The Magic of Stories Returns to Swords Castle: Fingal's Festival of Children's Literature Celebrates Its Fifth Year
Fingal County Council Libraries is delighted to announce the return of The Magic of Stories, Fingal's festival of children's literature for 2026. This year, the highly anticipated festival celebrates its fifth birthday and promises to be a day filled with fun and celebration.
Homegrown talent is central to the stellar lineup. Over the years, The Magic of Stories has introduced attendees to sparkling newcomers in the world of Irish children's books as well as showcasing award-winning authors and illustrators – and several Laureates na nÓg.
Like all Fingal Libraries events, The Magic of Stories is completely free. Children can meet their literary heroes, get creative at one of the many art activities, find a new favourite book and much more, all without any financial barriers.
The festival will feature events across the Little Library Tent, The Chapel, The Story Tent, the Tall-Tales Tent, and the Creative Zone. The mechanical puppet theatre returns with a fantastic new performance, River Crossing, and Long-Legs Sheila, a family-friendly live performance, will be touching down in the Castle to search out fish, frolics and fun with travelling birdwatchers extraordinaire, Pierre & Éclair.
Meet an exciting lineup of children’s authors and illustrators, including current Laureate na nÓg Chris Haughton, Mayhem and Mystery author Kevin Moran, acclaimed illustrator PJ Lynch, Millie McCarthy illustrator Karen Harte, and authors Alison Weatherby and Brían Dungan. In the Story Tent, visitors can also meet Sarah Sparkles, Margaret-Anne Suggs, Peter Donnelly, Neil Sharpson, and April Suddendorf.
It doesn't end there. Ringmaster Alan Nolan will take control of the Tall-Tales Tent with events featuring Niamh Donnellan & Brian Fitzgerald, Úna Woods & Sinead O'Hart, Dave Rudden and more.
Visit the Book Doctors from Children’s Books Ireland offering one-to-one reading recommendations, chill out in The Quiet Zone, or check out the newly discovered secret space, Dany's Den, where the brilliant Balor Otherworld will be telling legendary stories that bring myths and history to life! Keep your eye out for our very own Magic of Stories artist Tarsila who will be roving around the festival and capturing the epic events through her drawings.
The Little Library Tent will host 'Paint a Pal' with illustrators Niamh Sharkey and Jennifer Farley. Learn a few words of Irish from the ‘Cup of Focals' with Áine Gallagher or just come along and say hello to our friendly Fingal Libraries staff and find out how to join the library if you aren't a member already.
Fingal County Council Mayor, Cllr Tony Murphy said, "Swords Castle will light up this September with the return of The Magic of Stories Festival. Fingal Libraries are dedicated to creating a space where kids of all ages can engage in literature and meet their favourite authors completely free of charge."
Fingal Chief Executive AnnMarie Farrelly added "The Magic of Stories Festival is a key part of Fingal Libraries’ commitment to ensuring all children—regardless of background—have access to books, learning, and creative experiences. This special family day at Swords Castle, now in its fifth year, is a celebration of storytelling that will inspire a lifelong love of reading in everyone who attends."
