Past Voices, Future Stories: Looking Back on Listowel International Storytelling Festival 2026

The chairs are stacked, the teacups are washed, and the last of the Culture Night crowd has finally gone home. Yet over a week later, Listowel still feels full of stories.

Storyteller Nuala Hayes summed up the spirit of the weekend before a single event had begun. Arriving in the Square, she met Owen McMahon, son of the Master, Bryan MacMahon, at the parking kiosk. He told her he’d been sent for a haircut at the insistence of the “Distaff of the Quarters,” meaning his good wife. As Nuala put it: “I said to myself, only in Listowel would I hear this!”

Every year, we invite you to join us on the story road, and this year that road stretched further than ever. It ran from classrooms in North Kerry to Marrakech and New York, and from the Square in Listowel to a village in Morocco’s Al Haouz Mountains. Along the way, it carried stories between generations. Schoolchildren held pieces of local history in their hands. The Kelly family gathered to honour one of their own. Storytellers from seven countries shared the same stage. Rain and wind did their best all weekend, but inside, venues were full, and visitors and artists alike remarked on the festival atmosphere.

From left: Éamon’s nephew Brian Kelly, son Eoin, daughter Sinéad, sister-in-law Mary Kelly and niece Anne.

Remembering Éamon Kelly

This year marked 25 years since the passing of Éamon Kelly, Ireland’s much-loved seanchaí, and we were honoured to celebrate him in the town where his remarkable career first took shape. It was especially moving to welcome so many of Éamon’s family to Listowel over the festival weekend. His son Eoin travelled from Cork and his daughter Sinéad from Holland, his niece Anne Kelly from Cork, his nephew Brian Kelly from Dublin, his sister-in-law Mary Kelly from Killarney and several cousins. In many ways, it felt like a legacy coming home.

The festival opened on Thursday evening with Éamon Kelly: An Absolute Artist to a packed museum. The exhibition gathers photographs, posters, newspaper cuttings and archival material. It was researched by theatre historian and independent researcher Dr Fiona Brennan, with images generously provided by the Abbey Theatre Archive. Éamon Ó Murchú, Owen McMahon and Jimmy Deenihan each shared warm stories about Éamon. The exhibition takes its title from Éamon Ó Murchú’s description of his friend and colleague. In Nuala’s words, “the description An Absolute Artist… was justified, when assessing the life, work and writings of Éamon Kelly.”

Noel King then recited Wisdom, the poem he wrote following Éamon’s passing in October 2001. It first appeared in the 2002 Courtmacsherry Storytelling Festival brochure, a fitting remembrance of the festival where Éamon made his final storytelling festival appearance in September 2001. Noel also generously loaned an original Courtmacsherry Festival poster to the exhibition.

There was one more lovely surprise. In 1999, Kerry Writers’ Museum held a gala tribute night for Éamon at the Listowel Arms Hotel. This year, Jimmy Deenihan brought along a bundle of original copies of The Kerryman from that occasion for guests to take home. The front page says it all: “Éamon still holds the nation in his spell!”

The Celebratory Concert that followed played to a full house. Frances Kennedy was our Bean an Tí for the evening. Danny Larkin, Daisy Kearney and Nuala Hayes told stories, Karen Trench sang, and Sliabh Luachra musicians Bryan O’Leary and Aidan Connolly played fiddle and accordion. One of Éamon’s relatives took the audience on a wonderful trip down memory lane, holding everyone enthralled with a rare peep behind the scenes of family life with the storytelling legend. Nuala described the evening as “unforgettable for the sheer energy and fun of it all, ably and hilariously introduced by Frances Kennedy.”

A packed museum for the opening of Éamon Kelly: An Absolute Artist.

Posters from a remarkable career in Éamon Kelly: An Absolute Artist.

Festival artist Nuala Hayes with a portrait of Éamon Kelly in the exhibition.

Left: Éamon Ó Murchú and Festival Director Cara Trant. Right: Noel King with his Courtmacsherry Storytelling Carnival poster in the exhibition.

Festival Director Cara Trant and Jimmy Deenihan with original copies of The Kerryman from the 1999 gala tribute to Éamon Kelly at the Listowel Arms Hotel: “Éamon still holds the nation in his spell!”

David Browne, Chairperson of Kerry Writers’ Museum, at the exhibition.

