Púca will comprise of three breath-taking days and four nights of music, myth, food, folklore, fire, feasting and merriment where Halloween’s story began, with a range of ticketed and free events on offer. In addition to the traditional ceremonies, celebrations, and offerings across Trim and Athboy, the Púca’s passion for mischief and entertainment will be brought to life with high profile contemporary acts in music, comedy, and performance.
Stages
The festival will take place across four stages in Trim and Athboy, each named after the Spirits of Samhain; Boann, the goddess of the Boyne, Morrigan, the goddess of war, Fear Dearg, the faerie of mischief, and of course Púca the shapeshifter.
Music
Music acts will include homegrown talent King Kong Company, Block Rockin Beats, The High Kings, Lisa Hannigan and Cathy Davey, The Jerry Fish Shdeshow “Cabaret”, Dublin City Ramblers and ABBAesque.
Comedy
Comedy headliners will include Neil Delamere, Jason Byrne, Joanne McNally, and David O’Doherty along with support acts Sinead Quinlan, Stephen Mullan, Martin Angolo, Ian Coppinger, Emma Doran and Shane Daniel Byrne.
Storytelling/Podcasts
Storytelling and folklore will be brought to life with events headlined by Blindboy with an eclectic podcast show containing short fiction and comedy. Candlelit Tales who are masters of storytelling weave a magical world around their audience with fresh, fine-tuned stories that bring folklore and fantasy to life.
Feasting
As Samhain historically marked the end of the harvest season, Púca festival embraces the enormous wealth and quality of the local produce on its doorstep in the Boyne Valley. Visitors can expect to indulge in traditional barm brack, colcannon and baked apples as they immerse themselves in the local harvest offerings, in what promises to be the most spirited Púca festival to date, casting a lasting spell on all the senses.
Myth & Mischief
Hosted in various locations across Trim and Athboy daily, there will be events involving immersive games and storytelling, including Banshee Bingo Hall, Away with the Faeries, self-guided treasure hunts, traditional handfasting ceremonies at the Hill of Ward and much more.