The Púca Festival is here where you can soak the scintillating surroundings bringing excitement and fervour. It is a Halloween event in County Meath, Ireland, celebrating the Celtic origins of Haloween and Samhain. The festival is named after the púca, a mischievous shapeshifting spirit from Irish folklore. In 2025, the event will take place from October 30 to November 2.
Event details and locations
The festival is centered around the historic towns of Trim and Athboy in Ireland’s Ancient East.
Trim
- Location: The grounds of Trim Castle.
- Events: Trim features a Halloween spectacle with illuminated castle walls, music, fire, and feasting.
- Performances (2025): The lineup for 2025 includes musical acts such as The 2 Johnnies, Groove Armada (DJ set), Block Rockin Beats, and Chasing Abbey.
- Gathering of the Spirits: A procession is planned to honor the festival’s roots.
Athboy
- Location: The Hill of Ward (Tlachtga) and Athboy Fairgreen.
- Events:
- Lighting of the Samhain Fire: A ceremonial fire will be lit on the Hill of Ward.
- Samhain traditions: The festival connects with the authentic Celtic traditions of Samhain.
Additional festival features
- Living History Village: In 2025, both Athboy and Trim will have a village with reenactors demonstrating ancient crafts like blacksmithing, weaving, and bone carving. There will also be Celtic games and combat displays.
- Folklore and storytelling: Traditional storytellers, or seanchaí, share Irish myths and legends.
- Harvest feasts and markets: Attendees can enjoy food inspired by the autumn harvest.
How to attend
- Dates: The 2025 festival is from Thursday, October 30 to Sunday, November 2.
- Tickets: Tickets for the 2025 festival are available through Universe. Some late-night performances under the Big Top have an 18+ age restriction.
- Transportation: Bus services are available from Dublin and other nearby towns, with limited seats, so advance booking is recommended.
- Accommodation: Options ranging from hotels to B&Bs can be found in Trim, Athboy, and surrounding areas. For a full list of options, visit the Púca Festival website.