Get ready to experience Halloween like never before at the Púca Festival, on from October 31st to November 3rd! Celebrating the roots of spooky season, Púca brings Ireland’s Samhain traditions to life with jaw-dropping fire shows, live music, and eerie storytelling in some of the country’s most magical spots.
If you’re up for a celebration filled with myth, mystery, and a whole lot of fun, this is the place to be. Here’s what’s on!
The Púca Procession
Four supernatural nights of music, comedy, and Halloween spectacle await you in the historic town of Trim and its magnificent castle grounds, all free to attend and open to the public. The highlight? The Púca Procession – The Gathering of the Spirits on Saturday, November 2nd.
This free, public procession will weave together outdoor theatre, street performance, and traditional music in a wild celebration of Samhain lore, nature, ancestry, and the looming darkness. As the veil between worlds thins, be prepared to witness shape-shifting spirits and otherworldly creatures emerging to join the revelry this year!
The procession will transport you into a world where tradition meets creativity, telling the age-old story of the veil between worlds in a new way. A live traditional Irish music score will bring the procession to life, featuring the talents of local Meath musicians, sean-nós singers, ancient horns, and a chorus of singers.
Come dressed in a disguise of nature foraged locally and bring along a hag stone (a stone with naturally occurring holes) to safely see who is Púca and who is not. Following this spellbinding procession, the celebration continues at Trim Castle, where the ever-popular Pyro Collective will light up the night with a breathtaking fire display.
Lighting of the Samhain Fire
The town of Athboy is steeped in the ancient traditions of Samhain, with historical records pointing to Tlachtga, or the Hill of Ward, as a significant gathering place during this time. On the eve of Halloween, Thursday, October 31st, as the sun dips below the horizon, the Fair Green in Athboy will come alive with the ceremonial lighting of the Samhain Fire. This is a public event and tickets are not required.
This powerful ritual serves to honour ancestors and bridge the gap between the physical and spiritual worlds. The flames will symbolically link the landscapes of Tlachtga, Tara, Loughcrew, Tailteann, and Uisneach, carrying messages to those who have passed before us.
Starting at 5:15pm (subject to change), the ignited fire will signal the beginning of a night of music and celebration, featuring captivating performances by the renowned Irish band Kíla and the fire artistry of the Pryo Collective. Their performances will add to the vibrant energy of the night, creating an unforgettable experience for all. Join the community of Athboy as they embrace the spirit of Samhain, celebrating their heritage and the power of tradition.
The Púca Harvest Market
Here, you can explore the art of wood sculpting, discover the secrets of Neolithic bread making, or indulge in the age-old pastime of board games. From learning about archaeology to intricate willow sculpture, the Harvest Market is like a portal!
Déise Medieval Village
Come and explore how our ancestors from over 2000 years ago survived the cold winter nights that followed Samhain. Learn how they cooked and the foods that they ate.
Spinning & Weaving
From a sheep in the field to the clothes on your back, the story of everyday work with wool. Spinning, dyeing and sophisticated weaving made the Irish Celt’s renowned as a well-dressed people.
Samhain Festival Food
What did our ancestors eat at the Samhain Festival? Our food display shows a typical Samhain feast in Ireland featuring seasonal foods such as fruits, nuts, grains and meat from the ever-popular homely pig. Learn about the old tradition of leaving out a plate of colcannon to feed those from the underworld who were wandering the earth on all hallows night or peel an apple to find your future partner!
Cooking Display
Púca’s resident homemaker will keep the fires burning and keep the cold out of the whole village with a hearty meal made from authentic ingredients and cooked in the traditional way over an open fire.
Boardgame & Pastime Display
There is no Netflix or XBox…what to do? Play Bran Dubh, an ancient and popular board game something akin to draughts or try your hand at the original version of skittles called Kubb.
Health & Hygiene
Not for the faint hearted! The ancient Irish lived a hard and risky life, failing to dodge a sword or plough would mean a visit to the local healer…. Sometimes it might be best to let nature take its course.
