Púca Festival – where the Hallowe’en story begins

The inaugural festival celebrating Ireland as the home of Hallowe’en will be vibrant and contemporary in feel but strongly rooted in the traditions of the country where Hallowe’en’s traditions all began. 

Taking place from 31 October – 2 November 2019 in three historic towns in two Irish counties, Púca promises an unforgettable celebration of all things unearthly. 

Named after a shape-shifting spirit from Celtic folklore, the festival will capture the original and authentic spirit of Samhain – ‘summer’s end’ in Old Irish. 

Púca will salute the Hallowe’en spirits with atmospheric processions, stunning light installations, established and up-and-coming names in Irish music as well as delectable harvest-inspired food experiences’ 

The festival kicks off in the town of Athboy, County Meath, with The Coming of Samhain (31 October), a recreation of the symbolic lighting of the Samhain fires in the shadow of the heritage site of The Hill of Ward, one of the earliest sites to host Samhain. 

Meanwhile in Trim, also in County Meath, the stunning Trim Castle and its surrounds becomes the spectacular stage for three supernatural nights of music, light and Hallowe’en fun from 31 October. The grounds of the castle will come to life each night with a host of illuminations and interactive interventions – from aerialists and Púca performers to castle projections to laser shows – as well as the Púca Food and Craft Market. 

The castle will also play host to a world-class selection of musicians, including Jerry Fish's Púca Sideshow (31 October), Just Mustard, Pillow Queens and AE MAK (1 November), and Kormac and the Irish Chamber Orchestra (2 November). 

Bringing Drogheda, the third festival hub to life, will be a haunting three-day programme of music, film and light installations. The town will play host to projection artists de:LUX, whose artworks over the three festival nights will draw inspiration from tales of Irish folklore and the spirits of Hallowe’en. 

According to Irish folklore and more recent archaeological evidence, Hallowe’en can be traced back to the ancient Celtic tradition of Samhain. Samhain was a festival marking the end of the Celtic year and the start of a new one. It was believed to be a time of transition, when the spirits of all those who had passed away since the previous Oíche Shamhna (Night of Samhain) moved onto the next life. 

Samhain was the last great gathering before winter, a time of feasting, remembering what had passed and preparing for what was to come. 
Púca Festival will be the ultimate celebration of this time when light turns to dark, the veil between realities draws thin, rules can be broken, and the spirits move between worlds. 

www.ireland.com
www.pucafestival.com