The Wheel of Year Festival is an exciting, new opportunity for local communities in East Clare to come together to celebrate the Celtic festivals while showcasing the collaboration between members of the Visit East Clare network, local businesses, and the local community.
Samhain
The inaugural Tourism East Clare celebration of Samhain involves a series of events taking place between the 31st of October and the 4th of November across East Clare.
Highlighted events in the Samhain Festival include a foraging walk, pickling and preserving demonstration, and storytelling sessions in local libraries across East Clare. There will also be an adult storytelling competition with renowned seanchaí, Eddie Lenihan.
Samhain marks an important point in the Celtic calendar, marking the end of the Celtic year and celebrating the beginning of a new one. During Samhain, the division between the physical world and the otherworld was believed to be at its thinnest, allowing spirits to pass through. This tradition forms the historical basis for modern Halloween celebrations.
Samhain Programme of Events
Storytelling for Kids (6 - 10 years)
Date: 2:30pm - 3:30pm, Tuesday, 31st October
Location: Tulla Library
Enjoy some Storytelling with Ruth Marshall. This session is for children aged 6 - 10 years.
Halloween costumes are encouraged!
Cost: Free
Booking Essential: Text or WhatsApp Arlene on 086 358 6293.
Storytelling for Kids (Aged 10+)
Date: 3:30pm - 4:30pm, Tuesday, 31st October
Location: Tulla Library
Enjoy some storytelling on Irish mythology. This session is for children over the age of ten.
Halloween costumes are encouraged!
Cost: Free
Booking Essential: Text or WhatsApp Arlene on 086 358 6293.
Guided Foraging Walk
Date: 10:30am - 12:30pm, Thursday, 2nd November
Location: Scariff Town Park, Scariff
On this 1km Guided Foraging Walk attendees will learn about how our ancestor lived, what they ate at different times of the year, and how you too can begin the wonderful journey of wild foraging.
This is a joint initiative of Visit East Clare and the College of Further Education and Training, Scariff.
Cost: €5 - Adults only.
Book: Text or WhatsApp Arlene on 086 358 6293.
Saving, Dyring, and Preserving Seeds
Date: 2pm-4pm, Thursday, 2nd November
Location: College of Further Education, Scariff
This demonstration will show you easy and practical ways to save, dry, and preserve your seeds so that they can be used throughout the year. Lena will also give you tips on how to use them in your own recipes.
This is a joint initiative of Visit East Clare and the College of Further Education and Training, Scariff.
Cost: €5 - Adults only.
Book: Text or WhatsApp Arlene on 086 358 6293.
Pickling and Preserving Demonstration
Date: 10am - 1pm, Friday, 3rd November
Location: East Clare Community Co-op, Scariff
Lena Hughes will lead this demonstration that will show you some great pickling food preservation techniques that capture the richness of seasonal food to last throughout the year.
This is a joint initiative of Visit East Clare and the College of Further Education and Training, Scariff.
Cost: €5 - Adults only
Book: Text or WhatsApp Arlene on 086 358 6293.
Fun Samhain Crafts & Storytelling
Date: 12pm - 2pm, Friday, 3rd November
Location: Cnoc an Gaoithe Comhaltas Cultural Centre, Tulla
An afternoon of fun with Samhain and Halloween crafts, storytelling, music, and dancing for children between the ages of 6 and 14. Feel free to attend in your best Halloween costume!
Cost: €5
Book: via Eventbrite
Samhain Storytelling Competition
Date: 8pm - 10pm, Saturday,4th November
Location: Cnoc an Gaoithe Comhaltas Cultural Centre
Take part in our Samhain Storytelling Competition, that is open to anyone over the age of 16. Tell your tale of Irish mythology, traditions, or a spooky ghost story.
The competition will be judged by Clare-based Seanachaí, Eddie Lenihan. Eddie Lenihan will also tell a tale or two on the night.
Cost: €10 entry fee for storytellers. Audience entry is free,
Book: via Eventbrite
