Live Virtual Storytelling Nights from the Curragh Plains of Kildare

County Kildare has a storytelling tradition stretching back centuries, rooted in the ancient landscapes of the Curragh Plains and the monastic heritage of Kildare town itself. The county's libraries and cultural organisations — including Kildare County Council Arts Office and the team behind Kildare Arts — host regular virtual storytelling evenings that bring this living tradition straight to your screen. These online sessions draw on local historians, seanchaí (traditional Irish storytellers), and creative writers who weave tales of the Curragh's horse legends, the story of Saint Brigid, and the fierce folklore of the Liffey Valley.

Sessions are broadcast live via Zoom or YouTube Live, so you can drop in from your armchair with a cup of tea and still feel genuinely part of the gathering. Expect a warm, informal atmosphere — presenters actively invite questions through the chat, and it is entirely normal to hear participants from Naas, Newbridge and Athy all chiming in together. Most events run for roughly 60 to 90 minutes, and recordings are often made available afterwards through the Kildare County Library online portal for those who miss the live broadcast.

The nearest hub for this activity is Kildare town itself, where the County Library at Riverbank Arts Centre in Newbridge serves as the main cultural anchor for many of these programmes. Newbridge, sitting just off the M7 motorway, is easy to reach by car — there is ample free parking beside the Riverbank. For those travelling by public transport, Irish Rail runs regular services to Newbridge station, which is a short walk from the arts centre should you ever wish to attend a related in-person event on the same programme.

A local tip most visitors would never know: the storytelling sessions often reference Donnelly's Hollow on the Curragh, a natural amphitheatre where legendary bare-knuckle boxer Dan Donnelly fought his famous bouts in the early nineteenth century. Local tellers give this spot an almost mythic quality, and listeners who look it up on a map before joining the session find the stories land with far more atmosphere. It is a tiny piece of local knowledge that transforms a good story into something you can practically picture.

Cost is the best part — most virtual events are completely free, or occasionally ask for a voluntary contribution of around €3–€5 to support the hosting organisation. Some themed series or workshops with well-known storytellers may carry a modest ticket price of €8–€12, bookable directly through the Kildare Arts website or Eventbrite. There is genuinely no barrier to giving it a try, even if you have never attended anything like this before. First-timers are warmly welcomed, and there is no expectation to participate verbally if you prefer simply to listen.

If the virtual experience sparks a deeper interest, the tradition of storytelling in Kildare is closely tied to the county's equine heritage — the Irish National Stud in Tully, just outside Kildare town, weaves its own living stories into the county's identity, and several storytelling programmes draw direct inspiration from it. Signing up for the Kildare County Library newsletter is the single best way to stay informed about upcoming online events, as sessions are announced there before anywhere else. It costs nothing, takes thirty seconds, and ensures you never accidentally miss a brilliant night in.