Craving a hit of crisp autumn air?

The 2025 Harvest Fest at CECAS in Leap is the perfect way to celebrate the season with a gang of friends or the family.

Taking place on Saturday, September 27th from 12pm–6pm, the festival blends wholesome fun with a touch of rural charm — think hands-on workshops, seasonal activities, and plenty of opportunities to slow down and reconnect with nature.

For just €5 entry (kids go free!), you can spend the day sampling heirloom apples, pressing your own fresh juice to bring home, and letting the little ones dive into fun, seasonal games and crafts.

Add in a cosy pop-up café, local shops, and the chance to wander the beautiful CECAS grounds, and you’ve got yourself the ideal autumn day out — equal parts chill and cheerful.

All-Day Activities include:

• Apple Identification & Pressing: Bring apples from home for expert identification, sample heirloom varieties, and try your hand at the Clonakilty Community Apple Press. Bring your own bottles to take home fresh, organic juice.
• 12pm: Gathering Basketry Materials – Sonia Caldwell of Kilcoe Studios
• 1pm: The Fite Fuaite of Flax – Kathy Kirwan
• 2pm: Kraut & About: Sauerkraut & Fermentation – Chloe Dempsey
• 3pm: Heritage & Biodiversity Walk – Mark Robins and Conor O’Buachalla of Gormu
• 4pm: Growing Native Trees from Seed – Hazel Hurley, Trees Please
• 5pm: Foraged Ink Making – Samuel Keane

A number of ticketed workshops, including Kokedema Moss Balls with Liz O’Leary (€10) and Rush Baskets with Sonia Caldwell (€20) are also available and you can check out the full list and buy tickets here.

Photos: Stephen Bean