has also trained a diverse range of people, including teachers, scientists, academics, performing artists, social workers, public speakers, sales professionals, engineers, CEOs, HR professionals, accountants, refugees, recovering addicts, neurodivergent individuals, and homeless people to develop their storytelling skills across Asia and Europe. In her performances and workshops, Senem engages her audience in an expressive and fun way, emphasizing interactivity and spontaneity. Contacts: IG / In: @senemdonatanmohan info@senemdonatanmohan.com http://www.senemdonatanmohan.com (+353) 083 133 3789

< Back Barry Feely Adults Availability: Part time and is prepared to travel locally and nationally. Repertoire: Folk tales and original material based on local characters. Preferred audience: Adults Background experience: Barry has performed at the Boyle Arts Festival, Mohill Storytelling Festival, Portnoo Donegal Festival and San Francisco Folk Concert. (+353) 071 96 62220 (+353) 086 258 4822

< Back Pat Ryan Adults, Children, Festivals, Special Needs Availability: Full time and is prepared to travel nationally and internationally. Repertoire: The stories I tell are mostly traditional folk and fairy tales, and ghost stories and riddles, which come via many cultural traditions, but mostly from Ireland, Britain, America, and Italy. My repertoire has been gathered from my extended family and traditional storytellers I’ve had the privilege to know—people from all walks of life—as well as from fieldwork, and extensive research in manuscripts and story collections from earlier centuries. As a result, I have stories for all interests and age groups, and for many kinds of events and venues. Background experience: I have worked as a storyteller, writer and teacher for over forty years. My practice has developed through interactions with family and friends in America where I grew up, and friends and colleagues in Ireland and Britain where I have lived, and collected stories and studied storytelling, since the late 1970s. As a former primary school teacher and academic with an interest in folklore, cognitive development and children’s literature, much of my work has been in schools, libraries, museums, and arts centres, where I led a number of residencies (projects to raise literacy, support oracy, explore children’s literature, or develop creative writing). I’ve also initiated some unique programmes such as storytelling in 18 professional football clubs in England and Wales, and participating in all the Lion’s Part calendar festivals at the Globe and Bankside. I have often performed at storytelling, folk and book festivals in Britain, Ireland and America. So far my work has been in 28 countries around the world. Media work includes appearances on NPR, BBC and RTE radio, research consultancy for Tellytubbies, and featuring in the BBC 2 documentary Kick into Reading . Publications include several articles, reviews and reports, and books like Shakespeare’s Storybook and, with Donna Schatt, Story Listening and Experience in Early Childhood. My approach to sharing stories has been much influenced by the contemporary storytelling studies and practices of individuals such as Gianni Rodari, Gianni Celati, Dáithí Ó hOgáin, Jack Zipes, Ellin Greene, Zena Sutherland, Grace Hallworth, Shahrukh Husain, Doc Rowe, and Liz Weir. All this means that I have material and experience to suit any age group, occasion, or audience. While drawing on traditional stories and storytelling methods, the nature of my storytelling is conversational, informal, thoughtful, educational and, I hope, always a joy. PRyan1984@gmail.com http://www.patryanstoryteller.co.uk (+44) 0208 558 0915 (+44) 07752 899910

< Back Pat Speight Adults, Children, Festivals, Special Needs Availability: Full time and is prepared to travel. Repertoire: Folk tales, myths, legends, verse, recitations and original material. Preferred audience: Two to toothless. Background experience: Pat has told stories from Cork to Tennessee, Belfast to Montreal, North of England to Sardinia and many places in between. He has told stories to groups of two to 1200. Please visit his webpage. pat@patspeight.com http://www.patspeight.com (+353) 087 867 9943

