In the age of Twitter, texting and instant communications it seems that people still love to sit down and listen to others tell stories in the old-fashioned way.

The ancient art of spinning yarns and tall tales will be celebrated in Sneem, Co Kerry, at the weekend.

The Twisted Tunnels (A&C Black; €5.92) is the latest of Terry Deary’s fascinating Victorian Tales series, which blend reality and fiction in an entertaining package.

Storytellers were today practising one of the country’s oldest arts by spinning yarns to children and GAA football supporters on trains heading into Dublin.

Neans McSweeney, South East Correspondent