Punch-packing Púca Festival promises to deliver the fireworks this weekend
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Broken Theatre Presented The Pyro Collective Fire Show at Trim Castle at the launch of the 2022 Puca Festival. The group will be performing again at the festival. PHOTOS: Enda Casey / Gasun Photography. ENDA CASEYImage 2 of 3
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Ring of Fire... Broken Theatre Presented The Pyro Collective Fire Show at Trim Castle at the launch of the 2022 Puca Festival. ENDA CASEYIf you're hoping to see some of the major headline acts coming to Trim and Athboy for this year's Púca Festival, you'd better move fast.
The four-day musical and culture extravaganza is looking to explode into life with a stellar line-up that's expected to provide a frighteningly good financial boost for the local economy
Headline acts across Trim and Athboy venues from 28th-31st of October venues include The Academic, Imelda May, Gavin James, Block Rockin’ Beats with King Kong Company and Meath’s own HamsandwicH and Lisa Hannigan, The High Kings, The Jerry Fish Electric Sideshow Cabaret, Blindboy, Candlelit Tales, Joanne McNally, Neil Delamere, David O’Doherty, and Jason Byrne.
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Broken Theatre Presented The Pyro Collective Fire Show at Trim Castle at the launch of the 2022 Puca Festival. The group will be performing again at the festival. Photo by ENDA CASEYImage 2 of 6
Broken Theatre Presented The Pyro Collective Fire Show at Trim Castle at the launch of the 2022 Puca Festival. The group will be performing again at the festival. Photo by ENDA CASEYImage 3 of 6
Broken Theatre Presented The Pyro Collective Fire Show at Trim Castle at the launch of the 2022 Puca Festival. The group will be performing again at the festival. Photo by ENDA CASEYImage 4 of 6
Broken Theatre Presented The Pyro Collective Fire Show at Trim Castle at the launch of the 2022 Puca Festival. The group will be performing again at the festival. Photo by ENDA CASEYImage 5 of 6
Broken Theatre Presented The Pyro Collective Fire Show at Trim Castle at the launch of the 2022 Puca Festival. The group will be performing again at the festival. Photo by ENDA CASEYImage 6 of 6
Broken Theatre Presented The Pyro Collective Fire Show at Trim Castle at the launch of the 2022 Puca Festival. The group will be performing again at the festival. Photo by ENDA CASEYPúca Festival was devised by Fáilte Ireland to encourage international visitors to visit Ireland during October and November, and to encourage domestic visitors to explore different regions of Ireland, by sharing the origin story of Samhain or ‘Summer’s End’. The festival will act as a platform to celebrate this cultural landmark, drive international visitors, and ultimately act as a vehicle to spread global awareness of Ireland as the birthplace of Halloween
Working in partnership with Irish artists, seanchaí storytellers, and the local community, Púca will showcase the best in contemporary Irish music, spectacle, and performance.
Looking ahead to this weekend's event Ciara Sugrue, Head of Festivals, Fáilte Ireland added:
“Festivals are crucial to the tourism sector, motivating over 200,000 overseas visitors to come to Ireland and contributing €108m to the economy every year. Working in partnership with Meath County Council, Fáilte Ireland is committed to developing Púca Festival into a world-class festival that positions Ireland as the home of Halloween internationally over the next number of years. We are excited to see the festival come to life this October.”
WHO'S HEADLINING THE PUCA FESTIVAL?
Jackie Maguire, Chief Executive, Meath County Council, said Meath County Council was delighted to support the Púca Festival in 2022 looked forward to welcoming visitors to celebrate the origins of Samhain in Meath with a very exciting programme of events and support the tourism economy of County Meath.
Paula Lawler, Programme Director for Púca Festival said a very special closing ceremony for Púca Festival would take place on sacred ground at The Hill of Ward, a traditional site of Samhain gathering and hugely significant to Ireland’s claim as the birthplace of Halloween.
The Samhain Fires closing ceremony on Monday 31st will begin with a very special, intimate fire lighting ceremony at Tlachtga (the Hill of Ward), paying tribute to traditional Samhain rituals. This limited-ticketed ceremony will include live music from Sibéal Ní Chasaide. Sibéal is one of Ireland's foremost sean-nós singers and is from the Ráth Chairn Gaeltacht (Irish speaking area) in County Meath.
Replicating the traditions of the earliest Samhain celebrations, the embers from the fire lit at Tlachtga will be carried to ignite the final festival fire at the Fair Green. Once the new fire is burning the celebrations in the Fair Green will ensue with a Morrigan inspired fire performance alongside the rhythmic beat of the Hit Machine drummers. The Samhain Fires finale will close with innovative and exciting band Kíla.
A multitude of free events over the festival weekend, from traditional music to céilí dancing to late night clubs, ensure there are options to suit all budgets and tastes. With so much to explore, there’s no doubt that Trim and Athboy are the places to be this Halloween!”