Ireland's Halloween hotspots

1. Derry~Londonderry

The scares don’t get any bigger than at Derry Halloween – Europe’s largest Halloween festival, now celebrating its 40th anniversary. Derry~Londonderry’s historic 400-year-old city walls – the most complete of their kind on the island of Ireland – are a fitting backdrop against which performers, dancers, festival-goers and creatures of the night enjoy a frightfully good time. Get spooked on the Awakening the Walled City Trail, party hard with good food and live music at the Heart of Samhain in Guildhall Square, then round things off with a spectacular Carnival Parade and Fireworks Finale above the River Foyle on Halloween night. Sounds scarily good, right?

2. Meath and Louth

The history-laden Boyne Valley wears its Halloween colours well, as counties Meath and Louth join forces for not one, but four major Samhain festivals. Chief among them is the Púca Festival, one of Ireland’s flagship Halloween events. Expect four days of music, comedy, fire displays and harvest banquets, all with a sinister but mischievous edge. Spirits of Meath features over 100 events across October, from the thrilling After Dark at Emerald Park to daytime fun on local farms and manors. Lú Festival of Light in Drogheda will see stories from Irish myth and legend projected onto striking local landmarks. And the Samhain Festival of Food & Culture celebrates the rich culinary and cultural heritage of the region with immersive tasting events, workshops, food markets and farm tours. All in all, there are tricks and treats aplenty in the valley this spooky season.

3. Dublin

Fingal, just north of Dublin city, celebrates Samhain in castles, coastal villages and local gatherings from late September to the start of November. With a vibrant programme of events that are deeply rooted in local culture and folklore, you can expect everything from a Festival of Fire at atmospheric castle venues to an immersive trail of hand-carved pumpkins, dancing light installations and seasonal soundscapes at the grand Georgian mansion of Newbridge House. Add in a Samhain-inspired Dining Club feast at Malahide Castle and you have a Samhain line-up to remember, right on Dublin’s doorstep! Fingal and frights are a hellish match at this time of year.

4. Galway city

Spanning the month of October and early November, Gaillimh Ah-Boo will transform the colourful streets of Galway city into a devilish den of myth, mischief and magic. The festival name is a play on the Irish phrase “Gaillimh Abú!” which means “Up Galway!” and it’s this sense of pride and passion that locals are bringing to all things Halloween in the coastal city. Highlights range from the Macnas Parade by the internationally acclaimed theatre company to Luxmuralis, a shimmering light and sound installation at 700-year-old St Nicholas Church. Add to that, the Blás Food Festival with food trails and pop-up dinners and the Galway Comedy Festival, and you’ve got a Samhain season you won’t want to miss.

5. Kerry

The timelessly beautiful and brooding terrain of County Kerry in the autumn sets the tone for Samhain Chiarraí: A Kerry Halloween. The name pays homage to the “Cailleach Chiarraí”, a mythical old hag from Irish folklore associated with winter, storms and the landscape. Highlights include the Between Two Worlds street spectacle and The Veiling illuminated procession in Killarney, while the Fires of Samhain ritual ceremonies across the county promise an eclectic mix of live performances. Is this the year you witness the homecoming of the “Cailleach Chiarraí” herself?

6. Kilkenny

Deep in Ireland’s Ancient East, the medieval city of Kilkenny is preparing to showcase the best of Ireland in autumn and Halloween. With cobbled alleyways, stone archways and a Medieval Mile dotted with historic landmarks, walking these wonderful streets in autumn can feel like stepping into a gothic movie. Top of the bill here is Savour Kilkenny, a harvest food festival set against the dramatic backdrop of Kilkenny Castle. The 100-stall market is a feast for the senses, with everything from cookery demonstrations, artisan street food and top local tipples. At Kilkenny Toil & Trouble, uncover the bewitching (pun intended) story of the Kilkenny Witch Trials from 1324 and the chilling tale of Petronella de Meath, the first woman burned alive for witchcraft in Ireland.

7. Limerick

County Limerick celebrates Halloween with a lively programme inspired by the ancient traditions of Samhain and County Limerick’s rich folklore. In Limerick city, Trick or Treat in the City brings immersive storytelling and live entertainment to the medieval streets, while the theatrical Morbid & Sons delivers a thrillingly macabre musical experience. At the Milk Market, the Limerick Harvest Festival mixes food and crafts with fire shows and circus performances. Limerick dials up the drama with the Samhain Banquet, bringing guests on a mystery journey filled with seasonal food, storytelling and music. Across the city and county, expect atmospheric experiences and plenty of Halloween fun.

8. Longford and Westmeath

A spine-chilling time awaits off the beaten track in counties Longford and Westmeath at Samhain in the Heartlands. The Fire and Shadows procession and Dead of Night Festival bring spectacular street theatre, live music and harvest markets to Longford town. Meanwhile, Halloween fun and outdoor adventures take over the lush lakeside estate of Belvedere House, Gardens & Park, ensuring there’s something for everyone in the folklore-rich region of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. The festival culminates with Samhain ar Uisneach, at the ancient spiritual and mythological centre of Ireland. Druids, traditional Irish seanchaí (storytellers) and musicians will gather fireside at this sacred place for a hair-raising night to remember.

Craving more chills?

Fire festivals, ancient Celtic traditions, the most haunted spots around the island... discover these and more at Halloween in Ireland.