On Saturday afternoon, Fiona guided a moving and often hilarious conversation at Memories of Éamon & Maura Kelly. Nuala Hayes recalled her first-ever play alongside Éamon and shared vivid, youthful impressions of Éamon and Maura. She also shared words written by her father, Micheál Ó hAodha, the Radio Éireann producer who first recognised that Éamon had all the skills of a seanchaí.. Ronan Wilmot had the room in stitches with the story of a chaotic visit to the Macroom Cinema. Owen McMahon spoke about Éamon’s enormous contribution to amateur drama. He reminded us that Éamon and Maura first met right here, through Listowel Drama Group. Eoin Kelly touched everyone with a memory of a family radio broadcast with an unexpected twist during a Christmas visit to Galway. His reflections on his parents were, as Nuala put it, “insightful and moving.” Noel King closed the afternoon by reciting Wisdom once more.

That evening, Theatre of the Hearthstone brought Fiona, Nuala, Ronan, Danny Larkin and Owen together for stories, readings and memories of Éamon’s theatre work, including his unforgettable performances alongside Maura. Rare film footage brought the man himself back into the room. Ní bheidh a leithéid arís ann.

The exhibition remains open at Kerry Writers’ Museum for the next few weeks. We are delighted to share that Eoin and Sinéad have kindly donated Éamon’s hat, which features in the exhibition, to the museum’s permanent collection. We are extremely grateful for this generous gift.

Dr Fiona Brennan with the contributors to Memories of Éamon & Maura Kelly, joined by Éamon’s children, Eoin and Sinéad Kelly.

Éamon Kelly’s hat, generously donated to the museum’s permanent collection by Eoin and Sinéad Kelly.

Members of the Kelly family gathered around Éamon’s hat in the exhibition.

StoryBridges: stories on the road

On Friday morning, the story road led straight into the classroom. Maria Gillen, Jim Brulé and Omar Belaarej brought stories from Ireland, New York and Marrakech to three Kerry schools as part of StoryBridges, a project that connects countries through storytelling. Their first stop was Lenamore National School, a stronghold of traditional singing, music and story. There the tellers got a wonderful reception, and the children turned the tables by bursting into song and serenading their visitors.

Back at the museum, Hazel and Aisling from Kerry County Museum brought the Mobile Museum to pupils from Presentation Primary School Listowel’s 6th class and Dromclough National School’s 1st and 2nd classes. From the Stone Age to more recent history, the children handled real artefacts, uncovered the stories they hold and imagined the people who once used them.

Hazel and Aisling from Kerry County Museum bring the Mobile Museum’s handling collection to local pupils.

Four days of stories

It may have been a wet and miserable morning outside, but Tales over Teacups at Lizzy’s Little Kitchen was pure magic inside, with all the easy warmth and craic of a kitchen table. Frances Kennedy, fondly described by Owen McMahon as the “Queen of the Rambling House,” was in her element. On Saturday morning, fellow All-Ireland storytelling champion Sonny Egan held Lynch’s Bakery & Coffee Shop in the palm of his hand. With a twinkle in his eye, he had the room laughing, chatting and singing along before he picked up his accordion, and soon the whole room was tapping along. More than a few teas went cold before anyone thought to drink them.

Paddy O’Brien’s Irish Place Names drew another full house on a wet and windy morning. His lively exploration of the origins of our place names, with a special focus on Kerry, gave everyone a chance to learn a little Irish along the way. Poet John McGrath and storyteller Paddy Regan led a warm and welcoming first Story & Poetry Swap. At St John’s Theatre & Arts Centre, Nuala brought Peig Sayers to life in Peig Unplugged, with stories translated by Éilís Ní Dhuibhne. As she said, “the warmth of the audience and the sheer beauty of the venue won me over.”

The “Queen of the Rambling House,” Frances Kennedy, at Tales over Teacups in Lizzy’s Little Kitchen.

Sonny Egan holds the room at Tales over Teacups in Lynch’s Bakery & Coffee Shop.

A full house for Paddy O’Brien’s Irish Place Names at Kerry Writers’ Museum.

Danny Larkin bringing stories to life.

Four days of stories

It may have been a wet and miserable morning outside, but Tales over Teacups at Lizzy’s Little Kitchen was pure magic inside, with all the easy warmth and craic of a kitchen table. Frances Kennedy, fondly described by Owen McMahon as the “Queen of the Rambling House,” was in her element. On Saturday morning, fellow All-Ireland storytelling champion Sonny Egan held Lynch’s Bakery & Coffee Shop in the palm of his hand. With a twinkle in his eye, he had the room laughing, chatting and singing along before he picked up his accordion, and soon the whole room was tapping along. More than a few teas went cold before anyone thought to drink them.

