Samhain Festival coming to Visual Carlow with mega line-up of live events

The ancient Celtic traditions of Samhain, marking the end of the harvest season and the start of winter, will be revived in Carlow this Halloween. A comeback of The Carlow Set dance, a fire show and an enchanting performance by four-part harmony group Landless are all part of the line-up for Samhain Festival 2024, which returns to VISUAL from Friday, 25th to Sunday, 27th October 2024.

Celebrated as the Celtic New Year, Samhain was believed to be the time when the veil between the living and the dead was especially thin—allowing spirits to visit the living. VISUAL CEO and Artistic Director, Emma Lucy O’Brien, said this year’s programme has been crafted to bring in traditional Samhain elements and modern Halloween celebrations. “We wanted to create an experience that is both nostalgic and exciting for all ages,” she said.

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Events are not just for little monsters during the day but for all creatures of the night, young and old. Witches and warlocks will descend on VISUAL as the festival opens with a movie screening and fancy dress contest at 10am on Friday. Later that evening, VISUAL will host Landless and Friends in the Link Gallery to mark the official opening concert of Samhain 2024. “We are delighted to welcome Landless to Carlow for the Samhain Festival. Their own blend of traditional folk and contemporary influences will provide a mesmerising start to our festivities. This performance is sure to captivate and enchant all who attend.”

Other highlights during the weekend include a spook-tacular show, Spellbound with Joe The Magician at 3pm on Saturday, 26th October at the GB Shaw Theatre, and Spooky Tours for adults, VISUAL’s building at 8pm, 9pm, 10pm, and 11pm on Saturday, 26th October.

The festival closes on Sunday, 27th October with FIRENIGHT - LUMINA – a fire, light, and sound spectacle in the Carlow College Grounds at 8pm. ROGU is an award-winning fire show, light performance, and movement arts and education company based in Ireland. “We hope the people of Carlow enjoy some of the events we are hosting for Samhain 2024. It was all made possible thanks to the support from Fáilte Ireland and Carlow County Council under the Festivals, Events and Tourism Venue Fund and the Arts Council of Ireland,” added Emma Lucy O’Brien.

Programme of events with more to be confirmed…

Friday, 25th October 2024
- Movie Screening & Fancy Dress Competition: 10am, GB Shaw Theatre, Bar & Foyer
- Scavenger Hunt: 2pm - 6pm, Carlow College Grounds
- Folktails - A Special Samhain We Go On: 2pm, The Link Gallery
- Have a Gawk, The Spooky Edition: 2pm, The Main Gallery
- Sláinte Maith Dancing - The Monster Mash With Marie Cashin: 2pm, GB Shaw Theatre
- Official Launch of SAMHAIN 2024: 4pm, Front Entrance Of VISUAL
- The Friday Café with Indeceltic & Carlow Mummers, revival of Carlow Set: 3pm - 5.30pm, Bar
- Official Opening Concert with Landless and Friends: 8pm, The Link Gallery

Saturday, 26th October 2024
- Samhain Yoga With Connie: 10am, The Main Gallery
- Scavenger Hunt: 11am - 5.30pm, Carlow College Grounds
- Spellbound with Joe The Magician: 3pm, GB Shaw Theatre
- A Night at VISUAL (Spooky Tours for Adults): 8pm / 9pm / 10pm / 11pm, VISUAL Full Building

Sunday, 27th October 2024
- Old School Games On the Lawn: 2pm - 5.30pm, Carlow College Front Lawn in collaboration with Carlow Sports Partnership
- Halloween Costume Competition - Judging & Prizes: 2pm - 5.30pm, All Grounds
- Spooky Samhain Disco: 2pm - 5.30pm, The Digital Gallery
- Strawcraft Workshops: 2pm - 5.30pm
- Workshop in The Lobby Gallery: 2pm - 5.30pm, The Lobby Gallery
- Workshop in The Link Gallery: 2pm - 5.30pm, The Link Gallery
- Workshop in the Main Gallery: 2pm - 5.30pm, The Main Gallery
- Baby Area in The Bar: 2pm - 5.30pm, The VISUAL Bar
- Scavenger Hunt: 2pm - 5.30pm, Carlow College Grounds
- Children's Ghost Tours - Carlow College: 2pm / 2.30pm / 3pm / 3.30pm / 4pm / 4.30pm / 5pm, Carlow College
- Children's Storytelling: 2pm / 3pm / 4pm / 5pm, GB Shaw Theatre
- FIRENIGHT - LUMINA featuring Rogu and EnCóre - The Fire, Light, and Dance Spectacular: 8pm, Carlow College Grounds