A brand-new festival experience is coming to County Carlow this Halloween weekend as The Big Barn Bash - Carlow's Family Food Festival makes its debut at Coppenagh House Farm on Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November 2026.
Taking place from 11.00am to 5.00pm daily, The Big Barn Bash will bring together the very best of Carlow's food culture, family entertainment, outdoor activities and farming heritage in one exciting festival experience.
Visitors can enjoy live cookery demonstrations featuring renowned chefs Rachel Allen, Edward Hayden and Virgin Media presenter Deric Ó hArtagáin, explore a vibrant artisan Food Zone showcasing local producers, participate in family-friendly activities in the Active Zone, and enjoy a dedicated Kids Experience packed with farm-themed fun, games and entertainment.
The festival will also feature the inaugural Coppenagh Coo 5km Carlow Chase, a fun community event for runners, walkers and families, kicking off the festival weekend in style.
The Big Barn Bash is delivered through a partnership between Carlow County Council, Carlow Tourism, Active Carlow and Coppenagh House Farm, with support from Fáilte Ireland.
Launching the event, Cllr. Paul Doogue, Leas-Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council, said:
"The Big Barn Bash is a fantastic addition to Carlow's festival calendar and perfectly reflects the strengths that make our county such a special place to visit. It celebrates our outstanding food producers, our farming heritage, our vibrant communities and our beautiful countryside. Events like this create valuable economic opportunities for local businesses while showcasing Carlow to new audiences. I am delighted to support the launch of what promises to become one of the county's premier family festivals."
Eileen O'Rourke, Chief Executive of Carlow Tourism, said the festival represents an important opportunity to grow Carlow's tourism offering:
"Experiential festivals are increasingly important in attracting visitors seeking authentic destinations and memorable experiences. The Big Barn Bash combines food, farming, family entertainment and outdoor activity in a unique way that reflects the identity of County Carlow. It will encourage visitors to stay longer, explore more of the county and support local tourism and hospitality businesses. We are excited to see this new event take its place within Carlow's tourism calendar."
Highlighting the value of the event to the local food and tourism sectors, Ms. O'Rourke added:
"The festival will provide an important platform for local food producers, growers, hospitality businesses and tourism operators to showcase the incredible quality and diversity of what Carlow and the South East have to offer. It is an excellent example of how collaboration can create meaningful opportunities for rural enterprise while delivering a fantastic visitor experience."
Ciara Stanley of Coppenagh House Farm said she was delighted to welcome visitors to the family-run farm for the inaugural event.
"We are incredibly proud to host the first Big Barn Bash at Coppenagh House Farm. As a family farm, we are passionate about connecting people with food, farming and the countryside. This festival is all about bringing families together to enjoy a great day out while experiencing the very best of local produce, outdoor activities and rural life. We cannot wait to welcome visitors from Carlow and beyond to enjoy everything that the festival has to offer."
She added:
"Coppenagh House Farm has always been about creating experiences that celebrate food, family and community. The Big Barn Bash is a natural extension of that vision and we are excited to work alongside our partners to create a truly memorable event for visitors of all ages."
Ticket Information
Family Ticket (2 Adults & 2 Children): €40 per day
Adult Ticket: €15
Child Ticket: €10
Children Under 3: Free
Festival admission includes access to all main attractions, entertainment zones, cookery demonstrations, family activities and live entertainment.
Participants in the Coppenagh Coo 5km Carlow Chase who are wearing their official event medal will receive free admission to The Big Barn Bash on both festival days.
Advance booking is strongly recommended. For further details go to Home | The Big Barn Bash or follow us on facebook on https://www.facebook.com/TheBigBarnBash