< Back Namaya the Jazz Poet/ Storyteller Adults, Festivals, Children Availability: I am in and out of Ireland. Available for festivals, and shows. Prefer to spend more time in Ireland & Europe in early summer to fall depending on work and performances Repertoire: Namaya Jazz Poet/ Storyteller – Performed on 5 continents of improvisation and stories with the theme of “Celebrate Life: Viva La Vida,” to inspire laughter, wonder, and celebrate this journey of life. Drawn from travels in over 100 countries, with guitar, stories, and songs. The Aquarian said, “High wire poet of the spoken word.” Australian Center of Arts “Wonderful engaging stories Magnet Theater in NY “Namaya held the audience spell-bound Preferred Audience: Adults, Festivals, Children Background Experience: Namaya is an Irish and US citizen and internationally renowned Jazz performance poet, storyteller, humorist, and sublime improvisational artist. He has performed throughout the US, Europe, New Zealand, Japan, Asia, the Americas, and Palmyra, Syria. He is a member of Storytellers of Ireland. His performances in NYC have included the famed Bowery Poetry Club, the Nuyorican Café, St. Marks, and 5 C Café. Namaya has shared the stage with many jazz luminaries like Sheila Jordan, who appeared in his production of the Beatnik Café. Samples Namaya Performance Both as a solo artist, with his band, the Jazz Beat Blues Poetry Ensemble, and with jazz musicians worldwide, Namaya performs an astonishing blend of jazz word, story, and improvisation. As an accomplished classical, and blues guitarist he combines music with stories Namaya is an irreverent performance artist with a trademark style of political satire and humor that addresses themes as diverse as America Uber Alles, and the jazz noir detective story of Benny O’Shea “Namaya held the audience in his hand as he fearlessly created a show of improvisation. It was like watching a magician on stage, but this time with words that would appear and disappear, seamlessly bringing in the audience.” ~Magnet Theater in NYC, “Loved the show. It was a freewheeling journey of love and play that delighted the audience.” The Australian Center for Performing Arts booking@thejazzpoet.com http://www.thejazzpoet.com

< Back Doreen McBride Children, Adults Availability Full time, prepared to travel 30 mile radius around Banbridge Repertoire I love traditional Irish stories because they have been honed over the centuries and would not have survived if they had not been good stories. They can be trusted never to do harm. I particularly love old humorous stories. Background experience: I was Arts Council recognised and shared my stories throughout America, Canada and New Zealand as well as throughout Ireland and the Brittsh Mainland. I was awarded a silver medal by the University of South Carolina, Summer Campus, for my services as Storyteller in Residence and have had many radio and television appearances including the North’s now defunct Kelly and The Late Late Show when it was presented by Gay Byrne. I resigned from the Arts Council in 2000 as I wanted to record Irish Folk tales as they are in danger of disappearing. My work has been published by the History Press. I am happy to go storytelling occassionally and love teenage audiences. doreenannemcbride@gmail.com (+44) 028 406 23782

< Back Colin Durling Adults, Children, Special Needs Availability: Full time and is prepared to travel. Repertoire: Folk tales, legends, the supernatural, tales of the weird and wonderful, the wise and foolish. Preferred audience: Secondary school children, adults and persons with special needs. Background experiences: Colin has told at folk clubs and festivals, storytelling groups, community associations, therapeutic groups and religious bodies. (+44) 028 90 664691 (+44) 07712 633272

< Back Balor Otherworld Adults, Festivals, Children, Special Needs Availability: Full time resident on the Island of Ireland, available all year round Background: Balor has lived in Ireland his whole life, growing up immersed in the storytelling tradition of past generations. BA in English and History from NUIG and a postgraduate in Business Management. With a background in tourism and customer service, Balor focuses on what will make the experience unique and engaging for the audience. Working across Ireland in schools, visitor centres, hotels and festivals. Creator of the BalorVerse, films based on Irish history and folklore. Available online and for screening at events / festivals. balorobrien@gmail.com https://www.patreon.com/balorotherworld (+353) 087 665 6198

Storytellers of Ireland are decidated to the support of the artform of storytelling. Visit us for a list of storytelling events right across the island and a directory of professional storytellers. About Storytellers of Ireland IRELAND IS FAMED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD FOR THE ART OF STORYTELLING. THE SEANCAITHE AND SCÉALAÍ, THE TRADITION BEARERS AND STORYTELLERS, PASSED THE OLD STORIES DOWN THROUGH THE GENERATIONS. TODAY, IN THE 21ST CENTURY, THERE HAS BEEN A REVIVAL OF THE ANCIENT ART. FOUNDED IN 2003, STORYTELLERS OF IRELAND / AOS SCÉAL ÉIREANN IS AN ALL-IRELAND VOLUNTARY ORGANISATION WITH CHARITABLE STATUS. BECOME A MEMBER Join Storytellers of Ireland JOIN AS A MEMBER Our Aim Our aim is to promote the practice, study and knowledge of oral storytelling in Ireland through the preservation and perpetuation of traditional storytelling and the development of storytelling as a contemporary art. We aim to foster storytelling skills among all age groups, from all cultural backgrounds. We also aim to explore new contexts for storytelling in public places – in schools, community centres and libraries, in care centres and prisons, in theatres, arts centres and at festivals throughout the entire island of Ireland. Storytelling Events The Art Storytelling is an intimate and interactive art. A storyteller tells from memory rather than reading from a book. A tale is not just the spoken equivalent of a literary short story. It has no set text, but is endlessly re-created in the telling. The listener is an essential part of the storytelling process. For stories to live, they need the hearts, minds and ears of listeners. Without the listener there is no story. Storytellers Directory Find Me a Storyteller Search The Storyteller Directory Bordertalk The Bordertalk programme was designed to develop a community and network of storytellers with the capacity to deliver cross-border, cross- community storytelling events and training programmes to promote the oral tradition of storytelling Find out more... Let's Get Social Le fiche bliain anuas, tá borradh agus fás tagaithe ar shean-ghairm inste scéal. Tá clú agus cáil ar na scéalta ársa agus ar an seanchas atá le fáil i nÉirinn. Le déanaí tá siad arís i mbéal an phobail, idir óg is sean, is i ngach áird is aicme. This website was produced by Storytellers of Ireland/Aos Scéal Éireann with generous support of the Arts Council of Ireland/Comhairle Ealaíon. SOI was established in 2003 to promote and foster the oral tradition of storytelling throughout Ireland.

