Púca Festival 2025 earns EarthCheck EventCheck status, showcasing leadership in sustainable tourism, community impact, and ISO 20121-aligned practices.
The Púca Festival in Athboy and Trim, Co Meath, has been officially awarded EarthCheck’s EventCheck designation for 2025.
This sets a new benchmark for sustainability in Irish cultural events. Aligned with ISO 20121, the international standard for Event Sustainability Management Systems (ESMS), this recognition highlights the festival’s commitment to environmental stewardship, community engagement, and responsible tourism.
“This achievement showcases how Irish festivals can lead the way in sustainability and deliver exceptional experiences that benefit both people and place”
Developed by Fáilte Ireland in partnership with Meath County Council, the Púca Festival celebrates Ireland as the birthplace of Halloween through a four-day immersive experience across Trim and Athboy, County Meath.
This year’s theme “Connecting with Our Roots,” invites visitors to explore emotional and cultural ties to the land and ancestral traditions during Samhain.
Responsible tourism
“We are pleased to announce that the Púca Festival has been officially recognised as a Sustainable Festival for 2025,” said Ciara Sugrue, Head of Festivals and Events at Fáilte Ireland.
“This recognition reflects Fáilte Ireland’s ongoing commitment to the sustainable development of tourism and the enhancement of the visitor experience across Ireland,” Sugrue said.
“By partnering with EarthCheck, a global leader in sustainability and destination management, the Púca Festival has met specific criteria that set a benchmark for responsible tourism. This achievement showcases how Irish festivals can lead the way in sustainability and deliver exceptional experiences that benefit both people and place.”
In 2024, the festival made significant progress across six priority areas:
- Energy: Transitioned to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuel for generators and lighting towers, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 90 percent.
- Waste: Maintained zero waste to landfill through local contractor collaboration and a reusable cup scheme, diverting more than 8,000 plastic cups annually.
- Transport: Introduced new bus routes and shuttle services to reduce private car use.
- Supply Chain: Strengthened vendor sustainability policies with increased monitoring and on-site checks.
- Accessibility and Inclusion: Improved facilities across venues and selected inclusive sites to ensure broad participation.
- Biodiversity: Integrated community workshops and student-led horticulture displays.
Sustainability efforts also extended to community support. In 2024, Meath Camogie partnered with the festival on a bottle return scheme, raising €3,000 for their club. The initiative will return in 2025 to build on its success.
The Spirit of Sustainability Hub, launched in 2024 in partnership with Meath County Council, will also return. This dedicated space hosts talks, workshops, and educational displays, bringing together community groups, educators, and festivalgoers.
David Gilroy, Sustainability and Stakeholder Engagement Manager for Púca Festival, said the award reflects a long-term commitment.
“This award reflects our commitment to raising the bar year-on-year. At Púca Festival, we believe world-class cultural celebrations should honour both people and the planet. With creativity, collaboration, and care, we’re proving that great festivals don’t have to cost the earth,” Gilroy said.
“The future of Púca Festival and festivals everywhere is as green as it is bright. Sustainability is not just a side note; it’s a core value shaping how we plan, deliver, and grow every aspect of the festival. Our goal is simple: to create unforgettable experiences that tread lightly on the earth.”
Púca Festival 2025 runs from Thursday 30 October to Sunday 2 November. The programme features performances and workshops celebrating Irish myth, music, and heritage. Highlights include Block Rockin’ Beats, Groove Armada DJ Set, The 2 Johnnies, Blindboy, Kíla, Qween, The Dublin Gospel Choir, Moonlight: The Philip Lynott Enigma, Jason Byrne, Emma Doran, Young Hot Guys, and Davina Devine.
Main image (from left): Leah Devine, Hazel O Reilly Higgins, Ellen Murray, Anne O’Brien, Kieran Kehoe (CEO of Meath County Council), Leona Flynn (Fáilte Ireland), Lauren Donegan and Maeve Clinch
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