Visit the island of Ireland at Halloween and you’ll be joining a celebration that started over 2,000 years ago. Here, in the birthplace of Halloween, ancient Celts once marked the coming of winter with fires, feasting and festivities. Today, we carry on those traditions, blending heritage with hedonism to create a festival season you won’t want to miss.
Samhain Festival, County Longford
Courtesy Fáilte Ireland
Come to Ireland this Halloween season, when the island comes alive with thrilling events in towns, cities and ancient sites. Spectacular parades and blazing fire festivals honour Celtic mythology and turn the island into a playground for mischievous spirits.
Púca FestivalGo back in time at the Púca Festival and celebrate Halloween where the very first Samhain bonfire was lit over 2,000 years ago at County Meath’s fiery festival of Celtic spirit.
Derry HalloweenDress to impress at Derry Halloween where costumes, creatures and a carnival atmosphere have earned Derry~Londonderry the title “World’s Best Halloween Destination” in a USA Today poll.
Ireland's Halloween hotspotsBut there's so much more to enjoy in Halloween hotspots around the island featuring everything from Samhain parades and fireworks to harvest food festivals. Start planning your Halloween trip today.
Classiebawn Castle, County Sligo
As the darkness draws in and the spirits awaken, Ireland becomes a land of mystery. Familiar landmarks cast eerie shadows, haunted castles reveal their ghostly secrets and landscapes are shrouded in mist. Nothing is quite what it seems... and there’s no better time to visit!
Ireland's scariest experiencesDiscover hellish hikes in the Dublin Mountains, ghost tours in the medieval city of Kilkenny, a spirit-ridden tower in haunted Ballygally Castle, and a mysterious cave at the ancient royal site of Rathcroghan that may just lead you into the Underworld.
Ireland's most haunted placesFrom ghostly apparitions to wailing banshees, many of Ireland's castles, grand houses, prisons and even pubs are said to be haunted by unquiet spirits. At Leap Castle in County Offaly, the owners share their home with the spectral Red Lady. The spirits at Grace Neill's pub in County Down, are so famous they've attracted paranormal TV crews and ghost hunters. And at Crumlin Road Gaol, the tortured souls of long-gone inmates still pace the wrought iron walkways and wail in the night.
Take a haunted trip around Ireland with this six-day Halloween itinerary
Foley's Bridge, Tollymore Forest Park, County Down
Summer fades into autumn and Ireland is transformed. Nature dials up the drama as landscapes blaze with colour. Harvest festivals invite you to taste the season’s rich flavours, and the air is full of mischief and the promise of adventure. So book your exciting autumn break now!
Escape into natureWalkers can hike through woodlands burnished with colour, birdwatchers watch skies filled with migrating birds and wildlife enthusiasts can discover why autumn is the best time to go whale watching in Ireland.
Autumn festival feverAutumn is the season of festival fever in Ireland and you can expect a packed line-up of festivals celebrating everything from theatre and opera to comedy and food. Highlights include the annual food festival in Ireland's gourmet capital of Kinsale, the Dublin Theatre Festival and the Wexford Festival Opera in Ireland's Ancient East.
Ireland's cosy pubsAs the nights draw in, Ireland's famous pubs glow with the warmth of turf fires, and ring with the sounds of traditional music, chat and laughter. All of which makes this the perfect time to pull up a chair and settle in to enjoy.
