The Samhain spirit spreads across Carlow…
Beyond the walls of the festival’s main venues, Samhain Festival 26 spills out across Carlow, bringing live music, traditional sessions, folklore, film and family fun to venues throughout the county.
The Carlow Beo! programme keeps the music flowing, with free gigs, talks and sessions at Teach Dolmain, The Irishmans Bar, Lamberts Coffee House, Tully’s Bar and Scraggs Alley. From the opening session at Teach Dolmain to the final session at Tully’s Bar, expect a lively celebration of Carlow’s traditional music scene, with local musicians and performers coming together throughout the festival.
For a different kind of Samhain story, head to Askea Community Centre for Béaloideas Oíche Shamhna / Halloween: Customs, Traditions and Games presented by historian and speaker Sarah Myers, bringing the traditions and tales of Halloween to life.
Over at Carlow Town Hall, settle in for a Movie Night in partnership with the Carlow Local Community Safety Partnership and funded by Healthy Carlow. Designed as a safe and welcoming Halloween experience for families, the evenings will feature spooky movies, Halloween decorations and seasonal treats. Costumes are encouraged, but spaces are limited, so advance booking is essential.
Then, over Halloween weekend, head into the countryside for the Big Barn Bash at Coppenagh Farm – a family farm experience celebrating Carlow’s winter harvest, with the high-speed thrill of the Coo Race and cosy coffee in the wood-heated barn.
From traditional tunes and tales to spooky cinema and farmyard fun, Samhain Festival 26 at Fringe Venues brings the Samhain spirit into the heart of the community.
Thursday 22 October
9pm | The Carlow Session @ Teach Dolmain – Free
Friday 23 October
6pm | Carlow Beo! Gig with Laura Doherty and Bran Murphy and Session @ The Irishmans Bar – Free
7.30pm | Carlow Beo! Session @ The Irishmans Bar – Free
Saturday 24 October
3pm | Carlow Beo! Gig with Yvonne Bolton, Tricia Hutton and Claire Dunne @ Lamberts Coffee House – Free
5pm | Carlow Beo! Gig with Lisa De Buitleir, Niall McNally and Thomas O’Donoghue @ Tully’s Bar – Free
7pm | Carlow Beo! Session @ Tully’s Bar – Free
8pm | Béaloideas Oíche Shamhna / Halloween: Customs, Traditions and Games @ Askea Community Centre – Free*
Sunday 25 October
3pm | Carlow Beo! Talk with Dave Sheridan @ Teach Dolmain – Free
4pm | Carlow Beo! Gig with Dave Sheridan @ Teach Dolmain – Free
7pm | Carlow Beo! Gig with Damien McGuinness, Lorna McGuinness and Jason McGuinness @ Scraggs Alley – Free
8.30pm | Carlow Beo! Session at Scraggs Alley – Free
Monday 26 October – Bank Holiday
5pm | Carlow Beo! Closing Session @ Tully’s Bar – Free
Wednesday 28 October
6.30pm – 8.30pm | Movie Night @ Town Hall – €5 / Family of Four €15
Thursday 29 October
6.30pm – 8.30pm | Movie Night @ Town Hall – €5 / Family of Four €15
Saturday 31 October – Halloween
10am – 4pm | Big Barn Bash @ Coppenagh Farm – Car Pass €25 online / €30 on the day
Sunday 1 November
10am – 4pm | Big Barn Bash @ Coppenagh Farm – Car Pass €25 online / €30 on the day
*To reserve a place for Béaloideas Oíche Shamhna / Halloween: Customs, Traditions and Games, please contact 087 763 8695 between 6.00 p.m. and 9.00 p.m., Monday to Friday, no later than Saturday 17 October 2026.
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