Led by Narrative 4 Ireland with Festival in a Van, NI Youth Forum, and R-City, Living Legends invited students to dive into Ireland’s rich culture and stunning landscapes through storytelling, music, theatre, screenwriting, and more.

From the windswept beauty of Inis Mór and the Giant’s Causeway, to the team challenges at Carlingford Adventure Centre, the group explored the landscapes and folklore of the island of Ireland, guided by amazing storytellers and artists including Rab Fulton, Órla McGovern, and Pat Ryan. Their grand finale? Performing their very own stories from the Festival in a Van stage!

But the real magic? The friendships formed.

 These young people didn’t just share stories, they built bridges.

Stella a participant from Belfast said:

"Living Legends has brought me out of my comfort zone a lot. I've talked to people who I would have never met and I've just loved making all the connections with everybody and making new friends"

Nife, a participant from Limerick added:

"Everybody feels more free with each other now...I see us like a team."

What’s next?

With illustrator Cian Laffey, the group is creating a brand-new anthology of their creative work, set to launch this October. We can’t wait to see it.

Living Legends was made possible with the support of Creative Ireland’s Shared Island Initiative, and the fantastic partnership of Festival in a Van, NI Youth Forum, and R-City Belfast.

"The impact of Living Legends is written on the faces of these young people - confidence, joy and real connection. They've challenged stereotypes, discovered new landscapes and told their own stories. That's the kind of change that lasts."