Today, Halloween maybe synonymous with American culture featuring outrageously decorated houses, elaborate costumes and trick-or-treating, but the people of Ireland know where it all began – with the Irish festival of Samhain.
Samhain marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of the darker half of the year. Celebrated thousands of years ago by pre-Celtic Irish people, it was a time where the deceased were celebrated and the boundary between the living and the dead was believed to be at its thinnest. To ward off these otherworldly visitors, people would dress up to trick the dead and light bonfires so that they could relight the home fires as a tradition of renewal. The modern-day traditions of trick-or-treating, dressing up, and carving jack-o’-lanterns all stem from these ancient customs.
Thanks to its renewed popularity around the world, Halloween has also seen a massive resurgence in its “native” home on our shores – so much so that you and your family will be spoiled for choice when it comes to celebrating the spookiest season this year!
Village of Fear XV: The Nightmare Realm, Ireland’s Home of Halloween is back with more thrills
Prepare yourself for an experience that will push your limits and redefine what you know as fun, fear and thrills this Halloween as The Nightmare Realm unveils its immersive world at a brand new experience: Village of Fear XV.
Voted as Ireland’s Best Halloween Experience and Europe’s Best Scream Park, the Halloween haunt returns to Dublin’s historic City Market on Mary Street until 1 November with its biggest and most impressive event yet. Expect to find everything that haunts your nightmares, with five thrilling new mazes, interactive secret rooms, an expanded Museum of Horrors, a food court, and an even larger Halloweentown. See thenightmarerealm.ie for more information.
Irish Film Institute shares chilling programme for IFI Horrorthon 2024
The Irish Film Institute’s annual IFI Horrorthon is back, celebrating everything that lurks in the shadows, creeps through the hallways, and haunts the darkened corners of your vision. This year’s festival, which runs at the IFI, Dublin from 24 – 28 October promises an eerie mix of fresh frights, both Irish and international, alongside classic gems seldom seen on the big screen. With documentaries and filmmaker talks, a Horror Pub Quiz and live DJs, and the IFI Cafe-Bar serving up specially curated plates and cocktails across the weekend, the IFI is the biggest celebration of in-cinema scares anywhere in Ireland this Halloween.
A highlight of the year will be John Farrelly’s An Taibhse, the first Irish-language horror film. This chilling tale follows the haunting of the father-daughter duo of caretakers looking after a remote Georgian mansion in 1852, during the bleak winter months emerging from the Great Hunger. This screening will also include a special Q&A with John Farrelly and the cast following the film. See ifi.ie for booking details – you can also book in person at the IFI Box Office on Eustace Street, or on the phone at 01 6793477.
There’s another cracking lineup set for the Púca Festival 2024
This Halloween, folklore enthusiasts and festivalgoers can look forward to the highly anticipated return of the Púca Festival to Co Meath. Developed by Fáilte Ireland in partnership with Meath County Council, Púca celebrates Ireland as the birthplace of Halloween with an authentic, immersive, and otherworldly festival. Vibrant, fun, and contemporary but strongly rooted in tradition, Púca will take place in festival hubs Trim and Athboy in County Meath, from Thursday 31 October to Sunday 3 November 2024.
The mischievous Púca spirit comes alive with hilarious comedy acts and electrifying musical performances by top stars like Leftfield (DJ set), Jenny Greene, Gavin James, Kingfishr, Bell X1, The High Kings, Dermot Whelan, and many more. See pucafestival.com for more information.
The National Circus Festival is back in the Kingdom
Now in its 24th year, The National Circus Festival of Ireland (NCFI) returns to Tralee (31 Oct – 3 Nov) for four days of captivating homegrown and international talent. Visitors of all ages will enjoy performance workshops, colourful conventions, a spectacular parade, fireworks and more!
