Killorglin isn’t shy when it comes to festivals. Between Puck Fair, Biddy’s Day, May Day, and K-FEST, there’s no shortage of events that bring our community together. This year, a new festival joined the line-up — An Féile Eile — adding an intriguing way for us to celebrate Samhain here in the heart of Kerry. Organised by Aoife McBride, Fiola Foley, and Lisa Sandow, with backing from the Killorglin Chamber Alliance and local support, An Féile Eile focused on folklore, storytelling, crafts, and a bit of the supernatural.
For those who aren’t fully familiar, Samhain is the ancient Celtic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the start of winter’s darker, colder days. Over time, Samhain’s customs became the foundation for what we now celebrate as Halloween. Take, for instance, the tradition of carving turnips to ward off evil spirits. When Irish immigrants brought this custom to America, they swapped turnips for the easier-to-carve pumpkins, giving us the jack-o’-lantern we know today. This change ties back to the story of Stingy Jack, an Irish folk figure who tricked the Devil and was condemned to roam the earth with a lantern made from a carved turnip. In a way, An Féile Eile brings these older traditions back into focus, giving both locals and visitors a chance to explore the “Other” side of Samhain — from mythical creatures and messages to ancestors to lively celebrations of all things eerie.
Key Events at An Féile Eile
The festival had plenty on offer, with activities and events that really captured the spirit of Samhain. Here’s a look at some of the highlights:
The Hare Effigy at Grilse Gallery
The festival kicked off with the unveiling of a hare effigy by the River Laune. Crafted from wood, willow, and paper, the hare was symbolic in more ways than one — in Irish folklore, hares are believed to have connections to the Otherworld, and they’re often seen as shapeshifters. Actor John C. Reilly attended the unveiling, adding a bit of star power to the event. Visitors were invited to write messages to their ancestors, which they could tuck into the hare’s small house at its base. On Halloween night, those messages would be sent off in a dramatic finale.
Effigy Burning on Halloween Night
As October 31 rolled around, the hare effigy was given a proper send-off. A procession led by keening women moved towards the riverbank, where the effigy was set alight, symbolically carrying those messages from the living to the ancestors on the other side. There’s something special about a community gathering around a bonfire by the Laune, especially when it involves tradition, mystery, and a touch of fire-lit magic.
Storytelling by Eddie Lenihan
Irish storytelling legend Eddie Lenihan made an appearance at Sheila Bun’s, weaving tales of fairies, the Other Crowd, and all manner of Irish folklore. He was introduced by Seán O’Laoghaire, a local storyteller, setting the stage for an evening that reminded everyone why our oral traditions are still so powerful. Eddie’s stories drew a crowd, and his unique style brought a bit of the Otherworld to life.
Interactive Storytelling for Kids
An Féile Eile wasn’t all dark and mysterious. Actor Seán McGillicuddy led a family-friendly storytelling session for children, taking them through the history of Samhain with spooky tales and fun interactions. The kids arrived in costume, eager to join in with their own ghost stories, and the event was a hit for families wanting to celebrate Samhain together.
Workshops and Unique Experiences
The festival didn’t just stick to storytelling. It included hands-on workshops that let people dive into traditional crafts and practices. One standout was the fermentation workshop with Savage Craic, where participants learned about fermentation as a “radical queer act” — complete with medicinal mocktails and fungi-powered synth music, of course. There was also ciseóg basket weaving, tarot reading, and wet felting, each giving attendees a taste of Samhain’s more creative side.
The Divil’s Disco at 10 Bridge Street
The festival closed with the Divil’s Disco, a Halloween costume ball for the grown-ups. Held at 10 Bridge Street, the event encouraged everyone to dress up and dance the night away. Costumes ranged from spooky to creative, and the atmosphere was electric, a fitting end to a week filled with folklore, fun, and a touch of the unknown.
A Festival for Killorglin’s Community and Beyond
An Féile Eile has added something fresh to Killorglin’s line-up of festivals. Like Puck Fair, K-FEST, Biddy’s Day (Imbolc), and May Day (Bealtaine), this new celebration brings people together — but with its own focus on the “Other” and the mystical elements of Irish culture. And for those willing to venture a bit further, SeaFest in nearby Cromane offers yet another flavour of the rich festival scene in our area. An Féile Eile complements these established events, rounding out Killorglin’s calendar with a festival dedicated to marking Samhain, connecting with Irish traditions, and exploring our shared heritage in a unique way.
If you’re interested in experiencing Samhain traditions firsthand or just want to enjoy something a bit out of the ordinary, An Féile Eile is a festival worth keeping an eye on. As it grows, it’s set to become a staple of Killorglin’s cultural landscape — a welcome addition for locals and visitors alike who appreciate a good story, a warm fire, and a bit of mystery.
Here’s to more folklore, more fire, and more community spirit as we look forward to An Féile Eile’s next year.
All photographs in this article are taken by Dave Ryan and are copyright protected.