Athboy and Trim focus of Púca for Halloween 2022

The line-up for this year's Halloween Púca Festival was announced at a launch in Dublin last week by the Minister for Tourism, Culture, and Arts, Catherine Martin.

Celebrating Meath as the birthplace of Halloween, Púca Festival returns to Athboy and Trim, promising to bring spectacle, storytelling, music, mischief, comedy, and feasting between 28th and 31st October.

Working with Irish artists, seanchaí storytellers, and the local community, Púca will feature a dazzling selection of experiences and performances over three days and four nights in Ireland’s Ancient East, according to Minister Martin.

The line-up includes The Academic, Imelda May, Gavin James, Sharon Shannon, Kíla and Seo Linn, joining the previously announced King Kong Company, Block Rockin’ Beats, Lisa Hannigan, Jerry Fish Electric Sideshow Cabaret, Blindboy, Joanne McNally, Neil Delamere, David O’Doherty, and Jason Byrne.

Developed by Fáilte Ireland in partnership with Meath County Council, to tell the origin story of Samhain or ‘Summer’s End’, Púca is intended to encourage more international visitors to visit Ireland during October and November, and to encourage domestic visitors to explore different regions of Ireland. Halloween is said to have originated at Tlachgta, on the Hill of Ward, Athboy.

Minister Martin said: “As we emerge from the impact of COVID-19, we know the tourism and hospitality industry has a key part to play in Ireland’s economic recovery. Immersive festivals play an important role in delivering brilliant visitor experiences, giving domestic and overseas visitors a unique opportunity to experience the very best of our culture, people and places. Halloween is a globally recognised holiday and Fáilte Ireland’s Púca festival is an excellent opportunity to promote Ireland as the place where it all began. I am pleased to officially launch the programme for Púca 2022 which will encourage visitors from around Ireland and the world to visit Meath, stay, explore and celebrate our ancient Samhain traditions.”

The festival ceremonies officially commence with the Arrival of the Spirits Samhain Procession on Saturday 29th October through the eerie dark streets of Trim, making its way to Trim Castle where the entertainment continues. The illuminated procession will be a sight to behold with large-scale processional pieces, music, fire, and performances. Spectators are invited to celebrate the Samhain Spirits and create their own masks, with dressing up highly encouraged.

The Púca Big Top Stage in Trim will host high-profile headline acts each night including Imelda May, Gavin James, The Academic, King Kong Company and Block Rockin Beats, Lisa Hannigan and Cathy Davey.

Comedy stages are set to host a stellar line up of comedy favourites such as David O’Doherty, Joanne McNally, Neil Delamere and Jason Byrne.

The Morrigan Stage at Trim Castle Hotel will feature the Blindboy Live Podcast Show, Jerry Fish Electric Sideshow, Davina Devine – The Queens of Halloween Spooktacular with Mother DJs, and a late-night party at the Púca Festival Club.

The Darnley Lodge Hotel Athboy will host live performances from The High Kings and the Dublin City Ramblers 50th Anniversary Celebration Tour

At Trim Castle, the Boann Stage will feature free ticketed events with the talented Sharon Shannon, Seo Linn, and much moreDriven by a passion for folklore and mythology, Candlelit Tales at the Morrigan Stage in Trim Castle Hotel will be breathing life into old stories, for young and old, in keeping with Ireland’s wonderful storytelling heritage.

Food lovers will rejoice at the Jack O’Lantern Harvest Market taking place in Trim Castle across the weekend. Attendees can expect to discover a showcase of local producers offering up tasty treats and creepy crafts that are sure to satisfy Halloween appetites.

On the Fairgreen in Athboy, an all-ages Irish-themed Celtic Voyage Circus will delight families, while after dark the Samhain Circus celebrates the creme de la creme of creepy cabaret, hair-raising high wire acts and sideshow elements, fire performances, and much more.

The Fairgreen in Athboy and Hill of Ward will host this year's celebration of Samhain, with a living historical village, walking tours, processions and spectacle, and exciting surprises.

Cartoon Saloon, Academy, Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Emmy nominated animated studio will create spectacular projections at Púca Festival to tell the story of Ireland as the original birthplace of Halloween which began as Samhain over 2,000 years ago.

Throughout the weekend a variety of free ticketed events will take place including Halloween fun, games, and treasure hunts across Trim and Athboy.