Check out the Sm(All) Folk Festival 2026 Programme below,
Purchase tickets here!
Sm(All) Folk
A festival for everybody
Sm(All) Folk Festival returns to Axis (March 2026) with a joyful programme of theatre created especially for children and young audiences. Packed with playful, imaginative and engaging performances, the festival celebrates big ideas for small people.
Sm(All) Folk is about opening the doors wide – offering welcoming, accessible and affordable shows so that children of all backgrounds and abilities can experience the magic of live theatre and the spark of imagination.
Public Programming 2026
Hip Hop, Hip Hopping into Stories
‘Hip Hop, Hip Hopping into Stories’ with talking animals, adventures and magic. Storyteller Joe Brennan will delight and intrigue his audiences with stories from Ireland and beyond. Be prepared to have fun and play your part in the telling of some stories.
Joe has been delighting audiences for over 25 years with his traditional and original stories. He is the author of ‘Donegal Folk Tales’, the creator of ‘Star Boy’(a nonverbal show of 3+) and a children’s playwright.
Date: Tuesday 3 March; 11.10AM, 12PM
Tickets: Free
Ages: Family
Photo from Toddler Takeover event, Draíocht Blanchardstown
Captain Splash Magic Show
Arrrrrrrr you ready to set sail for fun and imagination?! This pirate magic show is about believing in your dreams and doing what you love. Gasp at amazing sword magic, laugh as wands go crazy, and smile during a trip through the Bermuda Triangle of Terror. An amazing voyage where everyone becomes part of the crew and leaves with a bit of magic. Meet Squawk the parrot, Sam the Clam, and Naughty Narwhal, in this heartwarming tale about the magic that happens when you believe.
A wild, water filled, wonderful show that the whole family will treasure.
Written and performed by "Ireland's Greatest Showman", Jeff Keough. Jeff has performed at The White House, toured with Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey's "Greatest show on Earth", and is the creator of the hit show "Jackula". Jeff has entertained over 11 million people, survived a tiger escaping backstage, and clowned on national television in the USA.
Date: Saturday 7 March, 11AM
Tickets: €5
Ages: Family
Irish Baroque Orchestra: Cushions Concert
Join Catherine and a mystery musician from the IBO, Ireland's time-travelling orchestra, as the ever-popular Cushion Concerts arrive at Axis!
In this Cushion Concert we'll discover our magic hands, and use them to conjure sounds! There will be plenty of singing, clapping, dancing, and maybe even some conducting...
Bring along a cushion, and don't forget to bring your ears!
Date: Thursday 5 March; 10AM, 12PM
Tickets: Free
Ages: 6-24 months
The Story Dome: Sensory Storytime for Babies
Time for a storytelling experience like no other. Enter Tale Time's Story Dome and step into the story. With story scenes projected around you, characters coming alive on the walls and plenty of sensory and participation, the Story Dome brings you all the heart of traditional storytelling with all the wow factor of digital technology.
Join Vicky inside the Story Dome for a special Sensory Storytime for Babies and Tots. This will be a relaxed and fun session for babies or tots and their grownups, with plenty to touch, feel, see and hear, we will go on a story journey together before enjoying a short free play session.
Date: Friday 13 March; 9.30, 10.15, 11, 11.45AM
Tickets: Free
Ages: 0-2
The Story Dome: The Salmon of Knowledge
Time for a storytelling experience like no other. Enter Tale Time's Story Dome and step into the story. With story scenes projected around you, characters coming alive on the walls and plenty of sensory and participation, the Story Dome brings you all the heart of traditional storytelling with all the wow factor of digital technology.
Enter into a world of myth and legend. Join Vicky as she brings to life the tale of Fionn Mac Cumhaill's legendary encounter with the Salmon of Knowledge.
Date: Saturday 14 March; 10AM-15.45PM
Tickets: €2 individual, €5 family
Ages: 6+ and family
The Witch Who Couldn’t Sleep
A "Story Time" family musical from the creators of There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly and A Big Egg.
Being a witch is super exciting. There's always so much to do and so much fun to be had - especially during the holidays! And maybe that's why Natascha The Witch can't sleep... Can anyone, or anything, help her drift off?
Based on a story from Steven Lee's best selling "How The Koala Learnt To Hug and Other Australian Fairytales" this gentle, heartwarming show is just what you need to enjoy a cosy, cuddly time together with your family. Children get to join in, shout out, and help shape the story as it unfolds.
So pop on your favourite pyjamas and come join us for this enchanting sing-along musical presented with a magical mixture of live action, music and animation. Perfect for ages 3 - 103!
