Samhain Parade of Light Returns to Killeagh this October Mid-Term Break
Killeagh's Samhain Parade of Light returns this October mid-term break, with lantern workshops, a torch-lit woodland procession and a new Cailleach figure.
The Samhain Parade of Light returns to Killeagh this October mid-term break, with a week of artistic activity at Greywood Arts leading to a torch-lit procession through the woods. The parade will feature music, storytelling and the ceremonial burning of a boat.
Now in its fifth year, the event is led by artists Caoimhe Dunn and Martin O'Donoghue and has grown into one of the East Cork arts centre's most anticipated community traditions.
The celebration begins with three family lantern-making workshops over the October Bank Holiday Weekend, with further classes for adults during the week. The public is then invited to take part in the Parade of Light, which will be co-ordinated and led by master of ceremonies O'Donoghue.
This year brings a new feature to the programme. Helena Breathnach, a keeper of old lore, will introduce a Cailleach, the mythic hag figure of Celtic tradition, to the procession. Lanterns made in the workshops with Ms Dunn will provide a sea of colour and light as the parade travels from the arts centre to the nearby Glenbower woods.
Jessica Bonenfant, Creative Director, Greywood Arts:
"Samhain has always been about the turning of the year - the crossing from light into dark, and the moment when the veil between this world and the next is at its thinnest.
Each year we try to build something that feels meaningful and moving; a way of honouring that old tradition while creating a new memory for the people who come and walk with us."
Greywood Arts was established in 2017 as a multidisciplinary artist residency and has since expanded to offer participatory educational and cultural experiences to the local community in East Cork. Samhain is complemented earlier in the year by the May Sunday Festival, which celebrates local creativity, history and ecology at Bealtaine.
Martin O'Donoghue:
"Weaving through different worlds, the Parade of Light will be a procession of half-otherworldly humans of all ages in a costumed chant, marching behind An Grianstad, a magic fire ship that will set the night aflame as we celebrate An Samhain, Killeagh-style."
Further information about Samhain and Greywood Arts is available at greywoodarts.org.
