Voices of the Glens: Storytelling Festival Returns to Celebrate Heritage and Folklore
The Glens Storytelling Festival is set to return from October 17th to 20th, 2024, bringing four days of enchanting tales, cultural heritage, and community connection to the heart of the Glens of Antrim. Known for its rich blend of traditional storytelling, music, and local history, this festival promises an unforgettable experience for attendees of all ages.
The festival kicks off on October 17th with the launch event, Stories from the Landscape, featuring celebrated storytellers Olivia Armstrong, Joe Brennan, and Liz Weir. Held at Ballygally Community Hall, this event sets the tone for a weekend filled with captivating narratives that span folklore, myth, and local history. This year’s lineup features a variety of performances, from intimate storytelling sessions to larger, interactive community events.
Throughout the festival, there are numerous opportunities to participate in unique events like Stitch and Story with Denise Weir, where attendees can combine crafting with the art of storytelling, taking place at Ballycastle Library and Glenariffe CRC. The festival also offers several "story walks," where participants are invited to explore the beautiful landscapes of Rathlin Island and Glenarm Forest while being guided by skilled storytellers such as Janice Witherspoon and Caoimhin Mac Gabhann. These walks, organized in collaboration with the Glens Red Squirrel Group, promise an immersive experience, blending the natural environment with stories of the land.
Children take center stage in the event Once Upon a Story, featuring pupils from St. Mary’s Primary School, Cushendall, who have spent weeks working with local storytellers to craft their own narratives. For families, the Forest Story Walk on October 19th, starting at Laragh Lodge, offers a fun and educational experience in a magical setting.
One of the festival’s highlights is From Glen to Glen, an evening of storytelling held at St. Mary’s Parish Centre in Cushendall. This event will transport listeners to mythical realms, with performances by Olivia Armstrong, Joe Brennan, and Cath Little, three of the festival’s star storytellers. Another standout event is Tales and Tae, a celebration of Ulster Scots storytelling, where local voices share their cultural heritage, joined by seasoned storytellers Olivia Armstrong and Liz Weir.
The festival will culminate in a spectacular finale, Tales of the Sea, held at the Londonderry Arms Hotel. Here, festival-goers can enjoy the closing performances of Olivia Armstrong, Joe Brennan, and Cath Little, bringing the weekend of stories to a stirring close.
The Glens Storytelling Festival not only highlights the talents of renowned storytellers but also fosters new voices, ensuring the art of storytelling continues to thrive. Featured performers such as Cardiff’s Cath Little, Wexford’s Joe Brennan, and Northern Ireland’s Olivia Armstrong bring their distinct storytelling styles to the festival, offering a diverse range of narratives. The festival director, Liz Weir, whose own storytelling legacy is deeply connected to the Glens, is instrumental in shaping this vibrant gathering.
Beyond the performances, the festival creates an opportunity for people to gather, connect, and share in the oldest form of entertainment: storytelling. Through a mix of ticketed and free events, with donations welcomed, the festival is accessible to all, continuing its mission to celebrate the oral traditions that unite communities.
This year’s Glens Storytelling Festival promises to be a magical experience, showcasing the power of stories to connect people to each other, to their heritage, and to the landscape they inhabit. With a program packed with talent and creativity, it is an event not to be missed.