Street artists Macnas set to take Kilkenny by storm this Halloween
Cailleach, a breathtaking new street spectacle is a highlight of the Toil & Trouble Festival
Inspired by the true story of Petronilla de Meath and Alice Kyteler, Macnas presents Cailleach, a breathtaking new street spectacle reclaiming the power of the women persecuted in Ireland’s first witch trial in 1324 as part of this year’s Toil & Trouble Festival.
Petronilla, once burnt at the stake, now leads and controls the energies of fire through the streets of Kilkenny. She is accompanied by ecstatic townsfolk, marching behind her to the rhythm of their drums, while Alice commands the scene from behind, giving life with the help of her mysterious healers.
Cailleach combines Macnas’ signature large-scale puppetry with incredible performances and special effects to create an image of Petronella and Alice as influential women of their time, while reimagining the figure of the witch as a revitalising force shaping the elements, land, and stories around her.
The procession will take place from John Street to Canal Square at 6.30pm on Halloween night.
Toil & Trouble festival
Step back in time to 1324 and uncover the chilling tale of Ireland’s first Witchcraft Trial brought to life through Kilkenny’s newest festival - Kilkenny's Toil & Trouble.
Discover the spells cast on society as we delve into the infamous Kilkenny Witch Trials and learn about the powerful and wealthy Alice Kyteler, accused of witchcraft and heresy by the Bishop of Ossory, Richard Ledrede. Alongside Alice’s dramatic tale, explore the tragic fate of Petronella de Meath, the first person in Ireland to be executed for witchcraft.
The festival aims to commemorate the 702nd anniversary of these dark events through immersive storytelling and engaging experiences and explores the societal fears, power struggles, and personal stories that shaped this notorious trial.
Highlights
Other festival highlights include The Red Book of Ossory Exhibition at St Canice’s Cathedral. This meticulously handcrafted model of the 14th century manuscript explores medieval Kilkenny through the lens of Bishop Richard Ledrede, who wrote the book 700 years ago.
Another event which is likely to prove to be a hit for anyone interested in witchcraft is The Juniper Tree movie screening with live score at the Watergate Theatre on October 29 at 8pm. Loosely based on the Brothers Grimm fairy tale of the same name, The Juniper Tree stars Björk in her first feature-film performance and premiered to glowing reviews at the Sundance Film Festival in 1991.
Sing Along Social also presents the Witches Ball at the Watergate Urban Park and a medieval and contemporary concert at St Canice’s Cathedral on Friday (October 30) and a screening of Bridget, the film which tells the story of Bridget Cleary, who was burned to death by her husband in 1895 who had convinced himself, and then her family and neighbours, that she had been taken by the fairies and replaced with a changeling. The trial that followed in Clonmel was reported around the world, and the case became known internationally as the last witch burning in Ireland.
Toil & Trouble Festival runs in Kilkenny from October 29 to November 1. content.kilkenny.ie/toilandtrouble/