Welcome
'Rab Telling Stories' Illustration by Marina Wild
I am a writer, storyteller, poet, podcaster and comedian living on a hill overlooking Galway Bay. I also teach the craft of storytelling in the University of Galway as well as performing traditional tales in villages and islands in the west of Ireland.
In Galway City, I have been telling stories at my weekly Celtic Tales storytelling show for twenty years. The show has built up a massive local and international following and feature my retelling the folklore, myth, history and urban legends of Ireland and Scotland. The show takes place in the candlelit upper room of the Crane Bar, in the heart of Galway's West End. For times, tickets and reviews of the show see Celtic Tales If you want to come to the show it is best to book your ticket in advance.
In addition to my storytelling, I have been quietly working and playing poetry and prose for some while now. My writing gained more attention with the publication of 'Transformation' in 2012 and 'Galway Bay Folk Tales' in 2013.
This was followed by West of Ireland Folk Tales for Children in 2018. For these last two books I collaborated with illustrator Marina Wild
My short story God and The Brevity - an imaginary piece of folklore from the future - was commissioned for the 2021 short documentary Hidden Collision directed by Emma Zukovic. The documentary has won many accolades and awards, most recently winning 'Best Short Documentary Award' at the Reykjavik Independent Film Festival. I am now developing the story into a novel.
My latest story, The Wicked Woman, will be published early 2026. As with my previous book I wrote it under the pseudonym Letham R. McPaike. The Wicked Woman weaves Irish folklore with legends of the later medieval period to create a ghost story that blends prose with a poetic sensibility.
I am currently collaborating with writer Kerry Graham as co-writer and co-host of The Celtic Tales Chronicles, in which we take a deep dive into some of the strange, weird and troubling aspects of Irish culture, history, myths and society
I am a professional member of the Irish Writers Centre. I am also listed with Poetry Ireland's Writers In Schools Scheme. My children's work includes performing stories and poems. My comedy horror for children, The Bloody Tale of Little Red and Wolfie, was originally performed in The Town Hall Theatre and later recorded for Flirt FM.
This website has more information about my work, information on where to purchase my books, as well review quotes, details about my performance work and links to video clips and interviews.
In Galway City, I have been telling stories at my weekly Celtic Tales storytelling show for twenty years. The show has built up a massive local and international following and feature my retelling the folklore, myth, history and urban legends of Ireland and Scotland. The show takes place in the candlelit upper room of the Crane Bar, in the heart of Galway's West End. For times, tickets and reviews of the show see Celtic Tales If you want to come to the show it is best to book your ticket in advance.
In addition to my storytelling, I have been quietly working and playing poetry and prose for some while now. My writing gained more attention with the publication of 'Transformation' in 2012 and 'Galway Bay Folk Tales' in 2013.
This was followed by West of Ireland Folk Tales for Children in 2018. For these last two books I collaborated with illustrator Marina Wild
My short story God and The Brevity - an imaginary piece of folklore from the future - was commissioned for the 2021 short documentary Hidden Collision directed by Emma Zukovic. The documentary has won many accolades and awards, most recently winning 'Best Short Documentary Award' at the Reykjavik Independent Film Festival. I am now developing the story into a novel.
My latest story, The Wicked Woman, will be published early 2026. As with my previous book I wrote it under the pseudonym Letham R. McPaike. The Wicked Woman weaves Irish folklore with legends of the later medieval period to create a ghost story that blends prose with a poetic sensibility.
I am currently collaborating with writer Kerry Graham as co-writer and co-host of The Celtic Tales Chronicles, in which we take a deep dive into some of the strange, weird and troubling aspects of Irish culture, history, myths and society
I am a professional member of the Irish Writers Centre. I am also listed with Poetry Ireland's Writers In Schools Scheme. My children's work includes performing stories and poems. My comedy horror for children, The Bloody Tale of Little Red and Wolfie, was originally performed in The Town Hall Theatre and later recorded for Flirt FM.
This website has more information about my work, information on where to purchase my books, as well review quotes, details about my performance work and links to video clips and interviews.