THE GLENS STORYTELLING FESTIVAL
8th - 11th October 2026
There's no stronger connection between people than storytelling...
Wed 07 OctPre festival story swapJoin Storyteller Liz Weir and friends for this pre- festival story swap. This event will take place in person, at Ballyeamon Barn and also on line via zoom. You can register via the booking link on our website. Pre registration for the zoom link is required.
Thu 08 OctLocation is TBDJoin us at the Glens Storytelling Festival 2026, taking place 8th - 11th October Featuring Storytellers Eddie Lenihan, Anne Harper, Fran O’Boyle, Colin Urwin and Stephen O’Hara. Tickets will be on sale via our website.
Thu 08 OctLaragh Lodge RestaurantJoin us for a wonderful evening of stories, laughter and good company as we kick off the Glens Storytelling Festival 2026.We’re delighted to welcome the brilliant storytellers Stephen O’Hara and Fran O’Boyle. These gents know how to spin a great yarn and you’re guaranteed a memorable night.
Fri 09 OctThe Old Church Centre - Cushendun BuildiJoin Anne Harper for the premiere of this newly created piece. A journey through time and place. An exploration of the ancient roots of our musical and storytelling traditions. It brings together the beautiful sound of the modern harp and the ancient lyre and revisits some of our oldest stories.
Sat 10 OctWaterfoot Beach Playpark Car ParkJoin Storyteller Janice Witherspoon for this magical storywalk. Hear tales of legends and myths of the shore. This is a family friendly event. Meeting point is play park car park in Waterfoot.
Sat 10 OctCushendall Golf ClubJoin us for a magical evening with Eddie Lenihan, one of Ireland’s best-known storytellers and folklorists, and author of Meeting the Other Crowd. Prepare to be captivated by tales of fairies, folklore, ancient traditions and the mysterious world that exists just beyond our own.
Sun 11 OctCushendall Beach car parkStep into a world of giants, fairies and forgotten paths! Join storyteller Janice Witherspoon for a magical Story Walk through the landscape around Cushendall, bringing to life the legends, folklore and stories woven into this special corner of the world. This is a family friendly event.
Sun 11 OctThe Old Church Centre - Cushendun BuildiJoin Eddie Lenihan and Colin Urwin for a very special festival finale. Settle in for an afternoon of Irish folk tales, folklore, laughter and a few tunes along the way. With two fine storytellers at the helm, expect captivating tales, curious characters, a touch of magic and plenty of good humour.
Our Featured Storytellers
Read more about our featured Storytellers and other guest storytellers here.
Eddie Lenihan
One of the few traditional storytellers or Seanchaí still working in Ireland, this is your chance to hear his tales of Irish Myth and Folklore and other ancient Irish traditions.
Anne Harper
A musician and storyteller, Anne loves to weave musical threads into the fabric of her stories. She is working on a new performance which is inspired by the shared heritage of Ulster and Western Scotland, which highlights our connection in story, music and landscape.
Fran O'Boyle
Fran O'Boyle is a storyteller and artist who is based in County Donegal with Glens of Antrim roots. He has been working as a professional storyteller for more years than he cares to remember in schools, festivals, museums, and libraries all over Ireland and the U.K. He specialises in re-telling traditional stories from the Anglo/Welsh borders, where he lived for many years, the Glens of Antrim, and is now researching the folklore and tales of Northwest Donegal.
Colin Urwin
Colin Urwin is a folksinger, songwriter, storyteller, author and workshop facilitator. Steeped for a lifetime in the language, folklore and traditions of his beloved Glens of Antrim, Colin has long been influenced by traditional Irish and Scottish music, song and story. He is inspired by the people and places, the history and legends, and the sheer, rugged romance of the northeast coast of Ireland. From these he conjures up many of his beautiful ballads, magical rhyming monologues and delicately woven tales of wonder.
Stephen O'Hara
Stephen O'Hara is a storyteller who delves deep into Irish folklore and mythology, breathing life into ancient heroes, mythical creatures and forgotten legends.
His stories bring the past of this place into the present, memorialising lost characters and making sense of superstitions and customs.
Janice Witherspoon
Janice Witherspoon has been working as a professional storyteller for more than 10 years. Entertaining audiences of all ages across Scotland, England and now back in her native Co. Antrim, Janice has a wide repertoire of legends and lore of these islands and enjoys leading story walks, where she draws on her love of nature and legends.
Thanks to our funders and partners.
