Myth, magic, and folklore as more Púca events are announced

Bingo Loco at the Big Top Stage in Trim

Bingo Loco is to the Púca Festival ranks this year at the Big Top Stage in Trim on Sunday 29th October for a 'Beyond the G-Rave Halloween Special'. With Bingo Loco’s G-Rave Round, Abba Disco, Mickey Joe Harte, The Great Big Sing Song, Dragged to Hell Drag Show and the Krusty The Clown DJ Set plus prizes with a buzzing party atmosphere, this high energy show has amassed a huge fan base across the country. There will be even more entertainment with 21-year-old singer/songwriter guest act Lea Harte.

Working in partnership with Irish and international artists, seanchaí storytellers, and the local community, Púca will showcase the best in contemporary Irish music, spectacle, and performance over four days and five nights in Ireland’s Ancient East, from 27th to 31st October next.

Púca Festival has been developed by Fáilte Ireland (the National Tourism Development Authority of Ireland), in partnership with Meath County Council, to celebrate Ireland as the birthplace of Halloween and to tell the origin story of Samhain or ‘Summer’s End’.

Storytellers Aindrias de Staic and Candlelit Tales have also been added to the line-up. Telling tales of Irish folklore Aindrias de Staic will perform his show of storytelling and music By the Light of the Silvery Moon on Friday 27th October at the Swift Cultural Centre in Trim. With tales of myth and magic, Candlelit Tales will perform on Sunday 29th October at Brogan’s Bar and Hotel in Trim.

Dr Kelly Fitzgerald, Head of UCD’s School of Irish, Celtic Studies and Folklore, will take over the Swift Cultural Centre on 29th October to delve into Irish folklore, Púca Festival, and its characters. Gerry Cremlin, a diviner from County Cork, will take to the Hill of Ward, Athboy, on Monday 30th October for a demonstration on the act of divining, using rods to find water sources and minerals underground.

These additions join a stellar programme, with music acts including Macy Gray, The Waterboys, The Charlatans, Damien Dempsey, 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, while 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 and John Colleary along with support acts.

Púca also welcomes Niall ‘Bressie’ Breslin with his podcast “Where is My Mind? Live”. The podcast delves into the complexities of the human mind, exploring strategies to navigate the modern world’s blend of beauty and chaos. The live podcast will take place at the Trim Castle Hotel Friday, 27th October at 8pm.

Tickets are on sale at www.pucafestival.com.

Bus tickets can be added at point of purchase from only €10 (plus booking fee). While Trim and Athboy are serviced by a strong public transport network, several extra services including late buses from Saturday 28th October will be added to bring visitors from Dublin, Drogheda, Navan, Mullingar and Kells, in addition to a regular shuttle bus running between Trim and Athboy.