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2019 Exciting New Festival For The

30th,

October Home Of Halloween

| ooted in ancient tradition and tak-
EXAMINER RLouth, the all new Púca festival (31
ing place in counties Meath and

October–2 November) will celebrate

IRISH Ireland as the birthplace of Halloween.
Adding to the many entertaining rea-
sons to come to Ireland at Halloween
time, Púca will include stunning light
installations, playful interactives and
awe-inspiring bespoke projections at
ancient sites, as well as a new music fes-
tival across unique venues.
There will also be delectable harvest-
inspired food experiences, folklore,
flame and fun as the playful púca (fairy
shapeshifters) come alive and get up to
mischief in the streets.
The main locations for festival
events are the towns of Athboy and
Trim, County Meath and Drogheda in
County Louth, all of which have rich
histories.
Athboy is regarded as the location of
the first Samhain festival, and the locals
annually light the sacred Samhain flame
on the historic Hill of Ward. Trim is
home to the largest Anglo-Norman cas- Ancient East, where a multitude of age- end’. Samhain marks the end of the old of nuts and berries. But alongside that
tle in Ireland, while Drogheda is one of less sites tell the story of a fascinating Celtic Year and the beginning of the feeling of plenty, was an awareness that
the oldest towns on the island. historical and mythical past. New Year. winter was coming, that food would be
The three towns sit in the historical- Halloween originates in the ancient The Celts believed that this was a scarce and that sacrifices would need to
ly and archaeologically significant Irish and Celtic tradition of Samhain, time of transition, when the veil be made.
Boyne Valley, a key location in Ireland’s which is the old Irish for ‘summer’s between our world and the next came Fast forward to today and those cus-
down, and the spirits of all who had toms have been integrated with mod-
Sean Downes died since the last Oíche Shamhna ern-day traditions to create the world-

(Night of Samhain) moved on to the
wide festival of Halloween.
next life. Celebrated in Ireland with more
Attorney at Law before winter when clans came from all gusto and enthusiasm than anywhere
Samhain was the last great gathering
else in the world, the island is still the
67 Wall Street, Suite 2401 over Ireland to celebrate, trade and con- best place to enjoy the most authentic
New York, New York 10005-3101 nect. It was a time for fires, feasting, of Halloween experiences.
Telephone: (212) 248-3232 Fax (212) 248-2848 remembering what had passed, a time Other festivals to explore around the
Representing those injured in: of reckoning, rebirth and preparing for island include the world-famous Banks
SCAFFOLDING ACCIDENTS CONSTRUCTION ACCIDENTS the New Year ahead. of the Foyle Halloween Carnival (25
MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENTS MEDICAL MALPRACTICE
AND ALL OTHER ACCIDENT CASES The harvest was in, the animals were October – 1 November) in the Walled
in shelter and there was an abundance City of Derry. C

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