The NCFI is a celebration of contemporary circus that is thrilling and challenging and continues to set the standard for circus performance in Ireland. Each year, the NCFI sees some of the world’s most talented circus with jaw-dropping handpicked acts at the top of their game from all over the world, including Canada, Argentina, Italy, Spain, Germany, Sweden, Belgium and France who are set to thrill, delight and amaze the lucky audiences. View the full programme and purchase tickets from €5 – €70 at circusfestival.ie.
Longford’s Dead of Night 2024 set to take place across the Bank Holiday Weekend
Longford County Council has confirmed the return of the Dead of Night Festival for 2024, which kicks off from Saturday, 26 October and culminates a free procession and street spectacle on Bank Holiday Monday, 28 October.
To start the spooky season in Longford Town, Samhain Town family event takes place in Connolly Barracks on Saturday, 26 and Sunday, 27 October. This family event will see new activities including spooky entertainment acts and the return of the haunted house and the pumpkin patch. Samhain Town tickets are now available, with two sessions each day from 12pm – 2.30pm and 3pm – 5.30pm. Tickets are €5 per child and each children’s ticket includes free admission for one adult. Under 2s are free entry. See longfordcoco.ie for more details.
Willow lantern-making and drumming workshops for Samhain Parade at Glenbower Woods
With ghoulish creatures on the prowl this Halloween, Greywood Arts are hosting family friendly traditional lantern making workshops to light the way through Samhain. The hand crafted lanterns, which are made from willow and paper, will then become part of a Samhain Parade of Light and Music into Glenbower Woods on Saturday 2 November.
Continuing the tradition of our Celtic ancestors, Greywood Arts are running three workshops in lantern making for all ages on Monday 28 October and an evening session for adults and teenagers on Tuesday 29 October. Artist Caoimhe Dunn will be on hand to teach this beautiful craft of shaping wet willow branches to form tissue paper covered beacons. To keep away the spirits, the lanterns will be lit and will form the key element of this year’s Samhain Parade into Glenbower Woods in Killeagh on 2 November at 5:30pm. The procession will be led by a cadre of Celtic drummers.
Percussionest Fergal O’Connor will lead a drumming workshop before the parade from 4pm to 5pm on 2nd November and along with the lanterns, the drummers will guide the way into Glenbower Woods. The procession of light will be followed by hot chocolate and treats at Greywood Arts and all are welcome to take part in this magical, traditional Samhain parade. Click here for more information.
Have a perfectly spooky Halloween in Northern Ireland
There are more creepy activities and dastardly events happening in Northern Ireland than you can shake a scary stick at! Highlights include the infamous Derry Hallowe’en, a world-renowned spooktacular festival full of the city’s welcoming spirit. Join in the fun in October each year with parades, fancy dress and an impressive programme of events.
Across Belfast and the rest of Northern Ireland, get ready to immerse yourself in spooky thrills, ghoulish delights, and hauntingly good times. Whether you’re a fan of Footsteps in the Forest, looking to snap super cute pics at a Pumpkin Patch, or love nothing more than a Spooky Masquerade Art Workshop, this Halloween events roundup is your one-stop destination!
Click here for information on all the events.
Family fun abounds in Kildare this Halloween
Whether you’re a family seeking kid-friendly activities or a thrill-seeker ready for ghoulish fun, Co Kildare has something for everyone. Try out some super, spine-tingling experiences as well as some educational, arty and stylish ones to enjoy.
We’re recommending Clonfert Pet Farm which invites you to their spooky Halloween Festival. From 22 – 31 October, you and your little witches and wizards can enjoy a Pumpkin Patch for the kiddies, a Ghostly Train Ride, an Enchanted Scarecrow Woodland Walk and the Organic Pumpkin Village.
Insider tip: The café serves the most delicious treats and home bakes – yum! Click here for more information.
There’s fang-tastic fun this Halloween at Dublin Zoo
Dublin Zoo is set to be all treat, no trick this Halloween with a fang-tastic schedule of fun family activities lined up for the 29 – 31 October. What’s more, little boys and ghouls in costume go free on these dates as long as they’re with a full-paying adult! Visitors can avail of this offer both online and at the gate.
