Festival goers and fans of folklore are in for an otherworldly treat this Halloween as Púca Festival returns to County Meath in Ireland’s Ancient East.
Púca Festival (27–31 October) is an invitation to enjoy music, myth, food, folklore, fire, feasting and merriment in the country where Halloween began.
An authentic, immersive and fun festival that is contemporary in feel but strongly rooted in tradition, Púca will take place in two County Meath towns – Trim and Athboy – in the historic Boyne Valley.
The festival will showcase the best in contemporary Irish music, spectacle, and performance over four days and five nights to tell the story of Samhain or ‘Summer’s End’.
In Celtic traditions Samhain marks the end of the harvest season, when all the crops have been picked and stored for the New Year. This was historically a time of celebration, involving gathering, lighting fires, feasting, music and storytelling. It was believed that at this time the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is at its thinnest and the creatures of Samhain, Ireland’s ancient Halloween tradition, come to life.
The festival is named after a shape-shifting character from Celtic folklore, Púca (pronounced poo-kuh), that appears at ancient new year to roam the night and change the fortunes of those that cross it.
The festival’s colourful opening procession will take place in the heritage town of Trim, known for its medieval castle. It will blend outdoor theatre, street performance and music in a wild celebration of Samhain lore, nature, ancestry and the looming darkness.
Athboy, an important hub of Halloween tradition with ancient manuscripts recounting that The Hill of Ward was a site of great Samhain gatherings, will host the ceremonial fire and closing ceremony.
In between there will be performances by a host of high-profile musicians and comedians as well as all manner of mischief.
Music acts will include The Charlatans, The Waterboys, Damien Dempsey, Hot House Flowers, Sharon Shannon, Jack Lukeman, Mack Fleetwood, The High Kings, Ennio Morricone Experience and Davina Devine Drag Show.
Reginald D Hunter, Jason Byrne, Tony Cantwell and Emma Doran will be among the comedy headliners keeping the crowds smiling, and storytelling and folklore will be brought to life in Candlelit Tales. Daily circus acts will perform jaw-dropping acrobatic feats with an Irish twist.
There will also be tours of The Hill of Ward and A Púca Trail will go in search of the mischievous shape-shifting spirits.
Púca Festival also embraces the enormous wealth and quality of local produce, which will be presented at the Harvest Market. There will opportunities to taste barm brack, colcannon and baked apples among many other traditional treats.
