Story From Seeds - Maria Gillen - Storyteller

Iontach! Draíochtúil! - a warm embrace from nature through the eyes of the self confessed 'Wild Child', Seán Ronayne ❤️🙏

An Introduction: Becoming "Nature Boy" Welcome to the very first episode of The Seán Chorus! This week...

I love the UNMISSABLE Listowel Storytelling Festival every September & hope to see some of you there!

🌍 Meet Our Festival Artists | Maria Gillen

A fourth-generation traditional Irish storyteller, Story From Seeds - Maria Gillen - Storyteller draws what she describes as the five deep wells of Irish storytelling: myth and legend, stories of the landscape, diaspora stories, wise-woman traditions and stories created together.

Maria’s storytelling is shaped by the voices of her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, alongside her work as a dramatherapist specialising in the healing power of story. She has shared stories across Ireland, Europe, Africa, Canada and America.

Maria recently added another honour to her storytelling journey, winning the 2026 Sean McCarthy Memorial Storytelling Cup in Finuge — her third time winning the prestigious competition — and continues her close connection with the village through her work as an archivist with Sheahan’s Storytelling Cottage.

See Maria in the schools storytelling programme Storytelling in Schools and the free international Culture Night performance A Tapestry of Tales in Listowel on Friday 18 September, followed by the family storytelling performance Stories Across the Sea on Sunday 20 September.

These events are part of the Listowel International Storytelling Festival, hosted by Kerry Writers’ Museum.

Discover more about Maria and explore her festival events:
https://kerrywritersmuseum.com/storytelling-festival-programme-2026/

Im so looking forward to telling stories with Omar Belaarej & Jim Brule partners in my project with Sheehans Storytelling Cottage & Kerry Writers Museum 😊🙏

🌍 Stories from Across the Sea

As part of the Listowel International Storytelling Festival, hosted by Kerry Writers’ Museum, join Story From Seeds - Maria Gillen - Storyteller and Omar Belaarej for a vibrant celebration of stories that cross seas, cultures, languages and generations.

Maria has been part of the festival’s journey since its very beginning, and we are delighted to welcome Omar back for his second year. Together, they will share Irish, Moroccan and co-created stories that illuminate our shared humanity through the timeless tradition of oral storytelling.

Filled with warmth, humour and imagination, this family-friendly event invites audiences of all ages to gather, listen and experience the stories that connect us—wherever we come from and wherever we call home.

📅 Sunday 20 September
🕛 12 noon
📍 Kerry Writers' Museum
🎟️ €8
👧 Free entry for children aged 12 and under

Suitable for all ages.

Wonderful night in great company, telling from the 5 deep wells of Irish Storytelling ❤️🙏

A great start to The Bandon Walled Town festival tonight, with story teller Maria Gillen.