Finale event - stories and music

Join us for the closing event of the festival when storytellers from far and near share some of their favourite tales.

Eddie is one of Ireland's best known storytellers. He is a prolific author and collector of tales and is renowned for his knowledge of folklore.  He has a particular interest in the "good people" and came to world prominence in 1999 when he stood up to roadbuilders in Co Clare who wanted to cut down a special skeagh or fairy tree.

Jane Dorfman is a storyteller from the Greater Washington DC area of the United States. Jane tells tales of dutiful daughters and wise women, faithful sons and wicked kings, of magic skipping ropes and Irish heroes, of the angel Elijah and the fools of Chelm. She tells personal stories about her New Orleans childhood and her Maryland neighbours. She revels in stories from the Arabian Nights and tells a few lies as well.

Libraries NI's Storyteller in Residence Liz Weir has been sharing her  tales for over 40 years and has built up an international reputation, having been a featured teller at storytelling festivals around the world. As a former librarian, she is passionate about getting people to preserve and share their own stories.

Maria is a Storyteller and Author renowned for her compelling, vibrant performances. She has a vast knowledge of traditional stories passed down by her Irish father and grandmother which she brings to life with her lucid, engaging style. “In Maria’s hands a story is a living, breathing thing. Mesmerising.” – Frank Cottrell Boyce.

Francis McCarron is a community development worker, regional tour guide and storyteller from County Monaghan. He grew up near the village of Tydavnet, a place steeped in legend and folklore. He has been telling stories for over 20 years – and some are even true! Francis believes that, in Ireland, a knowledge of the old tales and legends (and a little bit of the Irish language) brings the mystery and magic of the surrounding landscape to life.

A native of Co Kildare now based in Co Armagh, Steve Lally has worked as a storyteller and visual artist for over fifteen years. He writes his own fresh material as well as re-imagining folk tales, myths, legends, recitations and story songs, and is the author of several books of folk tales.