What’s the Scéal? is a series of events that celebrates the ancient tradition of storytelling and seeks to highlight the role of storytellers in Ireland today.

Now in its second year, the National Museum of Ireland and Poetry Ireland are delighted to partner up once again to deliver What's the Scéal with some of Ireland’s renowned and talented storytellers through a special programme of events for adults and children.

Ireland has a long tradition of storytelling. From the deep well of Celtic folklore dating back into our ancient past, the Seanachaí brought forth tales of fairies, fiends, friendships and adventures. In more recent times, they performed tales at the fireside in a visiting house, to the merriment and often terror of their fixated audiences. Today, that tradition still thrives, and storytellers all over Ireland continue to tell the tales of old and add their own voice to the ever growing treasury of stories.
 
This week of storytelling at the Museum will bring some of Ireland’s renowned and creative storytellers together to engage school children and adults with stories that inspire the imagination and will provide personal connections between Museum objects and peoples' own stories and experiences.

There are three elements to the programme:

What's the Scéal? Objects and Stories

A series of storytelling performances for schools at primary and post primary level, with storytellers from across Ireland including Fiona Dowling, Joe Brennan, Nuala Hayes and Pat Ryan.

What's the Scéal?  Scéalta agus an Seanchaí/ Stories and the Storyteller

A mini-symposium on Friday, 2 December, at the NMI - Country Life, featuring panel discussions and speakers from the world of storytelling in Ireland and beyond. FIND OUT MORE

What's the Scéal? with Niall de Búrca

A live performance on Saturday, 3 December, with one of Ireland’s foremost storytellers, Niall de Búrca, in the courtyard at Turlough Park House. FIND OUT MORE