Kerry’s Samhain festival kicks off this week with a magical exhibition

Take a look at the spooky Samhain offerings in Tralee this autumn

Olivia Golden

Explore the magic of Samhain at this imaginative exhibition for all the family. Samhain launches this week with Siamsa Tíre, the National Folk Theatre of Ireland, and the Kerry County Museum. In essence, Samhain is the traditional time of year where the shadows breed stories, and the spooks come out. To mark the occasion, Samhain festival launches in Tralee, with an exhibition that will thrill and entertain.

Two siblings get lost in the woods. There they meet a mysterious traveller and embark on an adventure. Along the way, they meet a cheeky púca, some lost souls, and a choir of banshees…

This is a story of Halloween as told by children’s writer Olivia Hope. In 2020, Siamsa Tíre was introduced to Olivia by Children’s Books Ireland. As a result, as part of its Associate Artist scheme, it commissioned her to research Celtic folklore, which lead her to púca. The story she created is Slí Abhaile/A Way Home. Now, she has collaborated with 21 illustrators and artists who have brought the scenes from her story to life. 

Lauren O’Neill

The Samhain exhibition embodies the true meaning of the Celtic festival. In other words, it’s laced with a distinct Irishness and a deeply entertaining narrative. It runs from September 23rd to November 6th in Kerry County Museum. There will be 46 artworks in total, displayed in the gallery at the eye level of the target audience. And gradually, it moves up from floor work for babies to adult height by the end of the story. Not only is the story and exhibition imaginative, but it is also suitable for the whole family.

You can follow the journey of all of the artworks depicting púca’s story as they make their way to Siamsa Tíre. Certainly, keep an eye out for #haveyouseenthepuca online.