• Date
  • Location Trim, County Meath, Ireland

The Púca Festival is held at the heritage town of Trim and ancient Athboy Co. Meath from the 27th – 31st of October 2023.

The Púca Festival was developed by Fáilte Ireland in partnership with Local Authorities to tell the story of Halloween’s origins in Irish and Celtic traditions. Samhain was an important event in the Celtic year, celebrating the harvest, and marking the division between the “light half of the year” and the “dark half of the year”.
‘Púca’, a character from Celtic folklore often associated with Samhain, was chosen as the name for the festival. A shape-shifting spirit, Púca would roam the night, changing the fortunes of those that cross it, along with other spirits associated with Samhain, including Boann, Morrigan and An Fear Dearg.

The festival across 2 hub towns includes a programme of Music, Comedy, Tours, Storytelling, Culture and Processions – with indoor and outdoor activities, and something for all the family.

Come alive in the dark, The Puca Festival 2019 in Trim, Co Meath - Photo: Allen Kiely

The festival includes music acts:

  • The Charlatans,
  • The Waterboys,
  • Damien Dempsey,
  • Macy Gray,
  • Hot House Flowers,
  • Sharon Shannon,
  • Jack Lukeman,
  • Mack Fleetwood,
  • The High Kings,
  • Ennio Morricone Experience,
  • Remembering Joe Dolan on his 15th Anniversary,
  • and Davina Devine Drag Show,

Comedy headliners will include

  • Reginald D Hunter,
  • Jason Byrne,
  • Emma Doran,
  • Gunther Introduces Waterford Whispers Live,
  • Tony Cantwell,
  • Shane Daniel Byrne,
  • Sinead Quinlan,
  • Sharon Mannion,
  • Ross Browne
  • John Colleary
  • along with support acts.

A live podcast will be presented by Bressie.

Circus na Samhna or a daring night out for adults at the Samhain Circus.

Events will take place across various venues in Trim and Athboy.

Transport

While Trim and Athboy are serviced by a strong public transport network, a number of extra services will be added to bring visitors from Dublin, Drogheda, Navan, Mullingar and Kells, in addition to a regular bus running between Trim and Athboy

Transport Options

Trim and Athboy are connected to a number of bus routes operated by Bus Éireann, you can see their timetables here.

Bus Éireann (BE) routes include:

  • Bus Éireann 111 from Busarus, Dublin to Trim and Athboy
  • BE 188 Navan to Athboy
  • BE 190 Navan to Trim
  • Use the TFI Journey Planner / TFI Live App to plan your route.

 

Irish Rail operates return services daily from Dublin, Connolly train station to Enfield train Station Co. Meath.
Enfield Train station is located

  • 25 minutes, (18 km) from Trim
  • and 35 minutes from Athboy (32km).

Iarnrod Eireann - Irish Rail icon

A private Púca Festival Coach Service is available, providing transport from key hubs such as Dublin, Drogheda, Navan, Slane, Kells and Mullingar, you can see all the details on the festival coaches here

For Stops and Hubs, Timetables, Fares, and bookings go to the Púca Festival website here

Trim, County Meath, Ireland