Activities will include a Spooky Trail, face-painting in the Farmhouse from 10am to 3pm, and creepy keeper talks throughout the day, all included in the cost of entry. If that wasn’t enough, Dublin Zoo are also hosting pumpkin making workshops on the 29-30 October. This ticketed event at the Haunted House (formerly Haughton House!) is for kids aged 4 to 15, with pumpkin decoration for ages 4 – 8 and pumpkin carving for 9 – 15 year olds.
Tickets must be pre-booked in advance on dublinzoo.ie. There will also be games and arts and crafts to keep the little terrors aged four and under occupied!
Bring the kids to explore two brand new haunted trails in Dublin
Step into a world of gentle frights and Halloween delights at The Haunted Trail, Ireland’s newest interactive Halloween experience happening this October at two historic locations: Malahide Castle & Gardens in Dublin, and Palmerstown House Estate in Kildare.
Families are invited to wander our outdoor trail, where they’ll encounter spooktacular scenes, with tricks and treats along the way. Enjoy spine-tingling surprises, eerie decorations, costumed characters, fantastic photo opportunities, and plenty of fun for all. The Haunted Trail is the perfect place to create unforgettable Halloween memories. See followfoxevents.ie for more information.
Jurassic Newpark promises a world of wicked fun this Halloween
From 26 October to 3 November 2024, embark on a magical journey where dinosaurs, wizards, and ghouls collide in a fun-filled, spooky ‘Wicked Walk’ adventure through the hotel’s renowned family attraction, Jurassic Newpark.
On the walk, you’ll experience fun, thrills and chills as dinosaurs come back to life, ghouls appear around every corner, and magical moments await in the brand-new wizard’s sanctorium. This enchanting event is open to all, not just hotel guests, though those staying at the hotel get complimentary access. As well as that, Jurassic Newpark is introducing a thrilling new addition – a world of wizardry where your young witches and wizards can brew potions, cast spells, and meet familiar magical characters. It’s an immersive experience that will leave little ones buzzing with excitement. Book your tickets at jurassicnewpark.com.
Kerry hotel hosts Ireland’s best-known and loved Seanachaí
Cahernane Hotel is thrilled to welcome the formidable Eddie Lenihan, one of Ireland’s last remaining seanchaí to share his collection of stories with guests on Halloween night, 31 October. Eddie’s expertise lies in the history and heritage of Ireland, and for the Halloween storytelling night, he’ll delve into the spookiest tales. Gather by the fireside as Eddie weaves ancient myths, Irish fairy stories, and encounters with saints, monsters, giants, and ghosts.
An interesting character, and a fantastic storyteller, Eddie has captured the imagination of audiences from Clare to China. At 6.00 pm on Halloween evening there will be a guided tour of the house and Eddie Lenihan’s stories will be begin later that evening at 9.30pm, after dinner. Non-residents and people in the local area are also welcome to come and listen to Eddie’s scary stories on Halloween night complimentary but pre booking is essential. See cahernane.com for more details.
Féile Samhain Halloween and Lantern Led Tours set for Hook Lighthouse this Halloween
Visitors will enjoy family tours of the 800-year-old lighthouse on offer but beware because the lighthouse grounds have been taken over by the púcaí of the Hook and unsightly findings might just terrify the finder…
Later in the evenings, every half hour on 27 and 28 October at 6pm, 6.30pm and 7pm, there are ghastly and ghoulish lantern-led tours of the old tower for adults and over 12’s only. This year sees the tower being invaded by a host of characters who all have their own agenda to scare you and have you leave the ghostly tower before you reach the top.
These tours are suitable for brave adults and braver kids (over 12 only – children must be accompanied by an adult) but are not for anyone of a nervous disposition. Pre-booking is essential at €10 per person online at hookheritage.ie.