Wandering Wise Woman
Talk with our wise woman on how she took care of the people of the village when they were ill using herbs and homemade remedies.
Arrow Making & Fletching
Used for hunting and warfare, the bow and arrow have a long history. Different arrowheads have different uses, and to this day the Longbow is still considered a formidable weapon.
Ancient Bread Making
Join us at our Ancient Irish bread making workshop. How did we make bread before we could just pop to the shops to buy some? A workshop to join in making neolithic bread – thrashing the grain, milling, kneading dough and baking on a raised oven. This workshop is interpretively guided by historical records and artefacts.
An Gobha Pendant Workshop
Learn how to hand-craft pieces from the forge of Tom King, ‘An Gobha’, or shop some of the pieces made at his forge in the heart of the Boyne Valley. These creations are all hand-made from mild black steel.
The Big Dig
The School of Irish Archaeology (SIA) is proud to introduce their finest product ‘The Big Dig’. This unique hands-on and fun event is a workshop excavation designed for children aged 5-12 years and allows them to explore the past world through a simulated and controlled archaeological dig.
‘The Big Dig’ excavation offers children an opportunity to experience what it is like to be an archaeologist by learning how to excavate the remains of an ancient house. During their dig for treasures and artefacts, they also learn about the lifestyles of their ancestors, guided by our team of professional working archaeologists. The engaged and knowledgeable staff will demonstrate and explain how the objects uncovered during the dig were used in day-to-day life. We ensure this educational experience won’t leave children disappointed. In fact, we guarantee they will leave wanting to know even more about our ancient ancestors and the work of archaeologists!
Irish Wood Sculpting with Joey Burns
Joey Burns has been carving and sculpting wood since 1988. His work has been greatly inspired by the Irish landscape and is association with history and mythology. Learn about wood sculpting and watch Joey create a beautiful sculpture designed especially for the Púca Festival!
Willow workshop with Lynn Kirkham
The Green Mantle Experience – a hands-on workshop, led by a master willow artist Lynn Kirkham, offers participants the opportunity to learn the art of willow sculpting. Fostering a sense of artistic expression and ecological appreciation within our community.
Live Music & Entertainment
There will be musical performances by top stars like Leftfield (DJ set), Jenny Greene, Gavin James, Kingfishr, Bell X1, The High Kings, Dermot Whelan, and many more.
Púca Festival Fidchell Champion of 2024
In ancient times the Aonach was held at Samhain at Tlachtga (The Hill of Ward), Co. Meath. During this time, Fidchell was played by local kings to settle disputes. The centre area of the board represents the fifth province, as there was in Ireland in ancient times – Meath, the ruling home of the high king at the Hill of Tara in the Kingdom of Midhe.
Chess, draughts and game enthusiasts, come join us during the four days of Trim Harvest Market where we will be exhibiting and teaching the ancient Celt game of Fidchell. A game of logistics to play with challenging fun or to discover the numerous layers of skill involved in mastery!
Learn to play this ancient Irish board game played by the high kings of Ireland themselves – do you have what it takes to be Púca Festival Fidchell champion of 2024?
Additional Information & Tickets
The Púca Festival will take place from October 31st to November 3rd, bringing Halloween spirit to life across three main locations in Ireland:
- Trim, County Meath: Home to one of Ireland’s largest and most famous Norman castles, this town is a focal point for the festival.
- Athboy, County Meath: A place deeply connected to the ancient Samhain rituals, Athboy’s Hill of Ward is where the Celtic new year was once celebrated.
- Drogheda, County Louth: With its mix of history and modernity, Drogheda is another key location for festival events.
There’s a variety of events, and many are free to attend! However, some of the larger shows, tours, and banquets require tickets. Here’s a general breakdown:
- General Admission: Free entry to many of the street performances, light installations, and markets.
- Ticketed Events: Prices range from €10 to €50, depending on the event. For example, guided tours and fire shows generally start at around €15, while certain music acts can cost upwards of €50.
Be sure to book early, as many events have limited capacity! You can purchase tickets directly through the Púca Festival website and keep an eye on any updates regarding new events or availability.
