Here’s everything you need to know about Púca Festival 2019

Brought to you by Discover Ireland

This traditional festival of music, visuals and food celebrates light turning to dark

In ancient Irish folklore, Halloween is the time when the veil between realities draws thin, rules can be broken, and the spirits move between worlds. This is celebrated at Púca Festival, a spectacular festival of music and light. It's going to be three breathtaking nights of Halloween music, harvest-inspired food, and spectacle. They’ll be taking place across some of the best locations in the country from 31 October - 2 November. Plan your trip now to Athboy, Trim and Drogheda.

Púca Festival Schedule

Things will kick off on all hallow’s eve with events across all three festival hubs. Starting at 5pm, Athboy’s ‘Coming of Samhain’ event will be free and looks amazing. The Hill of Ward (Tlachtga) in Athboy has been linked to the Samhain festival for generations as it’s the place from which the light of the new year first emanates. A modern twist on the historical procession will take place in the shadow of this heritage site. On that same night, Trim Castle will come alive with lots of deadly events. At 6pm the first lighting of the Samhain fires will take place, drawing on traditions from long ago. These will ward off the dark spirits that come alive after dark. From that point onwards, exhibitions will start across the grounds, including moving image work, light displays and flames.

Jerry Fish will close the night by resurrecting his hugely popular Electric Sideshow. Expect anything from circus and cabaret to music and mischief. However, if you choose to spend Halloween night in Drogheda instead, you can expect a unique re-telling of Irish myth Shadows of the Táin- followed by audio visual installation de:LUX. Over the next two days, highlights include Pillow Queens and KORMAC appearing at Trim castle as audiovisual treats, illuminations and interactive illuminations continue. Drogheda will host Lisa O’Neill and Häxan, with some cool exhibits too. See the full schedule here.

Things to do in Púca Festival Locations

Why not make a little Halloween weekend away out of it? When you’re not living it up at the festivities, there’s lots to do in Athboy, Drogheda and Trim Castle. Athboy’s Darnley Lodge hotel is in the centre of the Boyne Valley Drive. The ancient buildings scattered around the gardens are the perfect backdrop for a stay to ignite the imagination. Location wise, it’s ideal if you want to visit Newgrange, the Hill of Tara or Boyne Valley too. The D Hotel in Drogheda is a hot spot in the town, right in the middle of all the pubs and clubs. It’s just a stone's throw away from more places where you can continue the Halloween history fun, like the 5,000 year old burial ground Brú na Bóinne. If that helps you work up an appetite, there’s lots of lovely dinner spots in Drogheda. Check out Fifty 4 Seafood Bar. They specialise in seafood dishes with a modern twist. Their Seafood burger sounds delicious!

Finally, if you chose Trim on a whim, don’t worry- there’s no shortage of activities there either. First of all, why not stay right in the middle of the Púca action? Trim castle is also a luxury hotel, one that’s family owned and well known for its atmosphere. If one night of mischief is enough for you, maybe Knightsbrook is the right place to book. It has a golf resort and spa, so you can relax after all the excitement. Don’t miss you chance to take an autumnal walk along the Boyne and to check out the ruins of sites like Bective Abbey and St. Mary’s Abbey. Top it all off with a steak dinner in the Stockhouse Restaurant for the complete Trim experience. Visit the Discover Ireland website here

Brought to you by Discover Ireland

life

Here’s everything you need to know about Púca Festival 2019

This traditional festival of music, visuals and food celebrates light turning to dark

Púca Festival Schedule

Things to do in Púca Festival Locations

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