Returning to Co. Meath from Friday 27th to Tuesday the 31st October 2023 across festival hubs Trim and Athboy, Púca 2023 is an authentic, immersive and otherworldly festival, developed by Fáilte Ireland in partnership with Meath County Council, to celebrate Ireland as the birthplace of Halloween. When light turns to dark and the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead thins, the creatures of Samhain, Ireland’s ancient Halloween tradition, come to life.
Events
There really is something for everyone at Púca Festival 2023. This year features some of the most amazing talent in music, comedy and performance, including The Charlatans, The Waterboys, Damien Dempsey, Macy Gray, comedic genius such as Jason Byrne, Reginald D Hunter and Emma Doran, as well as fascinating tour, talks and workshops.
One of the highlights of this years festival will be the opening procession, ‘Samhain Night Between The Years,’ in Trim on Saturday, 28th October 2023 at 6.30pm. Immerse yourself in street performance with local traditional Irish music, celebrating the mystical world of Samhain. After the procession, continue the festivities at the Barbican Gate of Trim Castle with ‘A Story of Samhain’ and a mesmerizing fire display by the Pyro Collective.
As Púca Festival 2023 comes to an end, Athboy, steeped in Halloween tradition, invites you to gather at the Fair Green for the spectacular ‘An Lasadh Suas` ( The Lighting ) closing ceremony on Tuesday, 31st October 2023, at 5.15pm.
In this symbolic event, a procession led by a master of ceremonies will carry the Tlachtga flame, igniting fire sculptures representing Tara, Loughcrew, Tailteann, and Uisneach. Each landscape’s story will be shared, culminating in the lighting of ‘An Lasadh Suas,’ (The Lighting ) setting light to your thoughtful messages, symbolizing ancestral connections to help guide us through this winter.
Members Events
An Gobha
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.
Walk with Tlachtga
Fiona Dalton is a qualified tour guide and actress who will be your guide on this tour – where she brings alive the character of Tlachtga, the Celtic Goddess of Samhain to give you the most wonderful cultural and heritage experience by bringing you on a wonderful interactive journey around this ancient heritage town, taking in all its vibrant and colourful history. Find out more here.
Spirits of Meath Halloween Festival
During your visit for Púca, don’t forget to check out all the amazing events happening for the Spirits of Meath Festival 2023. There is fun by day and frights by night! Find out more here.
Samhain Festival of Food and Culture
Happening from the 2nd to the 5th of November, Samhain will be showcasing the very best of Boyne Valley Flavours. This family-friendly festival comprises a wide variety of events, from food and drinks tastings, cookery demos, and cocktail masterclasses, to food safaris, farm visits, kids workshops, and panel discussions with some of the biggest names in Irish food. Find out more here.
Púca festival Oíche Shámhna Experience at the Hot Box Sauna
Experience Irish Folklore, sound baths, and the contrast of the heat of the sauna with a dip in the Boyne! This is going to be a very special event at the Hot Box Sauna at Bective Mill.
Lú Festival of Light
Make your way to the heritage town of Drogheda to watch a magical mix of lights, colour and sound as some of the historic buildings and stories of yesteryear are brought to life in an amazing display of urban animation with Lú Festival of Light Drogheda. ‘Lú Festival of Light Drogheda will run over two long weekends, 27th – 31st of October and 2nd – 4th of November, and will shine a light on the myths and legends from our shared mythological past. Find out more here.
Farmaphobia
Farmaphobia is back in 2023 to offer a terrifying Halloween experience at Causey Farm in Co. Meath. The experience delivers a fully immersive and frightfully scary night full of all kinds of haunts and scares to thrilled visitors who dare to try it! Find out more here.
Its shaping up to be an amazing Halloween in the Boyne Valley with the Púca Festival. On their website, you will find a list of transport options as well as all the tickets sales and other important information. See you at the home of Halloween in 2023!
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