Storytellers of Ireland is an all-island organisation dedicated to the support and promotion of storytelling. Our events page details festivals, regular storytelling sessions and once off storytelling events across the island. Storytelling Events If you have any event details or updates that you would like included please let us know by contacting Simone Schuemmelfeder. While we try to keep this page as up to date as possible we recommend you follow Storytellers of Ireland on Facebook also. Storytelling Festivals 5th to 7th September 2025 Cape Clear International Storytelling Festival / visit capeclearstorytelling.com for details Learn more 5th to 7th September 2025 visit capeclearstorytelling.com for details We are delighted to announce that this year's Cape Clear International Storytelling Festival will take place from 5th to the 7th September 2025. Storytelling Groups Second Monday of the Month Storytelling Circle Kilkenny / Please visit Facebook link Learn more Second Monday of the Month Please visit Facebook link Storytelling Circle Kilkenny meet once a month in the Billy Byrne pub, Kilkenny.
 All welcome. Monthly meet up The Gab Storytelling / Please visit Facebook link Learn more Monthly meet up Please visit Facebook link Cork based Storytelling community. Our staple is The Gab Mixtape, a monthly storytelling night. We look forward to welcoming you! Follow us on Facebook for more information on upcoming events. Third Wednesday of the month DLR LexIcon Yarnspinners / More info via link in description Learn more Third Wednesday of the month More info via link in description LexIcon, Dun Laoghaire, Co. Dublin Third Wednesdays of the month from February 2023 - June 2023 First wednesday of the month YARN Storytelling Circle / www.mermaidartscentre.ie for details Learn more First wednesday of the month www.mermaidartscentre.ie for details Mermaid Arts Centre, Bray, Co. Wicklow First Thursdays of the month. Cork Yarnspinners / See link to Facebook page Learn more First Thursdays of the month. See link to Facebook page We are Cork Yarnspinners, Cork's very own storytelling community. Join us live on first Thursdays of the month. 1st Friday of every month Tacumshane Storytelling / Olde School house, Tacumshane Learn more 1st Friday of every month Olde School house, Tacumshane Storytelling takes place on the 1st Friday of every month in the Olde School house, Tacumshane. Please contact fmccarron@hotmail.com Drumlin Yarnspinners / Please contact fmccarron@hotmail.com Learn more Please contact fmccarron@hotmail.com Please contact fmccarron@hotmail.com The Drumlin Yarnspinners meet ont he last Tuesday of the month in the Market House, Monaghan Town from 8pm to 10pm. Hosted by Francis McCarron. Please Visit www.armstory.org.uk Armstong Storytelling Trust - Tullycarnet, Lisburn & Bangor Carnegie Yarnspinners / Please Visit www.armstory.org.uk Learn more Please Visit www.armstory.org.uk Please Visit www.armstory.org.uk Libraries NI Yarnspinners are regular storytelling events supported by The Armstrong Storytelling Trust which take place in various libraries on a monthly basis.

< Back Fra Gunn Adults, Children, Festivals, Special Needs Availability: Not full time resident on the Island of Ireland but available on the island of Ireland all year round, prepared to travel nationally and internationally. Repertoire: Fra’s repertoire includes myths and legends, folk and faery tales, stories of dungeons and dragons, witches and wizards, riddles, rhymes, ghosts and ganders and eh, a tale about a tail! Background experience: Fra has been a professional actor, storyteller, musician, puppeteer, writer, director, living historian, tour guide and workshop facilitator for over 30 years. He has worked extensively throughout the five ancient provinces of Ireland as well as Scotland, England, Wales, USA, Italy, China, Slovenia and Liverpool. His clients and venues have included theatre, film and television companies, schools, libraries, museums, streets, parks, art centres, community centres, festivals, buses, trains, ships and even an aeroplane! fgunn36@googlemail.com