Púca festival proudly presented a celebration of Irish heritage with an intimate fire lighting ceremony at Tlachtga (Hill of Ward), Athboy, County Meath on October 31st 2023 paying tribute to traditional Samhain rituals, followed by a procession to the festival’s finale, a spectacular fire and musical celebration at the Fair Green in Athboy. The closing ceremony included performances from Sibéal Ní Chasaide and Kíla, as well as a Morrigan (ancient Irish goddess of war) inspired fire performance alongside the rhythmic beat of the Hit Machine drummers.
Athboy is an important hub of Halloween tradition, with ancient manuscripts telling us that Tlachtga (pronounced Clackda) or The Hill of Ward was a site of great Samhain gathering. As the sun set and the ceremonial fire was lit at Tlachtga on Halloween night, festival goers gathered at the Fair Green in Athboy. The flame procession, led by a specially invited master of ceremonies Damien Dempsey, carried the honorary Tlachtga flame, the fire to light us up through the dark season ahead.