C'mere to me w/ Noreen Murphy

Maria Gillen is one of the soundest women in Cork. A proud ‘Norrie’, story teller, broadcaster, drama therapist and absolute gem of a human.

She was Storyteller in Residence for the Kerry Writers Museum and is a well-known Bean an Tí (Irish Session Host) on the Irish storytelling circuit. A passionate listener and teller of stories, she delights in sharing and co-creating stories with people of all ages……. from the cradle to the grave.

She believes deeply in the power of storytelling to build community, foster resilience, and bridge differences. A member of the Irish Association of Creative Arts Therapists (IACAT), Maria is an award-winning storyteller who has twice won Ireland’s longest-running storytelling competition, the Finuge Storytelling Competition, as well as the Butter Roads Storytelling Competition.

Before dedicating herself fully to storytelling and therapeutic arts, Maria spent 22 years in a global multinational organisation, culminating in her role as European Operations Manager. She qualified as a Biodynamic Therapist in 2007 and later completed an MA in Drama therapy at Maynooth University.

Coming from a Mayfield family where stories were treasured, Maria is fascinated by the wisdom, folklore, and traditions of previous generations and their relevance to modern life. Her work draws on these rich traditions while engaging contemporary audiences in meaningful and creative ways.

She is a featured teller at Kerry Writers Museum and has performed at the Listowel Writers’ Week and the Cape Clear International Storytelling Festival.

Maria is particularly passionate about working within communities, uncovering the stories, strengths, and creative tools that have helped people navigate periods of conflict, change, and transformation throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Drawing on this experience, she designs and delivers workshops in storytelling, team development, public speaking, improvisation, and creative communication. Her website is storyfromseeds.com Music by Ger Wolfe