What’s the Scéal?
What’s the Scéal? is an annual series of events that celebrates the ancient tradition of storytelling and seeks to highlight the role of storytellers in Ireland today.The National Museum of Ireland and Poetry Ireland are delighted to partner up 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.Storytelling Tradition
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.
Creative Programme
The week of storytelling at the Museum brought some of Ireland’s renowned and creative storytellers together to engage school children and adults with stories that inspired the imagination and provided personal connections between Museum objects and peoples' own stories and experiences.As part of this programme we held a mini-symposium on Friday, 2nd December 2023, featuring panel discussions and speakers from the world of storytelling in Ireland and beyond. It was chaired by Theo Dorgan and featured storytellers, Oein DeBhairduin, Nuala Hayes, Jack Lynch, Pat Ryan and Liz Weir.
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