Púca Markets
Step into the heart of Púca’s markets and festival experiences, where the spirit of Samhain brings past and present together. At Trim’s Porchfields, browse artisan makers, local Boyne Valley products and Samhain-inspired crafts, and see ancient skills brought to life through demonstrations and traditional games. At Athboy’s Fairgreen, enter the Living History Village and Ancestral Garden for battle demonstrations, storytelling and immersive encounters with Ireland’s past.
Across both locations, enjoy delicious food and refreshments while exploring the traditions, skills and stories of Samhain.
The Púca Market - Trim
The Harvest Market – Trim
Thursday 29 October – Sunday 1 November
11am–7pm daily, with extended hours until 8pm on Friday
Set in the atmospheric Porchfields of Trim, the Harvest Market brings together traditional craftsmanship, local produce and the ancient spirit of Samhain.
Browse artisan makers, local producers and Samhain-inspired crafts, find unique pieces to take home, and savour food and refreshments from across the market. Watch traditional skills unfold through live demonstrations, try your hand at traditional games, and discover the stories behind crafts passed down through generations.
Meet the Makers
- Frayne Woodcraft
Explore the mythology of Ireland’s native trees with woodturner Damien Frayne, then watch a live woodturning demonstration and discover the skills involved in shaping timber by hand.
- Fuinseog Woodland Crafts and the Bemusement Games
Try your hand at a collection of traditional wooden games, handcrafted from Irish timber. Learn the rules, test your skills and discover games inspired by the past.
- Joey Byrnes Woodcraft
Learn about the traditional art of woodcarving as Joey demonstrates the tools, techniques and craftsmanship used to shape timber by hand.
- Willow Work with Lynn Kirkham
Watch willow take shape as Lynn Kirkham demonstrates traditional weaving techniques and creates sculptural forms from this natural material.
- Tom King – An Gobha
Meet Tom King, the Blacksmith of the Boyne, and experience the heat, skill and tradition of blacksmithing through live demonstrations.
Hands-On Experiences
Púca Ogham Carving with Mícheál Potterton | Fiach Rua Timbercraft
Step into the world of Ogham, Ireland’s ancient script, and explore the folklore and history behind its origins. In this hands-on workshop, learn the art of woodcarving, discover the meaning behind each letter and carve your own Ogham totem to take home.
Súgán Chair Making with Eoin Reardan
Pull up a chair to centuries of Irish tradition. Learn how a traditional súgán chair is made using hand-twisted straw or hay rope and traditional woodworking techniques, and discover the skill behind this distinctive piece of Irish heritage.
Butter Making with Max Jones | Up There The Last
Join Max Jones of Up There The Last for a hands-on exploration of traditional butter making, from mountain traditions in Alpine Italy to the butters of the Irish bogs. Using fermented cream and a traditional dash churn, discover how flavour, folklore and food preservation shaped this once richly varied food.
Also look out for Up There The Last’s hot-smoked fish demonstrations and talks exploring the heritage of fish preservation.
More to Discover
- Samhain crafts & local products: Browse tents with handmade Samhain-inspired crafts alongside products from local makers and producers from across the Boyne Valley.
- Taste the Market Take a break from exploring and enjoy freshly prepared food, sweet treats and refreshments from a variety of market vendors.
Athboy Ancestral Garden – Where the Samhain Fire Comes to Life
Thursday 29 October – Sunday 1 November
11am–7pm daily, with extended hours until 8pm on Friday
At the heart of the Púca Festival lies Athboy, a place deeply rooted in Samhain tradition. Overlooking the town is Tlachtga, the Hill of Ward, one of Ireland’s most sacred sites, where ancient fires once marked the Celtic New Year and summoned gatherings from across the island.
Today, Athboy’s Fairgreen becomes a festival hub, bringing the traditions and stories of Samhain to life through the Ancestral Garden, Living History Village, traditional games, battle demonstrations and storytelling.
Explore the Living History Village as costumed demonstrators bring ancient crafts and skills to life across immersive tents. Test your strength, balance and skill with traditional Celtic games, and witness battle demonstrations twice daily. Enjoy food and refreshments from festival vendors as you explore the Fairgreen.
Take a moment to wander through the Ancestral Garden, a space inspired by the ancient traditions and ceremonial fires associated with Tlachtga, the Hill of Ward.
To learn more about the traditions of Samhain, join Deirdre Wadding for
Ancestral Traditions of Samhain
As Samhain marks the time when the boundary between worlds was believed to be at its thinnest, join storyteller and Irish spirituality teacher Deirdre Wadding to explore the ancestral traditions and stories of this ancient festival. Gather around the fire, discover the customs of Samhain and learn how our ancestors welcomed and honoured those who came before them.
From ancient traditions and living history to storytelling around the fire, Athboy offers a chance to experience Samhain where its story began.
Living History Village at Púca 2026
Step back in time and discover ancient Ireland brought to life.
The Living History Village at Púca 2026 invites visitors into a world of ancient crafts, traditions and everyday life, with interactive tents and a large cast of costumed reenactors.
Wander through the village and discover traditional skills including weaving and sewing, woodcarving, tanning, textiles, silver and chainmail jewellery, bread making, herbalism and blacksmithing. Meet the craftspeople, explore traditional materials and learn how people lived, worked and created in ancient Ireland.
Along the way, meet Irish wolfhounds and birds of prey, learn about traditional food preservation and ancient armour, and enjoy face painting and hands-on demonstrations. The village offers a fascinating glimpse into crafts, customs and knowledge passed down through generations.
Test your skills in the Celtic Games area, where you can put your mind, strength, endurance and balance to the test:
- Fidchell – a test of mind
- Giant’s Head Toss – a test of strength
- Boulder Hold – a test of endurance
- Log Balance – a test of balance
In the arena, witness battle demonstrations twice daily, bringing the world of ancient Ireland vividly to life.
With live demonstrations, hands-on activities and storytelling throughout, the Living History Village offers visitors of all ages an immersive look at Ireland’s ancestral past.
Sustainability Tent
The Sustainability Tent returns this year with a series of engaging talks and activities focused on sustainable living. Building on last year’s success, this space will explore how ancient traditions can inspire modern innovations for a greener future.
Accessibility Tent
As part of our commitment to creating a festival that welcomes everyone, the Accessibility Tents at both sites facilitated by Nua Healthcare Services will offer a quiet, calming space for those who may feel overwhelmed during the day. These welcoming spaces offer low-arousal zones, mindfulness and wellness areas, and calming sensory supports—including Nua’s Mobile CLaD Bus tailored to support neurodiverse visitors or with complex needs. Designed with inclusion at heart, they’re peaceful retreats where everyone can recharge and rejoin the festival feeling refreshed.
Road Closure Notice: Púca Festival 2025
Temporary road closures will be in effect in Athboy (31 October) and Trim (1 November) for Púca Festival parades. Diversions and access arrangements will be signposted.
Púca Festival Line-Up 2025
Visitor Information
Planning your festival visit is hassle free. We have what you need to know, from getting here to booking accommodation and making the most out of this unique experience of Samhain culture.
