The Lú Festival of Light returns to Drogheda this October mid-term break, taking place from 25th to 28th October and 31st October to 3rd November.
For more information and updates on the Lú Festival of Light, please visit the website www.lufestivaloflight.com.
A firm highlight of the autumn calendar, Lú Festival of Light will again bewitch visitors this Halloween season. The dazzling light display will bring Drogheda to life, with audio visual shows that animate the regions mythological past. Projections on the towns historic buildings will tell the legendary stories of the Boyne through visuals and music. An initiative of Louth County Council, in partnership with Love Drogheda BIDS, Lú Festival of Light is supported by Fáilte Ireland and is part funded under the Fáilte Ireland Urban Animation Scheme.
Offering a free evening adventure where people can journey through time along the trail and discover the stories of Cú Chulainn, Lú, the Salmon of Knowledge, Boann, The Two Olivers and many more. This will all take place alongside an array of on-street performances including stilt walkers, face painters and fire breathers, together with cafes, bars and restaurants in the area staying open late to welcome visitors to the Town.
The illuminations focus on these magical stories that are rooted in the beautiful Boyne Valley region. Over eight days stunning illuminations will light up Drogheda’s Old Abbey, St Peters Church, St Dominic’s Bridge, and St Laurence’s Gate using the latest digital technology, projection, sound and animation to weave a compelling tale of our mythological and historical past.
Spectacular projections will adorn intricate stonework around Drogheda while illustrating the legendary tales of heroic warriors, mythical creatures, and ethereal landscapes that have woven themselves into the fabric of Drogheda's history.
Déan ceiliúradh ar ár dteanga agus ár gcultúrag 'Lú, Féile an tSolais' Oíche Shamhna 2024. This year the shows on the 31stof October will be delivered as Gaelige to coincide with the ‘Caint agus Comhrá’ taking place on the same night.
Adding to the success of the sensory hours which were introduced in 2023, these will return for 2024.
Additional events will include Drogheda Classical music together with the Vanburgh Quartet, author Dave Rudden and actor Grainne Rafferty, who will present a special show on the 1st of November in St Peter’s Church of Ireland, as well as a Window Decoration grant by Louth County Council to encourage retail and commercial business’ in Drogheda to dress their premises’ window as part of the Lú Festival of Light Festival.
Drogheda, gateway to the Boyne Valley was one of the first settlements in Ireland’s Ancient East and is home to many of Ireland’s ancient tales. The Boyne River flows through the heart of the town and this year’s festival will again feature a show on St Dominick’s Bridge.
Councillor Paddy McQuillan, Mayor of Drogheda said: Lú Festival of Light is a fantastic festival. It strives to be the biggest Halloween Festival in the Country. All credit to those involved in this great event. Last years attendance surpassed 70,000 visitors and we expect this to be surpassed this year. I invite everyone to come to experience this years Festival’.
Thomas McEvoy, Director of Services, Louth County Council added: “Louth County Council are delighted to host Lú Festival of Light for a third year. The Lú Festival of Light is a unique addition to Drogheda’s Arts and Cultural calendar of events and follows on from several excellent creative attractions in the area including the recently launched Destination Town wayfinding signs. This year’s festival will feature elements of our mythological and historical past which is deeply rooted in the history of the Boyne Valley.”
Trevor Connolly, Love Drogheda BIDs, said: We are looking forward to welcoming back thousands of visitors to our town for the third instalment of the premium Halloween festival in the northeast, Lú Festival of Light. There will be a huge amount on offer over the festival period with a series of events in venues across the town. We hope that there will be a good support for those businesses who are seeking to provide additional entertainment.
Lú Festival of Light, brings our streets and the River Boyne alive with colour, light and a sprinkling of magic and we are encouraging everyone to come into Drogheda and invite friends and family from across Ireland to celebrate! The illustrations dive into The Boyne Valley’s extensive mythological past, bringing to life these fascinating stories for the next generations.”
ILLUMINATION INFORMATION
OLD ABBEY
The Old Abbey has an exhilarating new projection installation for 2024. The innovative artwork will transform the bell tower into a towering canvas, where vivid projections bring to life the tales of ancient gods, legendary heroes, and mystical creatures that have graced the folklore of Drogheda for centuries. As night falls, the bell tower will become a portal to another world, where stunning visuals will dance across its surface, immersing spectators in a realm of magic and wonder.
ST PETER'S CHURCH
Prepare to be transported through time and mythology with an exhilarating projection of new stories for 2024. This mapped installation will grace the historic St. Peter's Church, located in the heart of Drogheda. This immersive experience will celebrate the heritage of Drogheda and St Oliver Plunkett. Visitors are invited to embark on a journey where the past is brought to life, leaving them spellbound and in awe of the history that resides within the Town walls.
ST LAURENCES GATE
An extraordinary new projection installation for 2024 will embrace the captivating Irish mythical stories and be brought to life upon the iconic Laurence's Gate in Drogheda. With cutting-edge artwork this ancient monument will transform into a storytelling canvas. As dusk descends Laurence's Gate will emerge as a gateway to a realm of enchantment and folklore. The projections seamlessly blend with the gate's architectural details, creating a breathtaking fusion of past and present, myth and reality. Visitors will be transported into a world of wonder, where the boundaries between imagination and the tangible blur, and where the rich tapestry of Irish mythology unfurls before their eyes.
ST DOMINICK'S BRIDGE
A spectacular water screen projection installation will grace the magnificent St. Dominic's Bridge. This ground-breaking artwork will combine the fluidity of water with the enchanting narratives of Drogheda's Irish mythical stories, creating a spellbinding fusion of nature and folklore. Prepare to be captivated by this harmonious marriage of water and light, as St. Dominic's Bridge becomes a gateway to a world of legends and wonders that will leave you in awe of the power of storytelling.
More details are on www.lufestivaloflight.com
