FOUNDER OF SNEEM Storytelling Festival, Batt Burns, has died.

Mr Burns, who has been described as a “major figure” in South Kerry traditional culture and the storytelling community, died in the care of the staff of St Anne’s Community Hospital, Cahersiveen, Co Kerry. 

The late Seanchaí and Kerry man founded Sneem Storytelling Festival in 2011 and was passionate about keeping the storytelling tradition alive.

He is survived by his children Pádraig, Liam, Bartley and Killian, grandchildren Aisling, Laoise, Robert, Daniel, Ella, Macdara, Aoibhe, Máire, Lughan and Art, daughters-in-law Jennifer, Niamh and Louise, brothers Paddy Joe, Johnny, Jim, sisters Kathleen, Margaret, Eileen and Mary, as well as extended family, relatives and friends.

Aisling Burns with her grandfather the late Batt Burns (centre) and uncle Killian Burns, all of whom performed at the Sneem International Storytelling & Folklore Festival in Sneem, Co Kerry in 2019. Susan Baughman Susan Baughman

Organisers of Sneem Storytelling Festival said: “It goes without saying that all of us involved with the festival are deeply saddened and we can only send our heartfelt condolences to Batt’s family and many friends. Rest in peace Batt we will miss you.”

“He was a major figure in South Kerry traditional culture and, indeed, the entire storytelling community.”

Jimmy Deenihan, who was arts minister when the storytelling festival began, described Mr Burns as an “extraordinary man”. 

“He’s an extraordinary man in so many different ways. He was an excellent teacher, and he was loved by all his pupils,” he said on Radio Kerry.

“Then he became an international storyteller, and he kept that great storytelling tradition of Kerry very much alive.”

The funeral is due to take place at St Michael’s Church, Sneem at 10.30am on Saturday morning.