If you're a fan of all things spooky and spectacular, you'll be thrilled to know that Ireland is filled to the brim with Halloween activities ranging from the horrifying to the historical.
Whether you're looking for a sing-a-long screening, a fascinating ghost tour, a family-friendly pumpkin patch, or a spine-chilling scare-fest, there's bound to be something for you.
Here are the gory details...
Púca, Co. Meath
Taking place in the hubs of Trim and Athboy from October 27-31, Púca festival embraces the magic of Samhain by celebrating the spirits through Irish folklore, food, myth and music. The line-up of acts include performances from Sharon Shannon, Hothouse Flowers, The High Kings, Jack L plus stand-up from Emma Doran, Tony Cantwell, Reginald D. Hunter, and more.
Don't miss the free, non-ticketed opening procession in Trim on October 28 ay 6:30pm, which will see street performers with local traditional Irish music, celebrating the mystical world. The closing ceremony (The Lighting) will take place on Fair Green in Athboy on October 31 at 5:15pm, and will see a master of ceremonies will carrying a flame, igniting fire sculptures representing different characters of folklore
The Happy Halloween experience, Co. Cork & Co. Limerick
Hattie O'Goodspell, the good witch of Munster, is inviting families from across the country to visit her enchanted house for a Happy Halloween Experience that is 'spooky, not scary’ from October 20 - 22 and October 26 - 31. Hattie will wow children with her broomstick and hat collection as well as showing them a number of her magic spells.
Drink and Draw: Paint Scream, Co. Dublin
Hosted by Alternative Dublin, this two hour painting experience will take place in Grá bar in Smithfield. Attendees will be able to create their own spooktacular masterpiece as they bop to some spine-chilling playlists. All painting materials will be provided and no artistic skill is necessary!
Féile Samhain Halloween and Lantern Led Tours, Co. Wexford
Taking place on October 29 and 30, in the spooky setting of Hook Lighthouse, visitors can take part in a Halloween Fancy dress, sign up to classes with resident artist, Rose, and fill up on traditional fare and special Samhain platters in the The Lighthouse café.
On October 29 and 30, things will get extra spooky as visitors can take on the ghastly Halloween tour of Hook Lighthouse at 6 pm, 6.30 pm, and 7 pm. Take in the horrors as you ascend the 115 steps of the Lighthouse amid the graveyard of 1,000 ships.
Kilkenny Ghost Tours, Co. Kilkenny
As the oldest medieval city in Ireland, with its cobbled lanes and old city walls, Kilkenny is the perfect spot for an eerie and historical ghost tour. Taking place over one hour, each tour begins upstairs in Lanigan's Bar and Restaurant at 8pm.
As the home of the first ever witch trial and witch burning, visitors will be given witches' hats, capes and lanterns to protect their passage through the haunted streets where they will learn more about Ireland's gruesome history.
Howling Halloween at Brigit's Garden, Co. Galway
A family-friendly day out awaits at Brigit's Garden, where children and grown-ups can take part in ghastly treasure hunts, spooky storytelling, and cauldron-swilling witchery in the roundhouse. The Howling Halloween weekend runs from October 28-30 from 12-4pm.
Darndale Together After Dark, Co. Dublin
Creative Places have organised an evening of family-friendly Halloween entertainment in Darndale Belcamp Village Centre on October 31 from 4 – 7pm. All events are free and everyone is welcome to enjoy Crazy Carousels at the Green, a Haunted House at Sphere 17, face painting, a lantern procession to Darndale Park, and a firework display.
Derry Halloween Festival, Co. Derry
Sometimes referred to as 'the home of Halloween', Derry's ghoulish celebrations seem to become more impressive every year. As well as the annual parade and fireworks show, this year's festival will feature a walking tour through the city of bones complete with a 'King of Bones' procession, live music, a haunted harvest market, a witch's lair, a creepy critter kid's farm, lantern workshops, cemetery tours, disco tours, Halloween origin tours, costume workshop, and so much more.
Origins of Samhain Cave Tour, Co. Roscommon
With the cave of Uaimh na gCat reputed as Ireland's own Gate to Hell, what better way to spend Halloween than by descending into the bowels of the earth? Running from the Rathcroghan, the daily tour delves into the origins of the pagan festival of Samhain, and brings visitors around the 'Cave of the Cats', which some believe to be the birthplace of Halloween. This special seasonal tour will run from October 23 - November 3.
Bram Stoker Festival, Co. Dublin
Did you know that Dracula has Irish origins? Irish author Bram Stoker wrote the Gothic horror novel Dracula in 1897, and is said to have been inspired by the horrors of the famines, which his parents lived through, as well as the monsters of Irish Irish folklore.
