Just four years ago, a group of storytelling enthusiasts, led by local storyteller, Francis McCarron, began meeting to share stories, listen and learn from one another. There was no grand plan, just a shared appreciation for the power of a good story and a desire to keep Ireland’s rich oral tradition alive. Drumlin Yarnspinners was born.

Word spread, audiences grew and storytellers from across Ireland began making their way to Monaghan to take part in storytelling sessions. As well as creating a platform for local storytellers, the group welcomed guests from across Ireland and internationally, giving audiences the opportunity to experience a diverse range of storytelling traditions. This helped to strengthen Monaghan’s reputation as a hub for oral storytelling. Working with partners across the community, education and health sectors, the group brought storytelling into nursing homes, libraries, schools and IPAS centres throughout the county.

The launch of the Drumlin Storytelling Festival was a natural next step. What began as a local library-based initiative developed into a festival that now attracts storytellers from across Ireland and beyond. This year marked the third Drumlin Storytelling Festival, a significant achievement for the group. Supported by Creative Ireland, the festival has become a highlight of the Monaghan County Council’s cultural calendar. Throughout the weekend, audiences enjoyed storytelling performances, workshops, music and opportunities to meet some of the finest storytellers in the tradition. Events took place in a range of welcoming venues, creating spaces where stories could be shared and enjoyed by people of all ages.

The 2026 festival also marked the launch of a new visual identity, developed by local designer Paula McEntee of Saoí Studio. Inspired by the rhythm, pace and expression of oral storytelling, the brand captures the energy and spontaneity of stories told from memory, where no two tellings are ever quite the same. The typography reflects the changing tempo of a storyteller’s voice while subtly echoing the flowing contours of Monaghan’s drumlin landscape. The identity is complemented by striking folklore-inspired illustrations by Steve Doogan, featuring a crow, a pig and a hare, animals that regularly appear in local stories and traditions. Together with a colour palette inspired by Ireland’s illuminated manuscripts, the new brand celebrates both the creativity of the storyteller and the rich cultural heritage that underpins the festival.

The festival is also a celebration of the wider storytelling revival taking place in County Monaghan. Through the work of Drumlin Yarnspinners, storytelling has found new audiences

and new spaces while remaining rooted in the timeless tradition of gathering together to listen to, and share stories.

Speaking about the festival’s growth, Deirdriú McQuaid, Head of Culture, Monaghan County Council, said: “The success of Drumlin Yarnspinners and the Drumlin Storytelling Festival shows what can be achieved when creativity is supported at a local level. What began as a small initiative has grown into a vibrant cultural movement that is celebrating our storytelling heritage and establishing Monaghan as a place where stories are valued and shared.”

From its beginnings in Monaghan County Libraries to hosting a festival that welcomes audiences from near and far, Drumlin Yarnspinners has helped make storytelling a vibrant part of cultural life in the county.

Website: https://drumlinstorytelling.ie/
Email: drumlinyarn@monaghancoco.ie