Samhain Irish Festival
Traditional Irish music festival in Chadrac
About Samhain Festival
The Samhain Irish Festival is a traditional Irish music festival organized every autumn in Chadrac, Haute-Loire, by the association Triple Stout. Held around the Celtic festival of Samhain, this friendly event offers concerts, open sessions for all musicians, master-classes, and an authentic Irish pub atmosphere with Guinness and darts. Created in 2023, it takes place at the Maison pour tous in Chadrac (La Couveuse), a stone's throw from Le Puy-en-Velay.
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The Samhain Festival: Celtic celebration in the heart of Haute-Loire
Each year, on the occasion of the Celtic festival of Samhain — the Celtic New Year marking the transition between the light and dark seasons — the town of Chadrac vibrates to the rhythm of traditional Irish music. The association Triple Stout, also known as Paddy's Friends, brings together enthusiasts, musicians, and the curious for a weekend of immersion in Irish culture.
A Rich and Accessible Program
The festival spans two days, around October 31st and November 1st, with a program designed for all audiences:
- Concerts: Several traditional and Celtic Irish music groups perform on stage in the evenings, featuring local and guest bands. Among the artists who have marked the early editions: Skyroad, Les Frères Bumpkins, Weasel, the duo Quéré & Vuidart, and the duo Pierre-Louis & Lucas.
- Open Sessions: During the day, starting at 2 PM, traditional Irish music sessions are open to all musicians, regardless of their level or instrument, in the pure tradition of pub sessions. These sessions are guided by the musicians of Paddy's Friends.
- Slow Sessions: Learning sessions for the Irish repertoire (reels, jigs, polkas) are offered for beginner and intermediate musicians, allowing them to discover traditional tunes at a reduced tempo.
- Master-classes: Irish music learning workshops are offered for all levels, led by experienced musicians.
- Pub Atmosphere: The festival recreates a true Irish pub atmosphere, with a beer bar (including the famous Guinness), darts tournaments, and Irish conviviality.
The Triple Stout Association: Irish Music Enthusiasts
The Triple Stout association, based in the Le Puy-en-Velay urban area, aims to promote traditional Irish music in Haute-Loire. Its members, grouped under the name Paddy's Friends, organize regular sessions and animate the local Celtic music scene. The Paddy's Friends group actively participates in the festival's concerts and sessions, accompanied by guest artists from the Irish trad scene. The festival also benefits from the participation of the Irish music class from the Le Puy-en-Velay conservatory.
La Maison pour tous de Chadrac: A Friendly Venue
The festival is held at the Maison pour tous de Chadrac, also known as La Couveuse, a cultural and social space located at 10, cours de la Liberté, a stone's throw from Le Puy-en-Velay. This human-sized venue offers a warm and intimate setting, perfectly suited to the friendly spirit of the festival. La Couveuse, Chadrac's social and cultural center, is a major player in local events and hosts numerous cultural events throughout the year.
Complementary Activities
Beyond music, the Samhain Festival offers activities related to Celtic culture: Celtic card readings, on-site catering with seasonal specialties, and a decorative ambiance evoking Ireland and the Samhain tradition. The festival thus offers a true Irish interlude in the heart of the volcanic Haute-Loire.
Samhain Festival — edition 2026
The 4th edition of the Samhain Irish Festival is scheduled for October 31st and November 1st, 2026, at the Maison pour tous de Chadrac (La Couveuse). The association Triple Stout is preparing another weekend of immersion in Irish culture with concerts, open sessions, master-classes, and an Irish pub atmosphere.
4th Edition — Samhain Irish Festival 2026
The Samhain Irish Festival returns for its 4th edition on Saturday, October 31st, and Sunday, November 1st, 2026, at the Maison pour tous de Chadrac (La Couveuse). The association Triple Stout (Paddy's Friends) is preparing a new festive weekend centered around traditional Irish music, on the occasion of the Samhain Celtic festival.
The expected program includes: concerts of Irish and Celtic music in the evenings, open sessions for all musicians starting at 2 PM, slow sessions for learning the repertoire, master-classes for all levels, and the unmissable Irish pub atmosphere with Guinness and darts.
The detailed program and prices will be announced later by the Triple Stout association and on the La Couveuse website.
Highlights Samhain Festival 2026
To Note for 2026
- Dates: Saturday, October 31st, and Sunday, November 1st, 2026
- Venue: Maison pour tous de Chadrac (La Couveuse), 10 cours de la Liberté, 43770 Chadrac
- 4th edition of the festival
- Concerts, sessions, master-classes, and Irish pub atmosphere
- Program and prices to be announced
Prices Samhain Festival 2026
Practical information — Samhain Festival
Practical Information
Location
Maison pour tous de Chadrac (La Couveuse)
10, cours de la Liberté
43770 Chadrac
La Couveuse is the social and cultural center of Chadrac, located in the town center, very close to Le Puy-en-Velay. All festival activities (sessions, master-classes, concerts) take place in this versatile, human-sized space.
Dates
The festival is held annually around the Samhain festival, on October 31st and November 1st (dates may vary slightly depending on the calendar). The festival takes place over two full days, from Friday to Saturday or Saturday to Sunday depending on the edition.
Schedules
Open sessions and master-classes during the day starting at 2 PM. Slow sessions for learning the Irish repertoire in the afternoon. Concerts in the evening starting at 8:30 PM. The festival is open continuously over the two days, with on-site catering available from opening.
Access
By car: Chadrac is a town bordering Le Puy-en-Velay, easily accessible via the N102 (from Clermont-Ferrand or Aubenas) and the RN88 (from Saint-Étienne or Mende). Free parking near the Maison pour tous, along the cours de la Liberté. From the A75 motorway (Le Puy-en-Velay exit), it's about 1.5 hours from Clermont-Ferrand.
By train: Le Puy-en-Velay SNCF station is located about 2 km away, served by TER trains from Saint-Étienne (1h15), Lyon (2h30 with a connection), and Clermont-Ferrand. Local transport bus lines connect the station to the center of Chadrac.
Prices
Daytime sessions are free and open to all musicians, regardless of level or instrument. Evening concerts are ticketed. Prices are announced each year on the social media of the Triple Stout association and on the La Couveuse website. Two-day pass packages may be offered depending on the edition.
Catering
On-site catering is available throughout the festival, with seasonal dishes. Bar with a selection of Irish beers, including the famous Guinness. The pub atmosphere is complemented by darts tournaments and friendly activities.
Accommodation
Le Puy-en-Velay and its surroundings offer a wide range of accommodation: hotels, bed and breakfasts, gîtes, and campsites. The Le Puy-en-Velay Tourist Office (tel: 04 71 09 38 41) can provide information on availability.
Contact
Association Triple Stout
La Couveuse — Maison pour tous de Chadrac
10, cours de la Liberté — 43770 Chadrac
Tel: 04 71 05 40 99
La Couveuse website: www.lacouveuse.fr
Facebook: LaCouveuseChadrac
Instagram: @lacouveuse43
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Travel to this festival
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Where does it take place — Samhain Festival
Maison pour tous de Chadrac (La Couveuse)
10, cours de la Liberté, 43770 Chadrac