What’s On Around Ireland This Halloween

Photo Credit: Discoverireland.ie

The dark nights are drawing in and clocks will be going back, which means one thing, the Halloween Bank Holiday is approaching. The country is gearing up for a week of scary forest walks, fancy dress parties, vampire infestations and lots more!

DUBLIN
The 2nd Bram Stoker Festival, (26 – 28 October)

Promising a weekend of chills and thrills, with plenty of free events for all the family including a World Vampire Championship Cloak Race, (October 31st) and a vampire treasure hunt. There are also a range of literary and film events for adults.

Dine In Dublin (21– 27 October)
A week of cookery demonstrations, wine-tastings, pop up theatre, cocktail master classes and more throughout Dublin. Republic of Loose will be playing at The Church for the mini-Oktoberberfest – free event. Restaurants will be offering great deals – €30 for 3 course meals.

Xtreme Activity Centre, Courtlough, Balbriggan, Dublin
A fantastic day out for all the family, the activity centre has archery, High Ropes Aerial Trekking Courses, Zip Lines, Climbing Walls, Abseiling, Archery, Paintball, Off Road Buggies, Clay Pigeon Shooting. Suitable for children over 7 years.
Cost: Children’s Packages from €25 (includes 3 activities)

GALWAY
Galway Aboo Halloween Festival, (26 – 28 October), Latin Quarter 
The medieval streets will host one of the country’s biggest Halloween Festivals with plenty of free events for children and families.

Bulmers Galway Comedy Festival, (22- 28 October) 
Packed with names including Sean Lock, David O’Doherty, Neil Delamere, Barry Murphy and Eleonor Tiernan.

MAYO
Westport House Halloween Festival (26 October – 3 November), in Westport, Co. Mayo
Open throughout the mid-term break each day 1pm – 5pm, families can tour the haunted house, take part in a workshop and watch the fireworks on 31st (Tickets From €52 for family 4 – 2 adults & 2 children)

DONEGAL
‘Dracufest’, Ballyshannon, (October 25th – 27th) 
This festival will have special screenings of Dracula and Frankenstein, and an attempt to break the current world record for the number of vampires in one location.

Travel Clinic – Send in your questions to irelandam@tv3.ie

Julie O’Driscoll emailed in asking for ideas for her daughter and boyfriend to do something scary over Halloween for a night away.
SUGGESTIONS
As part of the Samhain Abhainn Halloween Festival in Ballina they are running walks through the forest at night, where hidden ghosts and ghouls jump out on walkers. This is not for the faint hearted.

Alternatively, book into a castle:
Huntington Castle, in Clonegal, Co. Carlow will be doing candle-lit tours of the castle in search of the resident ghost and famous castle dragon. All guests should arrive in fancy dress!
Shankill Castle in Paulstown, Co. Kilkenny is holding an adult fancy dress and banquet.

Tattersalls Country House, Ratoath, Co. Meath, (24 Oct – 2 Nov)
Or head to Meath for a real scare – for the “Tattersalls Drive-In Movies & Horror Happenings” – pull up for the drive in movies where some classics thrillers and a ‘Tourist Torture Barn’ experience is included!