Samhain spirit ignites with new Ardee community arts festival
By ArdeePost Reporter
New Ardee Arts Festival to Bring Samhain Spirit to Life This November
A brand-new community-led arts festival is set to make its debut in Ardee this autumn, promising a vibrant celebration of creativity, music, and local culture throughout the town.
The inaugural Ardee Arts Festival will take place on Saturday, November 1st, 2025, transforming the town into a bustling hub of artistic energy with a full day of free, family-friendly events inspired by the Samhain and Halloween season.
Funded by the Arts Council of Ireland and supported by the Louth County Council Arts Office, the festival invites everyone — from lifelong locals to first-time visitors — to join in a day of art, performance, and community connection.
An Ardee Town-Wide Celebration of Creativity
Events will unfold across multiple locations including Ardee Castle, St. Mary’s Church, Ardee Library, Hatch’s Castle, the Dee Hub, and the School of Music. From face painting and workshops to street performances and live music, the festival will highlight the best of Ardee’s artistic talent while embracing the town’s history and Samhain folklore.
Festival highlights include:
- 10:30 The House with a Clock in Its Walls (2019). Ardee Library
- 10:30 Pumpkin Carving and Decorating. Dee Hub Book Here
- 11:00 Pop-Up Museum of Ardee Town. Ardee Day Care Centre
- 11:45 Wand-Making. Dee Hub Book Here
- 13:00 T-shirt Design. Dee Hub Book Here
- 14:00 Fruity n Dishy Workshops. School of Music
- 14:00 Face Painting. School of Music
- 14:30 A Life Among the Dead – Talk and Q and A Time. Ardee Library
- 15:00 Potion making and spells for kids (Neurodiverse friendly). Hatch’s Castle
- 15:30 Potion making and spells for kids. Hatch’s Castle
- 17:00 Ferdia Fest Freaky Trail (Neurodiverse friendly). Bridge Street
- 17:00 Kieran Gallagher and the Skeleton Band. Ardee Castle
- 17:30 Ferdia Fest Freaky Trail. Bridge Street
- 18:30 INTO THE DARK. Ardee Town Centre Book Here
- 19:30 Zombie Flash Mob and LED Circus & Fire Performers. St Mary’s Church
- 20:00 Glas Quartet present Nightmare on Market Street. St Mary’s Church Book Here
There will also be a Pop-Up Museum of Ardee Town at the Ardee Day Care Centre, and an intriguing talk and Q&A session titled A Life Among the Dead at Ardee Library (2:30pm).
As dusk falls, the town will come alive with “INTO THE DARK”, a mysterious immersive performance that will take over the Ardee Town Centre at 6:30pm.
Art, Education, and Ardee Community at Its Core
In the weeks leading up to the event, local schools are invited to take part in a Schools Art Competition, encouraging children to explore creativity through the Samhain theme.
Meanwhile, businesses are being encouraged to participate in a Shop Window Scheme, decorating their windows with Halloween-themed displays — an initiative supported by the Ardee Traders Association and Louth County Council to enhance the festive atmosphere across the town.
A Festival by the People, for the People
The festival is proudly community-led, designed not just to entertain but to connect people through shared experiences and creative expression.
Organisers are also calling on local residents to get involved by volunteering on the day. Those interested can contact Volunteer Louth at 📞 042 939 3934.
For accessibility queries or general information, the Arts Office can be reached at 📧 arts@louthcoco.ie or by phone at 042 933 5457.
Looking Ahead
The Ardee Arts Festival is set to become a new cultural highlight for Mid-Louth, showcasing the town’s creativity, talent, and community spirit — while celebrating the ancient Irish festival of Samhain in true Ardee style.
“This is about bringing people together through the arts, celebrating what makes Ardee unique, and welcoming everyone to share in the magic of creativity,” said a spokesperson from Louth County Council’s Arts Office.
With its mix of music, workshops, performances, and folklore, the event promises to be a spellbinding start to what organisers hope will become an annual tradition for the people of Ardee.