Paddy O’Brien’s Irish Place Names drew another full house on a wet and windy morning. His lively exploration of the origins of our place names, with a special focus on Kerry, gave everyone a chance to learn a little Irish along the way. Poet John McGrath and storyteller Paddy Regan led a warm and welcoming first Story & Poetry Swap. At St John’s Theatre & Arts Centre, Nuala brought Peig Sayers to life in Peig Unplugged, with stories translated by Éilís Ní Dhuibhne. As she said, “the warmth of the audience and the sheer beauty of the venue won me over.”

Storyteller Maria Gillen and Czech poet Šimon Leitgeb with a festival friend.

On Culture Night, A Tapestry of Tales in Listowel brought stories, myths, music and poetry from near and far to the museum. Our Bean an Tí, Maria Gillen, led an evening featuring Czech poet Šimon Leitgeb, German storyteller Simone Schuemmelfeder, Belgian harpist Reidun and guest artists. The young musicians of Teen Music Fusion played to a packed house, and the atmosphere was electric. The night rolled on at Christy’s ‘The Well’ Bar, where Listowel Writers’ Week’s Poets Corner hosted late-night poetry and stories. Across the weekend, we also welcomed Jim Brulé from the USA, Omar Belaarej from Morocco, Yoshio Takahata from Japan and Dawn Casey from England.

At the Story Swap in John B. Keane’s Bar, hosted by Frances Kennedy and Paddy O’Brien, Yoshio told a Japanese tale that, as Maria noted, had more than a few shades of Niamh and Oisín about it. It was a lovely reminder of how the red thread of story weaves nations together.

Saturday also brought the launch of The Seanchaí Writers’ Anthology 2026, gathering new poems and stories from thirteen local writers, with music from Ian and Hannah O’Shea. That evening, Karen Underwood, originally from Chicago and now based in Cork, made her St John’s debut with a sold-out performance of The Music of Nina Simone. From “Strange Fruit” and “Mississippi Goddam” to “Sinnerman,” Karen brought Nina’s extraordinary story to life through narration and song. Her fabulous live band was Gary Beecher on piano, Eoghan Regan on guitar, David Whitla on bass and Davy Ryan on drums.

Families were spellbound by Dawn Casey’s workshop and her magical shadow theatre, The Wild Swans. The much-loved fairy tale came to life through a traditional light box and hand-crafted paper-cut silhouettes in the gentle glow of lamplight, and it held children and adults alike.

Elsewhere across the weekend – Jim Brulé led his Legacy Storytelling workshop at the Listowel Arms Hotel and Shredding the Monstrous Past at the museum. John Keane guided the Storytellers Trail through the streets that shaped Bryan MacMahon and John B. Keane. Niall Cuddy and Paddy Doyle premiered Woken Bird at the Kilmorna Collection. Lorraine Carey’s poetry workshop, Blown to the Winds, explored movement, migration and home. Mike Gallagher, Eileen Sheehan and James Fogarty brought poetry and story to Listowel Castle.

Stories Across the Sea

On Sunday, Omar Belaarej, Storyteller in Residence at the World Storytelling Café in Marrakech, brought stories from his home village of Oukhribene in Morocco’s Al Haouz Mountains to Listowel. He was joined by his “story sister,” Maria Gillen, an award-winning, fourth-generation traditional Irish storyteller and Storyteller in Residence at Sheehan’s Storytelling Cottage in Finuge. Maria welcomed Omar and looked after him during his stay. Together they shared Irish, Moroccan and co-created tales, building a living Story Bridge between two rich oral traditions and bringing everyone into the same circle. As Omar put it: “From Morocco to Ireland, one story at a time.” Maria said it best once he had left: she’s really missing her “Story Brother” now that he’s safely on his way home to Marrakech.

We closed with Slán Abhaile, which brought our festival storytellers and guests together with the performers of Listowel Rambling House for music, song, dance and refreshments. It was a fittingly communal farewell.

Festival artists Omar Belaarej, Maria Gillen, Jim Brulé and Yoshio Takahata with friends.

