The countdown to Halloween has officially begun.
No matter where you are, there are plenty of things to do across Ireland at Halloween, from adults-only events to family-friendly activities.
According to Irish folklore, Halloween can be traced back to the ancient Celtic tradition of Samhain.
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Check out our spooky list of just some of the events you can experience this October.
Púca Festival - Co. Meath
Taking place in Trim and Athboy from 28 to 31 October, the festival pays tribute to the ancient Irish festival of Samhain or ‘Summer’s End’.
Púca Festival is set to bring an action-packed schedule of events.
The incredible lineup of events includes comedy from Joanne McNally and David O’Doherty, music from Imelda May, Gavin James, and The Academic, a live podcast from Blindboy, and much more.
For more information here.
Nightmare Realm
The Nightmare Realm takes place at Dublin’s Fruit & Veg Market in Mary's Lane, Dublin 7.
The annual event was previously awarded No.1 Haunt in the World, Best Independent European Haunt and Most Entertaining Horror Experience.
This year's event has areas like The Haunted Orphanage, Sewers, Cannibal's Playground, Attack of the Clowns and Death Row Penitentiary.
There will also be a live DJ set, food options, pumpkin games, vampires, dancers, giveaways and a Halloween Town.
Tickets for The Nightmare Realm are on sale now.
Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park, Kildare
Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park will host the infamous Halloween Happenings for ten spooky days from Saturday 29th October to Friday 4th November 2022.
Lots of ghastly ghouls and terrifying treats in store at Lullymore including Haunted Holograms, Terror Train Trips (be prepared for Zombie Attacks!!), Terror Treasure Hunts and freaky fun throughout the Park.
Terror Train may not be suitable for younger children and parent discretion is advised.
Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park, Lullymore, Rathangan, Co Kildare. Phone 045 870238 for more information.
Derry Halloween, Co. Derry
Visitors and Halloween enthusiasts can enjoy events such as a City of Bones Trail, street performances, and the Forest of Shadows Trail over the Peach Bridge.
Music, storytelling, chilling installations, and more will await those to dare to visit the City of Derry during their Halloween event.
Further events as part of Derry Halloween will also be taking place in Strabane and Donegal, including a Halloween Hay Trail, fireworks display, and more.
For more information visit the Derry Halloween website.
Hidden Valley Monster Mash, Rathdrum Co. Wicklow
The Hidden Valley resort in Wicklow is hosting a Halloween themed weekend activities.
The resort advises guests to wear their costumes, and they will have prizes for Best Costumes, Best Decorated Pitch/Lodge, Best Pet Costume and More!
Activities include: Halloween games, Bonfire, Halloween Dance, Trick or Treating, and more details to follow.
Halloween Arts & Crafts can be pre-booked online.
Farmaphobia, Fordstown Co. Meath ‒ for 100 acres of fear
Bad news for those with an irrational fear of clowns - Farmaphobia is back with a scream!
Farmaphobia returns this year with five incredibly creepy haunts spread across over 100 acres of fear in Fordstown, County Meath.
The attractions include a Cult land where you can prepare to be sacrificed by the Children of the Forest, a town full of clowns, Purge Might, Momma’s Murder Maze, and a Zombie Morgue.
Bram Stoker festival
The Bram Stoker festival will run over four days of deadly adventures: 28 - 31st October.
Mesmerising Illusions, deliciously dark treats and Spooktacular surprises await.
From an aurora borealis in Dublin Castle to the resurrection of Stokerland, tours of Stoker's Dublin, haunted libraries and Dublin's biggest museums with comedy, theatre, screenings in churches and lots more
Visit the festival website for the full programme of events.
Tayto Park After Dark
Tayto Park, rebranded as Emerald Park, is returning with its Halloween themed Tayto Park after Dark, which sees the park open later.
Experience the Cú Chulainn Coaster in the dark, brave the Rotator or take to the night sky on Endeavour and much more.
Plus brand new for 2022, check out Dino Dash at night - watch out for twists and turns avoiding the grasp of Raptors.
For more and to book tickets, check out the website.
Dockers and Demons Festival - Ringsend, Irishtown and the Docklands
Dockers and Demons Festival takes place in Irishtown and Ringsend, bringing a series of family friendly Halloween events to enjoy over the Bank Holiday.
Check it out here.
Croke Park Hurloween Tours
The GAA Museum at Croke Park will mark the ancient Irish festival of Samhain with ‘Hurloween Tours’ this Halloween.
Instead of ghouls, they will be talking about goals, old Celtic traditions, and mythology to celebrate the origins of Ireland’s earliest festival.
‘Hurloween Tours’ at Croke Park are ideal for families looking for seasonal fun rather than scares. This autumnal tour series is suitable for children aged between five and twelve, accompanied by an adult.
It takes place at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 14.30pm from Saturday, October 29th to Friday, November 4th.
Galway Aboo Halloween Festival 2022
Something Spooktacular is taking place in Galway this Halloween Bank Holiday Weekend.
On Saturday and Sunday of the October bank holiday weekend, the city’s mediaeval streets will host many fun and free events planned for the weekend with high-spirits guaranteed.
Check out more here.
Samhain Festival, Limerick
Lumen Street Theatre bring ‘Samhain’, Limerick’s Hallowe'en Festival back to the streets of Limerick between October 27th - 29th.
This year’s festival will be an affair full of diversity for all the family.
You can attend a Lantern Making or Mask making workshop, or see the Death café.
Fómhair Festival Gweedore, Donegal
The Fómhair Festival presents some of the biggest names in electronic music as part of a carnival & festival experience on Halloween Bank Holiday Weekend and takes place in Bunbeg, Gweedore.
For all booking, tap here.
Secret Valley Wildlife Park, Wexford
The Secret Valley Wildlife Park is in Coolnacon in County Wexford.
This year at the park, they are going big for the upcoming Halloween season, with Scarecrow Valley.
The Scarecrow Valley will be frightening and fun, with Scarecrow Village, a Corn Maze, Mystery Adventure Hunt, Scavenger hunt, and a Pick your own Pumpkin patch.
They are also hosting their Best Scarecrow competition, featuring scarecrows made by families across Ireland.
Spike Island Spookfest, Cork
Jump aboard the fun ferry and discover wicked witches, scary spiders and pillaging pirates as areas of our historic fortress and prison are transformed so that the little ones can explore an island of Halloween adventure.
Your visit consists of a short ferry ride and a Halloween themed guided tour on arrival.
Families can then Trick or Treat their way around the fortress where you’ll find amazing interactive areas with the help of a Halloween map:
The experience includes Witches hollow, Spider sanctuary – Mind your head, Tunnel of terror, Pirates prison ship, and Pumpkin patch –
Watch out for the bats and expect frightful photo ops and spooky surprises.
When your trick or treating is done, you can use the café, gift shop and enjoy our other amazing museums and exhibitions and island walks, with lots of child friendly exhibits.
Book here.
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