New, community-led arts festival Ferdia Festival coming to Ardee

The 2025 Ferdia Festival, a vibrant new one-day celebration of arts, music and community in Ardee, takes place on Saturday, 1st November, with activities happening throughout the town.

The theme of the inaugural event is Samhain and Halloween, with Ardee itself taking centre stage.

Visitors can expect roaming street arts and activities hosted in outdoor spaces and indoor venues, including St Mary’s Church, Ardee Library, the historic Hatch’s Castle, the School of Music, and the Dee Hub.

Funded by Louth County Council Arts Office and the Arts Council of Ireland, the festival features a mix of activities for all ages, including art workshops, a Halloween film screening, a pop-up museum, circus performances, live music, and theatre.

Professional arts performers will appear alongside community-led arts activities like dance, children’s art workshops, a spooky trail and more!

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In the lead-up to the festival, the children of Ardee are encouraged to participate in a Schools Art competition, while Ardee businesses are also invited to embrace the Samhain and Halloween theme by decorating their shop windows.

Support is provided through the Ardee Traders Association, in partnership with Louth County Council.

Cllr Seán Kelly, Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, said: “Louth County Council is delighted to support the inaugural Ardee Ferdia Festival.

“This is a real community effort and follows months of planning by locals on the ground who have been supported by the Arts Office staff to deliver this one-day festival.

“It is great to see such a variety of community and professional arts being offered here and there is something for all ages, young and old.” 

Cllr Dolores Minogue, Cathaoirleach of Ardee Municipal District, said: “I am delighted to see this festival come to Ardee, a fantastic event that celebrates our community and offers something for all the family to enjoy.

“I would like to sincerely thank the entire committee for their hard work and dedication in bringing this wonderful event to life.
“It’s been a real team effort, and it’s great to see Ardee come together for such a positive occasion.”

The Ferdia Festival builds on Ardee’s tradition of arts programming in November, shifting the focus to include participation with the community and local heritage.

While the mid-Louth town has long hosted the Ardee Baroque Festival, this new initiative builds on this by engaging more local communities in the arts and creativity of the festival.

The festival’s name - Ferdia Festival - has been chosen to reflect Ardee’s rich creative and cultural heritage, and the festival committee, along with the Louth.

County Council Arts Office, hope that it will become a key annual event in the Ardee cultural calendar.

If you have any accessibility requirements, require information in an alternative format, or would like to volunteer on the day, contact the Louth County Council Arts Office at arts@louthcoco.ie or on 042 933 5457.

Full event details, timings, ticket information, and age guidance can be found on www.createlouth.ie/ferdia-festival