Went to the Púca festival. It’s a halloween festival with Pagan elements (at least its supposed to be). Was very heavily advertised, I saw lots of things on Instagram and billboards and things around Dublin. Big advertising budget for sure.
It’s held in both Athboy and Trim in Meath. So first me and my girlfriend headed to Athboy, we took a regular bus that went every hour only which was a pain, didn’t seem to be any additional buses (more on that later).
First we did this game in the village hall called [away with the Fairies](https://pucafestival.com/event/away-with-the-fairies-games-trim/#tickets). Kind of like Among Us if you know what that is. Fair play to the guy running it, he was nice, but it was clearly a very small thing just for kids and I wouldn’t do it again. Kind of surprising since it features prominently on the Púca website.
Next was a [Circus](https://pucafestival.com/event/sorcas-na-samhna/) again, this was ok – the people were nice but it was a tiny thing for kids yet again. Hardly a headline event.
Then we went to Trim (this is where the fun begins) we lost 45 minutes waiting for the bus again since there was no shuttle between the two sites.
Anyway, not a big deal we got to Trim in time for the [Halloween Market](https://pucafestival.com/event/jack-olanterns-harvest-market-fine-food-and-crafts/)\- which I could only describe as mega shit. There was a coffee van, a stall selling hippie crystals and a toothpaste (?) seller. Some sweets stalls too but that’s all. Hardly worth the fancy name.
Trim castle, the location of the event, was locked so you couldn’t even go around there. The field outside had the shit market on one end and a row of porta-loos on the other. There weren’t even any decorations or people in costume. There weren’t even any *fucking pumpkins for Christ sake.*
We came to the castle for a [spooky storytelling event](https://pucafestival.com/event/the-morrigan-at-trim-castle/) only to discover *at the door.* That the thing was cancelled due to “high winds”. They said that as people with special lanyards were let in while all us chumps with tickets were locked out. I could hear the thing starting and said as much to the security guy on the door and he said it was a “small, private event for failte Ireland”
So in other words the event was cancelled and hijacked by some big fucker in failte Ireland to have a party with their friends.
Anyway, we went to find this [Cartoon Saloon screening](https://pucafestival.com/event/cartoon-saloon-samhain-animation/) \- except of course none of the staff had heard of it or knew where it was (I suspect it didn’t exist at all).
Nothing for it I guess, time for [the opening procession](https://pucafestival.com/event/opening-procession-the-arrival-of-the-spirits/), a parade through Trim…. Except no one seemed to know the exact route, there wasn’t enough staff. Trim residents were driving through the crowds and it obviously didn’t start on time. My girlfriend and I waited for 30 minutes before packing it in to get the bus back to Dublin.
We went to the bus stop in time for the 7pm bus…. except it didn’t come, and neither did the 8pm bus, by then there were about 300 people waiting at the bus stop trying to get to Dublin with no bus coming.
Lucky for me we had a friend nearby to pick us up and drive us somewhere to get the train back to Dublin. But what about the hundreds of other people? Well there were no buses so I expect many were stranded over night.
We went down to the main area to use the toilets and to top it off the big headliner [fire show](https://pucafestival.com/event/broken-theatre-presents-pyro-collective-fire-show/) was … also cancelled.
​
So that’s the story of the Púca festival. Highly advertised, lackluster, no market stalls, no staff, cancelled events, no decoration, no transport, no nothing.
Absolute disaster.
How do they get away with this? Were can I make a proper complaint?
29 comments
Sounds par for the course with these public events in Ireland. I think it’s because they’re run by amateurs who don’t have experience with managing events. Picture endless tractors in the small town St Patrick’s Day parades. These are the big annual events tourists from across the world flock to Ireland for.
Definately a Dan Clancy/Ted Crilly production
For something as heavily promoted as that, it would want to deliver the goods. Multiple cancellations and a lack of atmosphere is a killer.
An all too familiar story of badly run events with people being left stranded and no accountability.
Jesus. This was so heavily advertised, I had assumed there was a relatively professional outfit behind it, but this sounds like a mess.
Went to the story telling today. Ticket said it started at 1.30pm. turned up early to be on time only to be told doors only opened at 1.45 show starting at 2pm.
