Festival Highlights

Friday 31 October

1–3pm: Costume registration & free Mirror Selfie Photobooth

3pm: Parade gathering in Town Park

4pm: Trick or Treat Parade

5pm: Performance by the Joan Denise Moriarty School of Dance

5.20pm: Best Dressed Awards

Saturday 1 November

6pm: Gathering outside Kinsale Library with beasts and shadows

6.30pm: Lantern Parade

7.30pm: First South Credit Union Samhain Céilí – The Big Tent, beside Kinsale Youth Theatre (Yellow Building, Pier Rd, P17 KC80)

9pm: Songs at the Threshold – An immersive, lantern-lit finale performance

💃 The First South Credit Union Samhain Céilí

At 7.30pm on Saturday 1 November, the festival introduces the First South Credit Union Samhain Céilí in The Big Tent, beside the Youth Theatre.

After the Lantern Parade, everyone is invited to an evening of music, dance, and myth — where traditional céilí steps meet playful, otherworldly inventions. Guided by Martin O’Donoghue, this is no ordinary céilí: participants will join live musicians and wild costumed creatures in circle dances, line sets, and new games that blur the line between performer and audience.

Accessible and welcoming for all, simple steps will be taught on the spot so everyone — from seasoned dancers to first-timers — can take part. In the spirit of Samhain, this unique céilí celebrates togetherness, joy, and the turning of the year through shared rhythm and movement.

🌕 Songs at the Threshold – A Lantern-Lit Finale of Myth, Music & Community

An Tulca 2025 culminates in Songs at the Threshold, a powerful closing performance written and directed by Yvonne Coughlan.

This immersive, lantern-lit experience invites the community to step into Irish myth and memory — where beasts, spirits, and stories come alive through chant, song, and movement. Created by and with the people of Kinsale, this finale is more than a performance: it’s a living story. Participants of all ages will come together to honour Samhain, the turning of the year, and the spirits who walk beside us.

Through storytelling, song, and dance, the people of Kinsale become co-creators in a celebration that is at once ancient and contemporary, mythic and communal.

🎨 Free Community Workshops

Workshops are at the heart of An Tulca’s participatory spirit. Organised by Éidín Griffin, these creative sessions are free, inclusive, and open to all — with materials supplied.

Fri 3 Oct, 3.15–5pm – Mask & Shadow Workshop (ages 6–10), Kinsale Librar

Fri 10 Oct, 3.15–5pm – Shadow Creature Workshop (ages 10–12), Kinsale Library

Fri 17 Oct, 4–8pm – Lantern & Umbrella Workshop, Kinsale Youth Theatre

Fri 24 Oct, 1–5pm – Moon Creature Workshop, Kinsale Library

Workshops are free but booking is essential via Eventbrite (search Kinsale [Workshop Name]).

👥 The Team Behind An Tulca 2025

An Tulca Festival is made possible by a dedicated committee and creative team of local artists and volunteers.

Festival Committee:

Yvonne Coughlan – Chair & Artistic Director

Katy Mullins – Secretary & Decor Coordinator

Karen Garvin – Treasurer & Social Media Manager

Éidín Griffin – Artist Coordinator & Workshop Artist

Kate Bowen – Community Fundraising Liaison

Ruth Silver – Volunteer Coordinator

Artistic & Workshop Team

Éidín Griffin, Tara de Las Casas, and Dinny Wheeler – Workshop Artists

Martin O’Donoghue – Play Strategist, Ludic Artist & Céilíographer

💫 Join the Celebration

Unless otherwise stated, all events take place at The Big Tent, Kinsale Youth Theatre, Yellow Building, Pier Rd, P17 KC80.

Everyone is welcome to take part — whether you join a workshop, march in the parade, or dance at the céilí. An Tulca is a celebration of creativity, community, and connection at the turning of the year.

Support the festival: idonate.ie/crowdfunder/KinsaleHalloweenFestival

Contact: [email protected]

Follow updates: @KinsaleHalloween on social media