Michael Fortune is an artist, educator and folklorist from rural County Wexford. For over two decades he has documented Ireland’s folklore, oral traditions and everyday culture, creating an extensive archive of stories, customs and beliefs collected directly from communities across the country. His work bridges traditional and contemporary culture through film, social engagement, education and digital media. Michael has collaborated with national cultural institutions including the National Museum of Ireland, the National Library of Ireland and the Irish Traditional Music Archive, and is widely recognised as the leading light preserving, recording and promoting Ireland’s living heritage. He continues to work in education while producing publications and oral history collections around Ireland. 

The late Manchán Magan said “there have only been a few true pioneers in the field of folklore collection in Ireland — guardians, sacred recorders of our lore — who have collected and documented the treasures of folk tradition, and without doubt, Michael Fortune is one of them. In years to come, he will be regarded as Ireland’s Alan Lomax.”