This programme brought together storytelling and traditional music, with Frances Quinn and me sharing the stage for an evening shaped by folk tales, local history, and the musical character of County Armagh.
An Evening of Story and Music
This event was built around a shared idea. To let stories and music speak to one another in a natural way. I was delighted to take part alongside :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}, storyteller and author of :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
Frances brought the stories of the area to life through spoken word, while I played local airs and dance tunes on fiddle. The aim was not to separate story and music, but to allow them to flow together, each giving context and colour to the other.
The Landscape of Armagh in Story
:contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}, often called the Orchard County, is rich in folk tales, myths, and legend. It is a place where story lives close to the land, passed on through memory, place names, and local tradition.
Legend tells us this is where the warrior king Conor Mac Nessa once ruled, and where Deirdre of the Sorrows met her lover Naoise. It is said to be home to St Mochua’s Well, believed by some to cure and by others to curse. Traces of St Patrick’s disagreement with a bull are still pointed out, and tales persist of Mrs Lester being rudely awakened in her grave.
Stories also abound of encounters with fairies, ghosts, dragons, witches, and even a giant pig. These are not simply curiosities. They form part of a living tradition that continues to shape how people understand place and history.
From Legend to Laughter
Frances’ storytelling moves easily between tones. From age-old legends and fantastical myths to amusing anecdotes and cautionary tales. Some stories are bloodthirsty, others funny, passionate, or deeply moving.
That range is what gives the programme its energy. Listeners are taken on a journey that never feels fixed. You are invited to lean in, to let your imagination roam, and to experience the emotional shifts that are part of oral storytelling at its best.
Music as Companion to Story
My role in this collaboration was to support the storytelling through music rooted in the local tradition. Fiddle airs and dance tunes helped set the atmosphere, underline emotion, and give space for reflection between stories.
Traditional music has always lived alongside story. Tunes carry their own narratives, shaped by rhythm, phrasing, and memory. In this setting, the music did not compete with the spoken word. It listened, responded, and gently guided the listener onward.
Frances Quinn as Storyteller and Performer
Frances Quinn brings a strong performance background to her storytelling. She is a professional actress, with experience ranging from the London Fringe to touring and repertory companies in Ireland and England, including work with the English National Theatre.
Her work also spans radio, television, and film. As a storyteller, she recorded a CD of The Cúchulainn Saga and toured ten states in the United States performing these stories.
A significant part of her work has also taken place in educational and community settings. She has worked in schools, hospitals, and with people with disabilities, brain injuries, mental health challenges, and with older members of the community. That breadth of experience gives her storytelling depth and care.
A Shared Invitation
Frances’ collection of stories opens a door into a world shaped by imagination, history, and local voice. Whether the tale is dramatic, humorous, or cautionary, it invites listeners to step into Armagh’s past while still feeling its presence in the here and now.
Working together on this programme was a reminder of how powerful the combination of story and music can be. When both are allowed to breathe, they create a space where tradition feels alive, immediate, and shared.