A festival that keeps growing

One of the real joys of this year was seeing so many new faces alongside our loyal regulars. We welcomed first-time festival-goers, families, and visitors from across Ireland and further afield. Audiences were bigger and more diverse than ever. Highlights included a packed exhibition launch, a full house for the opening concert, a full room for Irish Place Names, an electric Teen Music Fusion session on Culture Night and a sold-out Nina Simone concert, and many more events were close behind.

Artists and audiences complimented the number, variety and quality of events in this year’s programme. As Nuala said: “There were storytellers and poets from many parts of the world there, and it was impossible to cover all the sessions I wanted to experience.”

Each year the festival grows a little bigger and a little bolder, and each year it feels more like a celebration that belongs to the whole town.

Left: first-time visitors to the festival. Right: Karen Trench and Aidan Ó Murchú.

The heart of literary Listowel

For 25 years, Kerry Writers’ Museum has been a home for stories on the Square in Listowel. It celebrates the town’s remarkable literary heritage, from John B. Keane and Bryan MacMahon to Brendan Kennelly, Maurice Walsh and George Fitzmaurice, while making room for the voices still to come.

Across the festival, the museum was an exhibition space, a concert hall, a classroom, a workshop room, a book launch venue and a meeting place for storytellers from every corner of the world. It is a place where creativity is nurtured all year round. The Seanchaí Writers’ Group meets here, and so do our Fighting Words Kerry and Adult Literacy programmes, school tours, talks and exhibitions.

The festival’s reach extends well beyond our own doors. Events took place at St John’s Theatre & Arts Centre, the Listowel Arms Hotel, the Kilmorna Collection, John B. Keane’s Bar, Christy’s ‘The Well’ Bar, Lizzy’s Little Kitchen, Lynch’s Bakery & Coffee Shop, Listowel Castle and local schools. Together they brought footfall to local businesses and filled beds across Listowel and the surrounding area. We believe a thriving cultural life and a thriving town go hand in hand. In our 25th anniversary year, the festival is a reminder of what a small museum in a small town can do.

Thank you

Our warmest thanks to every artist who shared their gifts with us this year: Nuala Hayes, Jim Brulé, Karen Underwood, Omar Belaarej, Dawn Casey, Ronan Wilmot, Maria Gillen, Paddy O’Brien, Dr Fiona Brennan, Frances Kennedy, Sonny Egan, Eileen Sheehan, Bryan O’Leary, Aidan Connolly, Danny Larkin, Lorraine Carey, Yoshio Takahata, Daisy Kearney, Simone Schuemmelfeder, Šimon Leitgeb, Reidun, James Fogarty, Paddy Doyle, Niall Cuddy, Owen McMahon, Karen Trench, John McGrath, Mike Gallagher, Paddy Regan and John Keane.

Thank you to the Kelly family, to Noel King, Jimmy Deenihan and Éamon Ó Murchú, and to the Abbey Theatre Archive. Thank you to Hazel and Aisling at Kerry County Museum, to Lenamore National School and all the schools who joined us, to our partner venues and local businesses, and to our volunteers. And thank you to everyone who came along to listen, laugh and share a story of their own.

We are also very grateful to our funders and sponsors, whose support makes the festival possible: the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport; the Arts Council; Fáilte Ireland; Kerry County Council; Discover Kerry; the Wild Atlantic Way; Moriarty Group; Listowel Business & Community Alliance; World Storytelling Cafe; North County House B&B; AIB; Listowel Printing Works Ltd; Listowel – Where Stories Begin; J.M. Agency; and Listowel Credit Union.

From schoolchildren handling the past to a family honouring their own, and from a Kerry kitchen table to a village in the Moroccan mountains, this year’s festival reminded us that stories are how one generation speaks to the next. Or, as Nuala put it as she left town just as the Harvest Races were about to begin: “I’ll be back!” We hope you will be too.

And if you’re wondering what’s in store for 2027, you’ll have to ask our Festival Director, Cara Trant. The last storyteller had barely said slán abhaile before she was already making plans for next year.

With sincere thanks to our funders and sponsors, whose generous support helps keep Listowel’s stories alive.

The stories don’t stop when the festival ends. Éamon Kelly: An Absolute Artist is open for the next few weeks, and copies of The Seanchaí Writers’ Anthology 2026 are available from the museum for €10 while stocks last. Kerry Writers’ Museum is open year-round, with tours of our Writers’ Rooms, exhibitions, events and the Castle View Café.  Plan your visit, sign up to our newsletter for news of what’s coming next, or support our work and help us keep Listowel’s stories alive.