Date: Friday 27 March; 12PM
Tickets: €9.50 child, €15 adult
Ages: Family
Private Programming 2026
Jess Rowell: Sensory Dance
An interactive movement workshop designed for children & young people with additional needs and their caregivers. Led by inclusive dance artist Jess Rowell, this playful and responsive journey creates space for curiosity and connection. Join the adventure and be transported to a magical realm where dance ,colourful props, scents, and spacey sounds enhance the sensory experience. Participants are invited to explore and engage in their own unique way. Let the cosmic adventure begin!
The Shell Whisperer
The Shell Whisperer is a gorgeous new performance for children aged 4+ about the ocean, the promises we can make to keep it clean and our relationship with the Sea Goddess as she asks us for help.
Child participation and child-led storytelling are central to Cliodhna Noonan's work as an early years performer. Children are invited to create sea creatures on the fabrics that make the set, then listen to the story, then play with some light and shadow puppets of the ocean themselves. Science and creativity combine in this 45 min experience for all children aged 4+.
Ceol Connected: SongTales sa Spéir Mobile Music Van
Get ready for a high energy performance filled with original music, singalong songs, and interactive fun! Featuring some of Ireland's finest musicians, Song Tales sa Spéir is designed to captivate children and families alike. From foot-tapping tunes to enchanting tales, this is a show that leaves everyone smiling and singing along.
Since its debut in 2021, Song Tales sa Spéir has delighted thousands of children across Ireland, with performances at events including Ruaille Buaille Children's Music Festival, Kaleidoscope, West Wicklow Music Festival, Tradoodle Festival, Smithfield Fleadh, Five Lamps Arts Festival, Towers and Tales Festival, The Lark Concert Hall, the National Concert Hall, to name but a few.
Sadhbh Devlin: Oíche Mhaith, a Ghrá
Cinema: Flow [2024]
Acclaimed animated film Flow is set in a flooded fantasy world, where humans are seemingly absent. One cat has survived by sleeping in an abandoned house and narrowly escaping dog attacks. When a massive tsunami hits and floods the house, the cat finds shelter on a passing boat occupied only by a capybara. Several other animals-including a friendly Labrador and nervous lemur-soon join the boat. The animals find themselves on a dramatic, perilous adventure as they drift towards a mysterious tower. Flow was the well-deserved winner of Best Animated Feature at the 2025 Academy Awards. Unfolding without any dialogue, this is a beautiful and exciting fantasy-adventure film that will bewitch children and adults alike.
Story Dome: A Tizzy Kind of a Day
Time for a storytelling experience like no other. Enter Tale Time's Story Dome and step into the story. With story scenes projected around you, characters coming alive on the walls and plenty of sensory and participation, the Story Dome brings you all the heart of traditional storytelling with all the wow factor of digital technology.
A story of wellbeing and friendship. Poor old Heathcliffe is having A Tizzy Kind of a Day. But luckily his friend Wilbur is there to help. Join Vicky and Wilbur as they go on a journey to help Heathcliffe get over his Tizzy Kind of a day.
If You Go Down to the Woods
Come down to the woods with the WhistleBlast Quartet and join us for a woodland adventure featuring some familiar characters and well-loved pieces from classical music. Originally sold out in the Quartet’s NCH Family Series! The Quartet’s own Red Riding Hood fun filled story, Hansel and Gretel and Peter and the Wolf will all appear; but watch out for the Trolls from the Hall of the Mountain King!
See how music brings images and stories alive, with lots of opportunity for participation and interaction in this engaging concert for all the family. Suitable for young folk and their families.
Trolland
A magical puppet adventure for ages 3-6.
The King of Trolland feels it is time to pass the crown. Who will be the next King? Meet the trolls who want to be chosen, and find out who wins the leadership race...
Create the trolls of trolland and tell us which family they belong to? The focus of the workshop for very young children is storytelling, puppet-making and developing a voice to have your idea heard!
Early Years Network for the Arts: Annual Gathering
Connect. Inspire. Contribute.
Join EYNA founding members Cliodhna Noonan and Heather Rose for a productive day of networking and exchanging expertise as we discuss the places and spaces where early years work is happening.
We will enjoy a conversation with members of Small size, the EU international network for performing arts for the early years, watch an experienced early years storyteller, and attend practical workshops. And of course there will be time to hear from our members about what is on your minds, and what you'd like to bring to the table.
Your ticket includes tea/coffee on arrival, and a light lunch.