Today, Tuesday 13th September, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin T.D. officially launches the Púca Festival Halloween 2022 programme with a multi-talented lineup announced today including 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, Jason Byrne and more.
Returning to Co. Meath from Friday 28th to Monday 31st October 2022 across festival hubs Trim and Athboy, Púca is an authentic, immersive and otherworldly festival that celebrates Ireland as the birthplace of Halloween.
Developed by Fáilte Ireland, in partnership with Meath County Council, to tell the origin story of Samhain or ‘Summer’s End’, Púca was devised to encourage more international visitors to visit Ireland during October and November, and to encourage domestic visitors to explore different regions of Ireland. Working in partnership with Irish artists, seanchaí storytellers, and the local community Púca will showcase the best in contemporary Irish music, spectacle, and performance, and is now in its third year.
Speaking at the programme launch in Dublin Castle, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin T.D. 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.”
Some programme highlights attendees can expect from Púca include:
ATHBOY
· Celtic Voyage Circus
Friday 28th – 31st October, 1.30pm, 4.30pm, 7pm, Fairgreen Athboy. Tickets €10 Plus Booking Fee.
· Dublin City Ramblers 50th Anniversary Tour
Friday 28th October, 8pm, Darnley Lodge Hotel. Tickets €15 Plus Booking Fee.
· The High Kings
Saturday 29th October, 8pm, Darnley Lodge Hotel. Tickets €29 Plus Booking Fee.
· Kíla
Monday 31st October, time and location to be confirmed.
TRIM
· Lisa Hannigan & Cathy Davey
Friday 28th October, 8pm, Fear Dearg Stage. Tickets €25 Plus Booking Fee.
· Imelda May
Friday 28th October, 8pm, Big Top Púca Stage. Tickets €37.50 Plus Booking Fee.
· Jack O’Lanterns Food & Craft Markets (FREE EVENT)
Friday 28th – Monday 31st October, Trim Castle. Free to join.
· Haunted Trim Walking Tours
Friday 28th – Monday 31st October, 12.30pm, 3pm and 6pm, Trim Town. Tickets €9 Plus Booking Fee.
· Opening Procession – The Arrival of The Spirits (FREE EVENT)
Saturday 29th October, 6.30pm, Jonathan Swift Street, Trim Town. Free to join.
· Seo Linn (FREE EVENT)
Saturday 29th October, 4.45pm, Boann Stage at Trim Castle.
· The Academic
Saturday 29th October, Big Top Púca Stage. Tickets on sale 10am Wednesday, 14th September.
· Storytelling with Candlelit Tales
Sunday 30th – Monday 31st October, 2pm, Morrigan Stage at Trim Castle Hotel. Tickets €5 Plus Booking Fee
· The Jerry Fish Electric Sideshow ‘Cabaret’
Saturday 29th October, 8pm, Trim Castle Hotel. Tickets €25 Plus Booking Fee.
· Gavin James
Sunday 30th October, 8pm, Púca Big Top Stage. Tickets €35.00 Plus Booking Fee.
· Blindboy Live Podcast
Sunday 30th October, 8pm, Morrigan Stage at Trim Castle Hotel. Tickets €26.50 Plus Booking Fee.
· Sharon Shannon (FREE EVENT)
Sunday 30th October, 4.30pm, Boann Stage, Trim Castle.
· Joanne McNally
Monday 31st October, 8pm, Knightsbrook Hotel. Tickets €27.50 Plus Booking Fee.
· The Hidden Station – Live Variety Podcast (FREE EVENT)
Monday 31st October, 6pm, Morrigan Stage at Trim Castle Hotel. Free Ticketed Event.
· Block Rockin’ Beats, King Kong Company and HamsandwicH
Monday 31st October, 7.30pm, Big Top Púca Stage. Tickets €30 Plus Booking Fee.
Have a look at the exciting new programme and book tickets to concerts and events across the two festival hubs here.