3 or 4 stories told… nice atmosphere, but stories weren’t spooky or even great tbh.
Having a Halloween event in Trim where you can’t enter the castle is ridiculous, it’s the main attraction of the town. I can also understand how the cancellations and amateur hour stuff would be infuriating especially for people that travelled a long distance to be there.
I doubt yours will be the only complaint, might even get to hear about it on Liveline.
I’ve seen this advertised a fair but the last few years. Every time I see it I always think it’ll be the same irish half arsed ripoff that everything else is in this country. Seems like I was right. Its just another example of the Irish mentality of doing things half arse and trying to rinse the most money out of people for it.
Meanwhile the missus and I are up in Derry for 5 days and honestly the halloween festival up here could rival any in Europe and I dare say the world. Its amazing and the entire city dresses up. Go into shops near closing times and staff are painting their faces at the tills so they can get into costume the second they get out. Brilliant.
I know this sounds terrible, but anything promoted as public festival/fun for the family/community event etc. Is always going to be utter dog shit. They’re really just money makers for local groups and councils.
I am willing to bet that way more money went into advertising the event than anything else. A lot of events need to make a profit when they open up in order to be considered a success and avoid financial losses. As a result more effort is put into getting people there in the first place rather making sure its good. They can’t focus on having a good event or making sure people come back next year cause they need a profit now.
That’s why a lot of festivals and events are terrible in this country. They spend all their effort on getting people to pay money instead of making sure it’s good.
I think someone here has the exact same experience last year. Really disappointing, it looked like it would be deadly
Wife, myself and her young sister went on the treasure hunt in Trim.
Promised to be about the history of the town, etc.
Most of the clues were leading you shops and pubs….
That was up untill the point the website crashed and we couldn’t continue with it….
The Meath Chronicle reached out to them for a statement about the complaints this year, I can’t wait to hear what they say back!
It’s a farce
When it was Samhain festival of fire many many years ago it was ran by folks that had one goal and it was to teach the meaning of Halloween
Was held in the same place every year by the same people
And it’s success lead into it been hi jacked by the “puca” festival which has ruined it for folks of old
And the main hi jackers were local councillors and Meath coco
I’m a resident of athboy and listening to the stupid circus outside my door every night is getting on my nerves
They never consulted with residents as to what would be happening or times
Disappointed to hear this, I had real FOMO having seen the advertisements recently. Love halloween and spooky stuff, and this seemed right up my street.
Was dead set on going next year. I think i will reconsider
Yeah I had a quick look at the line up and it’s not very Hallowe’eny, like there’s an ABBA tribute band for fecks sake!
If you wanted to be really petty you could contact Failte Ireland as they are the main partner and I think their funding is tied to hospitality, increase in footfall, local tourism etc so if there is a negative response to the festival to the point where attendees would never go back, then they’d probably have to reevaluate their funding.
I had a look to see who’s organising it (because I’m nosy) and there’s zero information on their website so I imagine it’s just some random person in Meath Coco making an absolute balls of it.
Wow, that’s disappointing. I thought it looked good on the advertising. It’s a very bad showing from Bord Failte that an event like this with Celtic roots, lots of creative opportunities in the most historically rich part of Ireland and using a fantastic castle as a backdrop wasn’t made to work. Write to Minister concerned.
I didn’t go but remember seeing advertisements for it everywhere. After reading this, I took a look at their Facebook page, where they’ve taken the unusual step to limit who can comment on their posts… I can’t seem to see previous posts either, despite being able to see there must be nearly 40 comments on one post which appear to be complaints. In response they’ve posted this:
“Thank you all for getting in touch. Your feedback is really important to us and will help us with the planning and communication around the remainder of the programme. The parade map is displayed on the website, directional signage in place, and stewards on site but we welcomed extraordinary crowds last night, which contributed to the parade starting later than planned. We’re grateful for all the support and feedback and aim to ensure clear communication and a safe environment at all times.”
Its Rip-off Ireland. We cant expect anything deacant in this place for any amount of coin.
Honestly a lesson learned on your part and take note to not expect anything better from other event in future, just dont go keep your money fly abroad a few times a year.
