Pagan Rave represents an innovative, ongoing performance-based project that reimagines traditional folk customs and seasonal rituals of Ireland for contemporary contexts. Rather than treating these traditions as static cultural artifacts to be preserved, the project approaches them as living practices that can be adapted and revitalised for current communities.

Taking as its foundation the costumed figures and characters from Irish and European folk theatre and seasonal festivals, Pagan Rave operates at the boundaries between past and present, tradition and innovation. The project seeks to embody the transformative and liberating aspects of masks and music in ceremonial contexts, exploring how these traditional elements can create meaningful communal experiences in contemporary society.

The project manifests in various forms and scales. Some events are large, community-oriented festivals involving scores of performer-participants and hundreds of spectators, creating immersive experiences that connect communities to seasonal rhythms and shared cultural heritage. Others are more intimate gatherings with smaller groups, focused on exploring ritual space through mask, music, and movement to access altered states of consciousness. Some manifestations are purely celebratory, emphasising communal enjoyment and festivity.

Pagan Rave maintains connections with related musical projects, including Aeons, an electronica band founded by Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, and the musical collective Mr Muntz. These collaborations demonstrate how traditional practices can find new expressions through contemporary media and performance styles.

This initiative exemplifies how mythological and ritual traditions remain vital through adaptation and reinterpretation, rather than through simple preservation. By engaging bodily, communally, and emotionally with traditional forms, Pagan Rave demonstrates the continuing relevance of ritual practices in creating meaningful shared experiences in modern contexts.