Story From Seeds - Maria Gillen - Storyteller

11/09/2026

Dreaming into being! It's been a big few months on the , not to mind celebrating my roundy birthday! I have had a whale of a time bringing Irish stories from the 5 deep wells across the UK and Ireland. The Wheel of the Year workbooks have been taking shape and have been shipped out to my Chlann Scéalta (Story Family).

I'm on my way home now to host Jim Brule and Omar Belaarej in Cork before we make our way to the Listowel Storytelling Festival 2026. All part of , a dream to connect countries through story! If you want to know all about the wonderful wings this project has grown, you can read the whole story of the Story Bridge that now connects Cork, Kerry, Marrakech and New York!
https://storyfromseeds.com/blog/story-bridges/

In stories all things are possible! Le Grá Maria..

10/09/2026

Great craic with Phil, a mighty banjo player from Glanmire in Cork. A storming session at sea in great company with mighty tunes! 🎵🎵🎵🙏

Cork gear by Stan Notte Creations a huge hit at sea! ❤️🤍❤️🤍❤️🤍👏

29/08/2026

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

Welcome to the very first episode of The Seán Chorus! This week...

20/08/2026

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/

18/08/2026

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.

14/08/2026

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.

13/08/2026

Heading to Sean O'Donovan's pub, the Shambles of Bandon to celebrate its historical status as a walled town. Ill be telling from the 5 derp wells of Irish Storytelling- Hope to see you there! ☺️🙏🌟💚

13/08/2026

09/08/2026

I just love Sheehans Storytelling Cottage steeped in wonderful stories! All the Storytellers were outstanding on the night, all of them my great friends, steeped in our beautiful unique tradition of story ❤️