Kilkenny's Toil & Trouble

A four-day Samhain festival in Kilkenny with family experiences, folklore, performances, and outdoor animation.

Good to know

Dates
Thu 29 Oct 2026 – Sun 1 Nov 2026
Where
Kilkenny (Outdoors)Directions
Cost
Free
Ages
Suits all ages
See event details

Check the organiser’s page for the latest attendance details before travelling.

What to expect

Toil & Trouble is inspired by the extraordinary story of Alice Kyteler and Petronilla de Meath and one of Europe’s most infamous medieval witchcraft trials. Rooted in authentic witchcraft history and Irish Samhain traditions, the festival celebrates Kilkenny’s rich heritage through stories of folklore, myth, magic and the enduring power of place in one of Ireland’s most spectacular medieval cities.

Over four days, Toil & Trouble transforms Kilkenny into a stage for performances, literary events, family experiences, and outdoor animation. Where history meets imagination, visitors can discover the magic, mystery and power of stories that still resonate today through a programme of music, folklore, creativity and cultural experiences.

More information

Time to allow
half a day
Listed by
Fáilte Ireland Events

Categories

  • Festival

Family practicalities

  • Pram-friendly (likely)
  • Step-free access (likely)
  • Café on site (likely)
  • Toilets (likely)

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Location

Kilkenny

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