Festival Calendar
Find out what’s happening at the Clonakilty Samhain Festival.
2025 Festival Events
The full event calendar for 2025 will be available later this year (past year events are listed below this year’s event calendar with dates crossed out)
The Clonakilty Samhain Parade & Fireshow
FREE EVENT
The Clonakilty Samhain Parade and Fireshow.
The theme for this year's Púca Parade is “The Music Of What Happens”, inspired by the title of a book by Fr John J O’Riordain, which speaks of Celtic spirituality as a lived experience in modern Ireland.
This is an invitation to all to take a walk through nature, observe the changes that are afoot and allow it to inspire you. With natural materials that you gather (sustainably and thoughtfully!) make yourself a costume, decorate a mask and join us as we walk through the town to celebrate the ancient festival of Samhain and the arrival of winter in Ireland.
Please register your self/group below.
Samhain Sessions in An Teach Beag and DeBarra’s Folk Club
FREE EVENTS
Samhain Sessions in An Teach Beag and DeBarra’s Folk Club.
The Clonakilty Samhain Parade & Fireshow.
FREE EVENT
SLÍ NA FÍRINNE - The Clonakilty Samhain Parade and Fireshow.
Samhain Origins & Customs
FREE EVENT
A talk with Dr. Eoghain Hamilton on the origins and customs associated with Samhain in DeBarra’s Folk Club.
Drop in críos-making workshop
FREE EVENT
Drop in críos-making workshop with Aideen Macken in the Clonakilty Museum on Western Road where the political, social and folklife aspects of the area are exhibited.
A musical analysis of the music of Sliabh Lúachra
FREE EVENT
Jim Murray presents a musical analysis of the music of Sliabh Lúachra through performance and conversation in De Barra’s Folk Club.
Samhain Sessions in An Teach Beag and DeBarra’s Folk Club
FREE EVENTS
Samhain Sessions in An Teach Beag and DeBarra’s Folk Club.
RÓIS at DeBarra’s Folk Club
€14.50
RÓIS at DeBarra’s Folk Club. Composer, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist and electronic artist from Fermanagh, whose songs breathe new life into a forgotten Ireland. Support Act: Medazza Choir performing a piece by Clodagh Simonds.
An evening of sean-nós singing, stories and traditional music
TICKETS AT THE DOOR
€15 / €10 FOR PENSIONERS
An evening of sean-nós singing, stories and traditional music in the Methodist Church on Kent Street. Featuring Thomas McCarthy, John Reid, Jon Hicks and Rosie McCarthy.
Meet and Greet traditional Irish music instruments
FREE EVENT
Meet and Greet traditional Irish music instruments and the people who play them, with Clonakilty Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann in An Teach Beag.
Clonakilty Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann
FREE EVENT
A concert with Clonakilty Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann in O’ Donovan’s Alley Garden.
Gamelan Spréacha Geala
A set of Irish tunes with the Gamelan Spréacha Geala in the Methodist Church on Kent Street.
Drop in críos-making workshop
FREE EVENT
Drop in críos-making workshop with Aideen Macken in the Clonakilty Museum on Western Road where the political, social and folklife aspects of the area are exhibited.
Samhain Sessions
Samhain Sessions. A night of traditional music in:
De Barra’s Folk Club, A Teach Beag and Shanley’s.
FREE EVENT.
Samhain Parade
“Listen to the Land Speak” - Come and celebrate Samhain!
The theme for this year's Púca Parade is taken from Manchán Magan's brilliant book "Listen to the Land Speak" and it is an invitation to all to take a walk through nature, observe the changes that are afoot and allow it to inspire you. With natural materials that you gather (sustainably and thoughtfully!) make yourself a costume and join us as we walk through the town to celebrate the ancient festival of Samhain.
Please register your self/group using the link below.
Kindly supported by the Arts Council
Shake Hands with the Hawk
Shake Hands with the Hawk. An interactive talk with philosopher Kevin J. Power.
FREE EVENT.
Mythical Ireland
Mythical Ireland. A live podcast with folklorists and mythologists Anthony Murphy and Manchán Magan.
FREE EVENT. REGISTRATION REQUIRED.
Thin Places: Exploring the Holy Wells of County Cork
Thin Places: Exploring the Holy Wells of County Cork A talk by author and researcher Amanda Clark
FREE EVENT.
Caitlin Ruth Food Truck and Samhain Session
Caitlin Ruth Food Truck and Samhain Session in An Teach Beag.
Sam Amidon - Gig
The mighty Sam Amidon plays at DeBarra's Folk Club for Samhain.
PAID EVENT. TICKETS REQUIRED.
Sacrifice, Magic & Protection
The feast of St. Martin in Ireland. A talk by folklorist Billy Mag Fhloinn.
FREE EVENT - Registration Required
Ancestral Storytelling
Experimental Storytelling with poet Paddy Doyle and fiends.
FREE EVENT.
Birth Notes - An Exhibition by Artist Ciúin Tracey
Birth Notes - An Exhibition by Artist Ciúin Tracey.
FREE EVENT.
Mask & Lantern Making Workshop II
Come make yourself a mask for the Samhain parade!
Community workshops for the Samhain Parade in the Clonakilty Arts Centre.
Kindly supported by the Cork County Council and Pure Cork
Mask & Lantern Making Workshop I
Come make yourself a mask for the Samhain parade!
Community workshops for the Samhain Parade in the Clonakilty Arts Centre.
Kindly supported by the Cork County Council and Pure Cork