Central Library

The Plantin Step into the magical woods, where mischievous fairies meddle and ancient stories come to life. The Plantin is an immersive theatre experience for children and families, inspired by Irish and Ulster-Scots folklore and brought to life through physical theatre, puppetry, storytelling and traditional music. Gather close as our storytellers guide you through strange and playful tales of changelings, trickster fairies and enchanted journeys. Along the way, audiences help shape the adventure, using their imagination to help lift a fairy curse. Set in an intimate, stage-free space, The Plantin invites children and adults alike to become part of the story. A warm, interactive experience full of myth, mischief and collective wonder, celebrating the rich storytelling and musical traditions of this island. Event Information Duration: 45 minutes Family Show Suitable for children aged 6–8 years A magical journey of folklore, music and imagination where every audience member becomes part of the tale. Event Schedule Exhibition Dates: 3 August 2026 – 9 August 2026 | Day | Time | |------|------| | Monday - Sunday | From 09:00 | Event Date: Monday 3 August 2026 | Day | Time | |------|------| | Monday | 11:00 | Event Date: Monday 3 August 2026 | Day | Time | |------|------| | Monday | 13:00 | Event Date: Monday 3 August 2026 | Day | Time | |------|------| | Monday | 15:00 |

Step into the magical woods, where mischievous fairies meddle and ancient stories come to life. The Plantin is an immersive theatre experience for children and families, inspired by Irish and Ulster-Scots folklore and brought to life through physical theatre, puppetry, storytelling and traditional music. Gather close as our storytellers guide you through strange and playful tales of changelings, trickster fairies and enchanted journeys. Along the way, audiences help shape the adventure, using their imagination to help lift a fairy curse. Set in an intimate, stage-free space, The Plantin invites children and adults alike to become part of the story. A warm, interactive experience full of myth, mischief and collective wonder, celebrating the rich storytelling and musical traditions of this island. 45 Minutes Family Show - For Children 6-8 years old

Tales of Myth & Wonder With Anne Harper & Bróna McVittie Step into a world of myth, magic and wonder with Anne Harper and Bróna McVittie as they regale audiences with tales and serenades from Ireland and beyond. Drawing on her recently published folklore anthology, Bróna McVittie shares stories spanning from the thirteenth century to the present day, bringing ancient legends and enduring traditions to life through words and music. Anne Harper's work explores the forgotten and overlooked, blending historical research with traditional storytelling and musical performance to uncover fascinating stories from the past. Together, they invite audiences to cross the threshold between the everyday and the otherworldly through an enchanting programme of storytelling, song and live music. A Family-Friendly Interactive Experience This interactive event is suitable for all ages and features storytelling alongside acoustic performances on harp, guitar and other instruments. Expect an engaging journey through folklore, legend and imagination, where audiences become part of the storytelling experience. About Bróna McVittie Irish singer and musician Bróna McVittie has spent much of her career charting territory few others attempt to map. Her music draws on the deep well of Irish folk tradition while reaching outward into electronics, experimental textures and the rhythms of the natural world, creating a sound that feels rooted and exploratory in equal measure. Over the past decade, she has built a celebrated body of work that resists easy categorisation, earning a reputation for imaginative composition and intellectual range. "Music that takes you on its wings and gives you fresh visions." — Jude Rogers, The Guardian A magical blend of folklore, storytelling and music where ancient tales meet contemporary imagination.

The Salmon of Knowledge Join traditional storyteller Vicky McFarland as she brings the ancient Irish myth of the Salmon of Knowledge to life through digital projection, interactive storytelling and sensory experiences. Known locally as the "Big Fish," the Salmon of Knowledge was said to be a magical salmon living in the River Boyne. Legend tells that whoever first caught and ate the salmon would gain wisdom beyond all others. Step into this immersive retelling of one of Ireland's best-loved myths, where ancient folklore meets modern technology in a captivating experience for audiences of all ages. Suitable For 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All ages 📖 Traditional Irish storytelling ✨ Interactive & sensory experience 🎥 Digital life projection

As part of the RTÉ 100 celebrations, The Rolling Wave is hosting an audio-visual exhibition at various venues around the country in 2026. This pop-up event will focus on the rich archive of traditional music held by RTÉ as well as recording new music for broadcast in the autumn. Listen to a curated collection of RTÉ Radio's finest archive pieces related to traditional music accompanied by images from the RTÉ photographic collection and the ITMA. Booking not required. This event will be held in the Newspaper Library on the ground floor of Belfast Central.