Helena Byrne tells the story of Diarmuid and Grainne’s cave in this beautifully produced two-part documentary ‘Rúin ón Spéir’ (Secrets from the Sky). The story can be viewed in episode two chapter 3. Irish with English subtitles available.
The Kilkenny People reports on storyteller Helena Byrne’s new role as ‘Storyteller in Residence’ with Kilkenny County Council Library Service.
August 2023
Storyteller & Singer Helena Byrne performs on RTÉ Radio One’s Liveline with Joe Duffy.
March 2023
“The Magic of Local Lore” exhibition, curated by storyteller Helena Byrne, launched at Castlecomer Library.
Kilkenny People, December 2023
Storyteller & Singer Helena Byrne talks to East Coast FM about her upcoming show at Mermaid County Wicklow Arts Centre, March 11th 2023.
Social history project ‘Stirring Memories’, curated by storyteller Helena Byrne, provides fascinating insights into the lives of people who grew up in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.
Irish Independent, February 2022
‘Dublin Live’ interview storyteller Helena Byrne about curating the social history project ‘Stirring Memories’.
Dublin Live, February 2022
‘Dublin Gazette’ reports on the launch of the ‘Stirring Memories’ social history exhibition in the LexIcon Library, Dún Laoghaire, curated by Helena Byrne.
Dublin Gazette, March 2022
The ‘Kilkenny Press’ reports on storyteller and singer Helena Byrne’s advancement into virtual performance during the pandemic.
Kilkenny Press, April 2021
“Less than a minute into her stories, audience members are hooked. They’re laughing and participating in the storytelling experience without a care to what is happening outside the pub or on their phones. And that’s just the way Byrne likes it.”
Megan Marples, GoExperienceIreland, April 2019
Helena features in the Podcast ‘Imaginary Worlds’ hosted by Eric Molinsky alongside fellow storytellers Eddie Lenihan and Philip Byrne as they delve into the Fairy Folklore of Ireland – October 2018
“In her latest recording, Irish singer-songwriter Helena Byrne explores Irish emigration” – Celtic Life International talks to Helena about her latest album, touring and her greatly lacking camogie skills – Celtic Life International, April 2018
Helena chats with Voyage Houston Magazine about her work as a storyteller and singer, growing up in Ireland and the challenges that come with building a career as a performer. – October 2018
“The best feature of the album is the excerpts of interviews with immigrants and their descendants, which grounds the artistic and dramatic content in a folksy authenticity. Sure, sentimentality and pathos are readily found in “Tóraíocht Shonais,” but history isn’t supposed to be an entirely academic, dry-eyed affair. Byrne does an effective job of personalizing the thousands upon millions of stories born of the journey from the Old World to the New.” – Boston Irish Reporter review of Helena’s new album ‘Tóraíocht Shonais’ (Pursuit of Happiness) – Boston Irish Reporter, March 2018
“This album is beautiful piece of craftmanship and will be enjoyed by both the Irish diaspora family and those who simply have a love of Irish music and stories alike” – Travel Ireland Magazine’s review of Helena’s new album ‘Tóraíocht Shonais’ – Travel Ireland Magazine, December 2017
“An Irish storyteller shares the secrets of her trade” – Irish Central talks to Helena about her new album ‘Tóraíocht Shonais’ and the art of storytelling – IrishCentral.com, January 2018
Helena talks with Janice & Cory of Roundhouse Radio about St. Patrick’s Day, the Irish Diaspora and Irish emmigration to Canada, and the magic of Irish folklore – Roundhouse Radio Vancouver, March 17th 2017
In the 18th and 19th centuries, seanchaí were traveling storytellers who were welcomed into Irish villages to entertain and bring local news in return for food and a place to sleep. Now seanchaí Helena Byrne said her role as a storyteller is to keep Irish folklore alive – WNPR Connecticut, March 23rd 2017
Helena chats with Richard Pheneger and Peggy Nelson about St. Patrick’s day, the Irish diaspora, the folklore and superstitions of Ireland, and her upcoming show along the US east coast – Connecticut’s WPKN FM ‘State of the Arts’ Show, March 10th 2017
“If you think of an Irish storyteller, a seanchaí, the image that might come to mind is that of a grizzled man wearing a cloth cap sitting in a pub regaling the lads with stories of banshees. What you probably wouldn’t imagine is a lithe and lovely, raven-haired lass with a pixie haircut and a twinkle in her blue eyes, but that is Helena Byrne and she is, indeed, a seanchaí, and she’s coming to the Irish Heritage Society of Milford on Sunday, March 26.” – Connecticut Post Chronicle, March 2017
‘Dublin Lives’ features Helena’s work and aspirations to keep Ireland’s folklore alive – DublinLive.ie, February 2017
Helena talks storytelling, family tradition and the YARN Festival 2016 – Travel Ireland Magazine, November 2016
“As she wove her tale, you could sense many people of advanced years shedding their age and again becoming wide-eyed children as they listened to what happened to Brian and Art — they were all there with these two hunchbacks, watching the fairies dance around the fairy tree or standing before the Fairy King as he rendered his judgment on Brian’s and Art’s actions, and issuing a collective sigh of relief and satisfaction as Byrne ended her story and they returned from that dark, fairy-filled night in Ireland to a meeting room in Quinnipiac.” – Connecticut Theatre News & Reviews, Sep 2016
In this two page editorial Helena writes about the making of her album ‘Scéal’ and the unexpected path to her grandfather that it brought her down. – Celtic Canada Magazine, Spring 2016
“There is a very unfortunate impression that the art of traditional storytelling is only suited for the juvenile mind, and adults are somehow exempt from its virtues. Byrne, a Kilkenny native… certainly doesn’t feel that way, and “Scéal” states her case for reclaiming storytelling as multi-generational entertainment – and, of course, a way to pass along history and culture.” – Boston Irish Reporter, May 2016
“If you don’t get goosebumps when you hear her beautiful voice then you may need to consult a medical professional because chances are, you’re dead inside.” – Travel Ireland Magazine, March 2016
Helena talks stories, music and all things Celtic in this three page feature with Celtic Family Magazine – Celtic Family Magazine, Spring Edition 2016
“A brand new album from an Irish storyteller bridges the gap between Irish legends and folk music.” – The Irish World Newspaper UK, April 2016
“I didn’t want the stories to end, each one was more spellbinding than the last.” – The Celtic Connection Magazine USA, March/April 2016
Helena’s interview with The Celtic Guide Magazine USA – April 2016
Helena’s interview with John Masterson at KCLR 96 FM – January 2015
Helena’s interview with JohnMasterson at KCLR 96 FM – February 2014
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