Now entering its 10th year, Bram Stoker festival draws inspiration from the author, his life, his work, the Dublin of his time and celebrates the Gothic, the supernatural, the after-dark and the Victorian. Running from October 27 – 30, the city will be filled with cabaret acts, live installations, panel discussions, screenings, walking tours and more.
Spike Island Spookfest, Co. Cork
Spike Island is a very interesting place to visit at Halloween because if anywhere in the world is going to be haunted, it's this place
In the last 1,300 years Spike Island has been home to a 7th century monastery, a 24 acre fortress, and the largest convict depot in the world in Victorian times. Today, the historic island is open to the public, and considering the 200-year-old Fort Mitchel still stands, it's the perfect location for a spooky adventure.
The Spookfest Trail will see areas of the ancient fortress and prison transformed into a realm of Halloween wonderland - perfect for a family day out.
Rocky Horror Picture Show, Co. Dublin
With guest performances, prizes for best dressed, complimentary goodies and audience participation, this event will leave you shivering with antici... pation. Hosted once again by The Sugar Club on October 28, the wild screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show will be a sight to behold. And remember, it's just a jump to the left...
Killarney Pumpkin Farm, Co. Killarney
Bring your little goblins and ghouls to Killarney Pumpkin Farm this Halloween, where they can pick their own pumpkin, visit the witch's cottage, hear ghost stories from the Seanchaí, and explore the corn maze, all before meeting the resident alpacas and digging into some festive treats.
Halloween Costume Making Workshop, Co. Limerick
Taking place on October 21 from 2pm - 6pm at Spacecraft Artist Studios - an affordable, non-profit contemporary art studio in Limerick City - this Halloween costume workshop will allow you to create the most jaw-dropping look ahead of the big night.
Crumlin Road Gaol, Co. Antrim
Dating back to 1845, the Crumlin Road Gaol has a long and storied past which features executions, multiple prison breaks, and even an explosion. It closed its doors as a prison in 1996, and has since become the ultimate spot for a spooky day out.
From a Jail of Horror and a Paranormal tour, to a pumpkin patch and a petting farm, the Belfast Gaol has something for the whole family this Halloween. These special events take place from October 14-30 and booking is essential.
Railway Preservation Society of Ireland, Whitehead Station, Co. Dublin
The RPSI was formed in 1964 to preserve Irish steam locomotives, carriages and rolling stock, which means they have some of the coolest Halloween venues at their disposal! The Halloween train will be hauled by steam locomotive No.131 as it travels from Connolly Station to Maynooth and back.
Ghosts and ghoulies of all ages are welcome to come along in their Halloween costume - there's even a prize for best dressed!
Bundoran Halloween Spooktacular, Co. Donegal
Taking place on the main street of Bundoran, the annual Halloween Spooktacular is making its grand return by incorporating the much anticipated Pumpkin Parade on October 31. Running from 3:30pm - 6pm, the day will include a magic show, a fancy dress catwalk, spooky storytelling, fun photo booth, a carved pumpkin contest and a twilight parade.
Halloween Horror Night, Co. Limerick
Hosted in Dolan's Warehouse on October 28, Spooky Dragged Up is set to be hosted by drag queen legend Victoria Secret alongside The Outing Festival match maker Eddie McGuinness. This will be a night to remember, filled with comedy, live performances, and games followed by a mix of all the best floor fillers and some Halloween classics from very special guest DJ Ruth.
Hocus Pocus, Co. Dublin
The Lighthouse Cinema in Smithfield will be celebrating the 30th anniversary of Hocus Pocus with a special screening on October 21. If you're looking for something a little more grown-up, fear not, the cinema will be playing a number of Halloween classics including David Cronenberg's The Brood, William Crain's Blacula, and John Carpenter's Halloween.
Lough Key Forest & Activity Park, Co. Roscommon
Running from October 29 - November 3, the eerie grounds of Lough Spooky will be filled with hair-raising music and jam-packed with a including a Halloween-themed trivia trail, balloon modelling, Halloween movies, and a costume party.
Nightmare Realm, Co. Dublin
This award-winning scare park is not for the feint of heart. Now in its 14th year, every Halloween is different for the team behind this truly terrifying maze of horrors. The Nightmare Realm is open from October 6 - November 3 but are closed on October 23. Enter if you dare.
Dublin Zoo, Co. Dublin
Dublin Zoo is celebrating Halloween weekend with a whole host of family fun activities, including themed magic shows, creepy crafts, ghoulish games, a special Spooky Trail. There will also be special keeper talks taking place to offer insights into the many fascinating animals at the zoo, with the addition of two new talks especially for Halloween at the nocturnal aye-aye and the wolf habitats.
Make sure the kids are dressed up for the special occasion as one child in costume will receive free entry per full paying adult on Saturday 28th, Sunday 29th and Monday 30th of October. Offer only applies to single adult tickets, not family tickets.