We need stop accepting this shit in all aspects of our lives in Ireland – Its been like this forever
I went to it a few years ago before the pandemic started, back when it was brand-new. I was gonna go this year, but I could tell it would be shite.
It was completely different back then. Adorable.
It was basically just a big parade with cool floats and attractions, with people in costumes. The parade started near Lidl in Trim, and ended outside the castle. Everyone was given big long sticks with lanterns on them, and most of us were all dressed up.
After the parade finished, there were about 4 stalls set up outside the castle. About what you describe. Hand-made jewelry and crystals. Then there was a small stage just beyond that, where there was a fleadh cheoil and a bit or Irish dancing.
There were big weird projections on the castle, which back then, was supposed to be the main event. It was just an off video lopping over and over. Nobody really payed attention.
On the hill near the castle, the path was lind-up with lit torches. I don’t know why, but that was my favourite part. Just a path with torches, that occasionally spurted and did some cool stuff. Felt so samhain-y.
Further up the hill, there was another big projection on the massive tower-yoke. It had sound effects and all. That was cool. And then there was the usual artisanal pizza and chip van.
That was it. Not complicated shite like a circus or a big stage with comedians. Just a parade, a field with small events, and a few stalls.
I wanted to go again this year, but when I saw it was being advertised as a festival, I knew they were fucked. The way they described the events on the website was confusing as hell.
Massive shame really. It used to be a small fun event that lasted no more than 3 hours. It obviously went to their heads.
The Fyre festival of Ireland
I too was entranced by their impressive advertising, only to be hugely disappointed. Was very disorganised, market stalls were poor and the worst part for us was the walk to the Hill of Tara. They told us that the walk was full, even though we had tickets. Got back in the car within 1hr of arriving and back to Dublin we went 🤷♂️
Shit lad I’m sorry you got stung.
I got got last year at Slane, I even made a post about it and [everything](https://www.reddit.com/r/ireland/comments/qfth81/if_any_of_ye_are_wondering_dont_bother_paying).
Disgraceful carry on that their still advertising something that seemingly doesn’t exist.
I lodged a complaint last year and I saw loads of people had complaints on the Facebook page as well.
It could be something genuinely class, especially with all the history here of Halloween/Samhain. Sad to have pure chancers running it who couldn’t give a shit!
Go to derry’s festival, it’s been the best one in Ireland for years
You lucky guy, you missed the 5 minute parade that was delayed for 40 minutes and the fire show afterwards that was cancelled after almost an hour of waiting.
As for earlier we got into a tour in Tlachtga advertised as “archeological” only to be greeted by neopagans asking us to keep a moment of silence to connect with our ancestors, a musical duet singing nostalgic songs for Brian Boru and Cú Chulainn and a discussion on how ancient Celts were dealing with Greeks and pharaoh Ramses.
There’s so much potential for something like this. A few years ago a friend and I went to an [immersive dance/circus performance](https://loosysmokes.com/portfolio/the-night-of-the-shifting-bog/) in St Anne’s Park in Dublin. It was amazing. We walked around the forested area of the park as different sections were lit up and the performers did spectacular aerial acrobatics in the trees. It was atmospheric and spooky and beautiful and impactful. I’d never seen anything like it. I saw advertising for Púca everywhere and assumed there’d be something special like that so it’s really disappointing to hear it was just low-effort.
This Púca thing is gearing up for a solid week of Joe Duffy and scandals! The Irish Fyre !
The human sacrifice was shit too. Girl clearly wasn’t a virgin.
4/10
Hey OP, I’m so glad you posted about this.
I (F, American) own a tour company that specializes in custom trips to Europe, and Ireland is one of our most popular destinations. Last spring I went to a multi day event that was hosted by failte Ireland and tourism Ireland, the purpose to connect Irish companies with international brands to promote Ireland as a destination, and I remember a rep from Púca being there.
Never had a chance to talk to her – honestly she tried to schedule an appointment with me but other companies were a higher priority to me so I had to decline – but before seeing this I saw it as a missed opportunity for my clients.
Thanks for posting all of this detail! Now I know for certain not to recommend it for those looking for Halloween-y/Samhain things. 🤦🏻♀️🙏🏻