Sink your teeth into a Bram Stoker Pie this Halloween
This Halloween, The Shelbourne’s No. 27 Bar & Lounge is offering a special promotion in honour of Bram Stoker, the iconic author of Dracula. Indulge in their delicious Bram Stoker Pie and a chilling lineup of Bloody Mary cocktails, available from 30 October through to Bram Stoker Day, 8 November.
The Bram Stoker Pie (€25), inspired by a dish featured in Dracula, has been specially crafted by The Shelbourne’s culinary team to pay tribute to Stoker’s Irish roots, his connection with the 200 year old Shelbourne Hotel and his gothic literary masterpiece. The pie is filled with tender beef cheek slow cooked until tender with button mushrooms, bacon lardons and vegetables, and it pairs perfectly with a choice of Bloody Mary cocktails, each priced at €17 and prepared with Absolut Vodka. Enjoy the combination of a Bloody Mary and Bram Stoker Pie for €39. Click here to book.
The spirit of Samhain is alive in Waterford this season
Ireland’s Oldest City is celebrating the ancient traditions of Samhain this season. Trace Halloween right back to its origins and you’ll find yourself in the times of pagan Ireland over 3,000 years ago – a time when the ancient festival of Samhain was celebrated to mark the beginning of winter and across Waterford City and county there are Samhain celebrations in abundance. The city’s streets will be awash with a fusion of spooky, spectral and bewitching events under the watchful eye of An Dearg Dua, a 2,000-year-old female vampire with binding Déise connections.
In the dead centre of the City, the award-winning guides from Waterford Treasures Museums will be offering a guided experience through its the dark history plus there will be After Dark tours available at the Irish Wake Museum. See visitwaterford.com for all the information you need.
Spooktacular Halloween festivities await at The Dunloe Hotel & Gardens
This Halloween season, The Dunloe Hotel & Gardens invites families to step into a world of magic and mystery as the hotel transforms into a haven of spooky delights. From Thursday, 24 October to Sunday, 3 November, the hotel will come alive with a spellbinding array of activities and spooktacular fun, making it the perfect destination for a memorable family getaway.
Children aged three and above can look forward to a week filled with Halloween-themed fun at The Dunloe Hotel & Gardens’ Kid’s Club. From arts and crafts to movie nights, spooky games, and a delicious kid’s buffet, the festive fun never ends. Little ones can also enjoy mystery parties and discos, dressed in their Halloween costumes, ready to embrace the seasonal spirit. Families can come together for a variety of Halloween inspired events, including pumpkin carving and family feud games, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. See thedunloe.com for more details.
Lú Festival of Light to illuminate Drogheda this Autumn
A firm highlight of the autumn calendar, Lú Festival of Light will again bewitch visitors this Halloween season. The dazzling light display will bring Drogheda to life, with audio visual shows that bring to life the regions mythological past. Projections on the towns historic buildings will tell the legendary stories of the Boyne through visuals and music.
Offering a free evening adventure where people can journey through time along the trail and discover the stories of Cú Chulainn, Lú, the Salmon of Knowledge, Boann, The Two Olivers and many more. This will all take place alongside an array of on-street performances including stilt walkers, face painters and fire breathers, together with cafes, bars and restaurants in the area staying open late to welcome visitors to the town. See lufestivaloflight.com for details.
Halloween trail for families at Waterford’s Mount Congreve Gardens
Families and visitors alike can rest assured that a fantastic Halloween awaits at Mount Congreve Gardens from 26 – 31 October this year.
In the Spooky Trail, little ones can follow an activity sheet and take to the trails to discover the spooky skeletons and ghastly ghouls who have invaded the gardens. Once they have completed the trail, they can choose a small pumpkin to take home. Don’t forget to dress up to help scare the ghouls away!
There’s also a beautiful woodland playground on-site where children can swing and jump and slide amid the woodland space on Monty’s Lawn under a canopy of ancient trees. They’ll be in their element on the basket swings, hammock swings, climbing tower with its adventure tunnel slide, balance walk, seesaw and more! See mountcongreve.com for more details.
