Pumpkin spice lattes, cinnamon-scented candles, fallen leaves; we are right in the midst of a dream we call autumn… but not all is as whimsical as it seems.
The nights become dark and eerie, fireworks are exploding everywhere, and your superstition begins to kick in. Halloween is creeping up behind us!
So, here is our round-up of Halloween events taking place around Ireland this October that are sure to get you in the spooky spirit… if you can handle a good adrenaline rush!
1. Puca Festival
Once upon a time, the Irish celebrated Samhain with grand fires and glorious feasts. They would tell stories of the Puca, a shape-shifting mythical creature from Celtic folklore, who would haunt the land with its good and bad fortune.
Today, Puca is an iconic four-day festival in the Boyne Valley, Co. Meath that carries on this Halloween legacy. Each day from October 27th to the 31st, Puca will bring the best in music, comedy, folklore, feasting and good craic. What more could you want?!
Some of this year’s acts will include music from The Waterboys, Macy Gray, The Charlatans and comedy from Jason Byrne, Emma Doran, and Reginald D Hunter.
Trim and Athboy will be at the core of this year’s festivities. The countdown has begun, and tickets are flying out the door. Puca is back so get ready because you are in for a night of mischief, the best vibes and so many laughs!
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2. Farmaohobia
This one will scare the absolute bejaysus out of you!
Farmaphobia is making its return for a whole month of horror and torment at Causey Farm, Co. Meath from October 6th to November 2nd.
Prepare to run for your life, as this year’s event consists of five horrifying trails each with a different theme, which are spread over 100 acres of land… You’ll never catch your breath. These include Clown Town, Cult, Cornered, Uncaged and the Zombie Morgue.
This is for those of us who don’t mind a fierce jump scare. Farmaphobia will not hold back when it comes to a thrill, even if it means you leaving in tears… or worse… not leaving at all… Did I mention there may be chainsaws involved?
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3. Bram Stoker Fest
Dublin presents to you, one of its most spooky traditions of all, The Bram Stoker Fest, in celebration of the renowned fiction novelist, Mr. Stoker himself.
Bram Stoker, known best for his invention of the Transylvanian vampire Dracula, has become one of Ireland’s most beloved writer icons and we are proud to be able to carry on his legacy and share his life’s work.
Festivities will take place for 4 days and nights from October 27th to October 30th and will draw upon some of Bram’s most written-about themes including, the supernatural, the after-dark, the Gothic and the Victorian.
Activities will include live DJ sets from the infamous deck God, Shampain; a reworking of the Night of the Living Dead; the Macnas Parade; Dracula workshops; family fun at Stokerland; tours of cemeteries and prisons and literary trails at Trinity.
This is not one to miss!
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Bram Stoker Festival, Dublin. (@bramstokerfestival)
4. The Cork Ghost Tour
If you love theatre, a giggle, and horrible histories then an eerie walk through the old town of Cork City is something to add to your Halloween itinerary.
This guided tour is a whole theatrical performance from beginning to end, that will take you back in time to Cork’s dark past. An evening of hysterics, ghost stories, chilling tales, and gruesome history.
The event will take place on the 13th and from the 28th to the 30th of October (more dates to be announced) and will begin outside the Cork City Opera House.
You are in for a night full of belly laughs!
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5. The Nightmare Realm
This will give you the creeps!
The best scream park in Europe will return to Dublin on October 6th. The Nightmare Realm is a horrifying event that is sure to get right under your skin and the demons do be looking real!
This house of torture will include 5 mazes, each to cater to your frightening needs: the Sundown Manor, Death Row, BioX1ne Laboratories, the Dead Carnival and the Shriekers.
For the scaredy cats, there will be three scare-free fun zones: the little museum of horror, The Banshee 3D binaural audio experience, and the expanded Halloweentown.
The real nightmare of screams, dread, and bloody murder is a Halloween showdown that will have you quaking in your boots from the moment you enter and that feeling of panic and fear may never leave you at all…
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By Shauna Whyte
