Celebrate Samhain Festival 25 at VISUAL with Poor Creature – a haunting, genre-blending folk trio reimagining songs that have travelled across centuries. Opening the night, local trad group Sound bring high-energy, heart-stirring music to set the stage for a powerful evening of myth and music.

Comprised of Ruth Clinton, Cormac MacDiarmada and John Dermody (members of acclaimed groups Landless and Lankum), Poor Creature breathe new life into centuries-old songs, blending Irish folk tradition with a contemporary, otherworldly sound. Their music honours the deep roots of Irish folk while reimagining it in startling, contemporary ways, weaving together themes of love, loss, history and the fantastical.

With haunting harmonies, atmospheric arrangements and a sound that drifts between the everyday and the otherworldly, Poor Creature promise a performance perfectly in tune with the spirit of Samhain.

Their debut album, All Smiles Tonight, released in July 2025 on River Lea Records, showcases this unique blend. The album’s first single, The Whole Town Knows, is accompanied by a video directed by Clinton and MacDiarmada.

Poor Creature’s sound – particularly in the context of contemporary Irish folk – offers something unique. There’s the gauzy, underwater, almost psychedelic seams of ‘Bury Me Not’ and ‘Adieu Lovely Erin’. ‘All Smiles Tonight’ and ‘Hicks’ Farewell’ nod to the influence of American folk/bluegrass acts like Doc Watson and the Louvin Brothers. These shifting sounds are made possible by producer John ‘Spud’ Murphy, who has produced all of Lankum’s albums, and worked with Junior Brother, ØXN, Pretty Happy, Ye Vagabonds as well as the final two albums by The Jimmy Cake, with whom John has played for over 20 years.

“There’s something about the everyday and the fantastical, being entangled, which I think Irish music does so well” explains Ruth. This also sums up All Smiles Tonight, moving through stories and loss and history to create an otherworldly and timeless album for the ages.

Join us for a spellbinding night of music, myth and celebration as VISUAL Carlow comes alive for Samhain Festival 25. Costumes are warmly encouraged (but not required). Whether cloaked in Halloween finery or simply ready to listen, you’ll be part of an evening where ancient tradition meets the contemporary of Irish folk.

Tickets can be purchased online, in person or over the phone at Box Office. Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Wheelchair users and any group over 8 persons should book tickets directly through Box Office. Further Terms and Conditions can be found at visualcarlow.ie/visit/booking-information.

Explore Samhain Festival 25 across Carlow:

Samhain Festival 25 at VISUAL
Samhain Festival 25 at Delta Centre
Samhain Festival 25 at The Library
Samhain Festival 25 at The Exchange
Samhain Festival 25 at Duckett's Grove