Commendation for Pucas and Potions festival

Halloween was celebrated early last week as Meath County Council received a commendation for its Pucas and Potions festival at the Chamber Ireland awards in Dublin. Representing the council at the awards were leas-cathaoirleach, Cllr Shane Cassells, and arts officers Gerardette Bailey and Cathy Martin. The awards ceremony, which recognises excellence in local government, was held in the Burlington Hotel last Thursday night and Meath County Council was shortlisted under the Festival of the Year section. While the Christmas on the Grand Parade in Cork City won the main award, the Meath entry received a commendation for its festival, which is only in its second year of existence. The Pucas and Potions festival is a free event that encourages children of all ages to explore and enjoy creativity through workshops, entertainment and an unusual treasure hunt. The aim of the festival is to enable children and their families to celebrate the ancient Irish tradition of Samhain in Meath, where Halloween began, while also increasing participation in the arts activities across all sectors of the community.