Clodagh Finn: Let’s repeat the ‘storytelling census’ of the 1930s

The State should take inspiration from Ruth Medjber's 365-day 'Sin Scéal Eile' project and revive the Irish Folklore Commission's schools' collection now hosted on duchas.ie

‘I was reminded of the Schools’ Collection again this week with news that photographer Ruth Medjber is setting off on a 365-day tour of Ireland in a project called Sin Scéal Eile.’ Self portrait by Ruth Medjber

Sat, 03 Jan, 2026 - 01:58

Clodagh Finn

Clodagh Finn is a journalist, writer and collector of stories. Her recent book, The Irish in the Resistance, co-authored with John Morgan, shines a light on the forgotten contributions of the Irish who resisted Hitler during WW2.

Before suggesting we repeat it, I might first remind readers what the Schools’ Collection was because, sadly, this treasure trove of legends and wonder tales is not anywhere near as well-known as it deserves to be.

First, a warning: If you click on www.dúchas.ie, which holds some of the 750,000 pages of local history and oral tradition collected nearly a century ago, you might not emerge again until St Brigid’s Day.