Things to do this Halloween 2023

Now that the new school term is well and thoroughly underway, and we’ve almost forgotten about summer it’s time to look a head to making the most of the Irish Autumn. For many Halloween and the school mid term is the peak of the Autumn period just before we hit Winter, as we do every year we are looking at some of the biggest and best things to do this October to celebrate Halloween. From Ireland’s biggest scare events and historically rich Halloween festivals to family friendly GAA fun including one rather niche event in Limerick.

Dublin

Hurloween Tours at the GAA Museum (Oct 28^th – Nov 1^st)

A Halloween event with a difference! This year get the chance to explore the GAA Museum at Croke Park. Get a pitch side tour as well as learning out the mystical story of Setanta/Cú Chulainn and how he came to be. The event is for children 5 – 12 years and everyone will have a chance to visit Interactive Games Zone (along with the museum), and every child will receive a book about the story of Setanta/Cú Chulainn.

• Where: Croke Park, Dublin           
• When: Saturday 28th October to Monday November 1^st.
• Where to stay: Carlton Hotel Blanchardstown, Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane, Green Isle Hotel

Hotels in Dublin are in plentiful supply this time of year but location and price are two major factors for many visitors to the capital. With this in mind we’ve 3 great suggestions for this Halloween. Carlton Hotel Blanchardstown may be located outside the city but it close to the M50 and easy access by car or bus. There is also the added bonus of being close proximity to Blanchardstown Shopping Centre and the National Aquatic Centre. Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane on the banks for the River Liffey is a popular city centre hotel for families. Complete with swimming pool within a walking distance to the city the hotel is offering family rooms from €214 during midterm. The Green Isle Hotel is offering a fantastic Dinner Bed and Breakfast deal for families from just €250 per night during midterm and this is definitely one of our top deals. Located close the Luas line and M50, the hotel is also right next to Corkagh Park which hosts a playground, rose garden, cycle track, sports & playing pitches, river & woodland walks and toilets.

Meath

Púca Festival 2023 (Oct 27^th – 31^st)

The Púca Festival is synonymous with Halloween in Ireland. Over 2,000 years old the festival celebrates the traditions and folklore of Halloween, with a twist. Celebrate the magic of Halloween through food, myth, and music at a host the family friendly events around Co Meath. As well as the usual selection of podcasts, workshops, tours and shows this year’s festival has a stellar music line including the likes of Macy Gray, The Charlatans, The Waterboys and The Hot House Flowers among others, while there is also a spectacular line-up of comedian such as Reginald D Hunter, Jason Byrne, Emma Doran, Waterford Whispers Live, Tony Cantwell and Shane Daniel Byrne.

The festival contains an enthralling list of activities and events spread across the Co Meath and will be sure to keep everyone busy. For full details check out their website here

• Where: Athboy, Trim           
• When: Friday 27th October to Sunday 31st of October
• Where to stay: Johnstown House Estate, Dunboyne Castle Hotel

With demand for accommodation extremely high this time of year our recommendation is a stay in one of our two most popular hotels Johnstown House Estate or Dunboyne Castle Hotel. Both hotels are offer exquisite spa facilities and dining experience you’re sure to enjoy. Their B&B deals are some of the most competitive Irish hotel prices around so booking early is recommended.

Farmaphobia (Oct 6^th – Nov 2^nd)

Described as Ireland biggest and scariest Halloween event, Farmaphobia goes that extra mile to ensure you have amazing and equally uneasy night. The Co Meath event is one of the most popular scarefests in the east of the country for the last number of years and runs from earlier October to early November. It consists of 5 individual haunts with themes on serial killers, feuding farmers, cults, clowns and zombies. If you’re a fan of fright this is the event for you. One of the added bonuses of Farmaphobia is their shuttle bus offering running from Dublin City Centre and Blanchardstown. Full details available here

• Where: Fordstown, Co Meath           
• When: Friday 27th October to Sunday 31st of October
• Where to stay: Crover House Hotel, Cavan

Cork:

Spike Island After Dark

How does an after dark visit to a former prison previously dubbed “Ireland’s Hell” sound? Spike Island, off the coast of Cobh, hosts it’s After Dark tour over Halloween period and promises to given fans of fright a unique experience at and even more unique setting. Although the island’s historical significance dates back over 1300 years, Spike Island has become more synonymous as Ireland’s answer to Alcatraz, serving as a prison on 4 separate occasions. Initially during the Cromwellian era in the 1600s and more recently when reopening in 1985 and closing in 2004. The Island has become one of the country’s most regarded historical attractions regularly hosting events as well as its usual tours. The After Dark tour will give you access to area’s normally off-limits where chilling stories of murder and mystery in a venue like no other will get you into the Halloween mood. This event is for 16-year-olds and old, so leave the little ones at home. Booking is required and tickets can be purchased here

• Where: Spike Island, Cobh Co Cork           
• When: October 13^th – 31^st  
• Where to stay: Clayton Hotel Silver Springs, Maldron Hotel South Mall, The Address Cork

Galway

Galway Aboo Halloween Festival 2023

Galway has a host of spooktackular events running over the October Bank Holiday weekend. The Macnas Halloween Parade is top of the event pile each year in Galway. Although at the time of writing the 2023 parade is yet to be confirmed, if it does proceed, this larger than life parade will captivate everyone from the smallest ghouls to the seasoned Halloween witches. The parade of colossal sculptures, prosthetics, costumes creations and will take your breath away and giving spectators minds a taste of the endless possibility when it comes to getting dressed up. The parade, if it proceeds, will attract upwards of 70,000 people to the streets of Galway and is sure to be one of the most incredible events of the weekend.

There are a number of other events taking place as part of Galway Aboo Festival including the likes of Orienteering for kids in Moycullen, Pet Farm events in Loughrea and Halloween at the Burren Nature Sanctuary in Kinvara. Find a full list of the events here

• Where: Galway City, Loughrea, Moycullen, Kinvara, Cobh Co Cork           
• When: October 13^th – 31^st  
• Where to stay: Maldron Hotel Sandy Road, Nox Hotel, Flannery’s Hotel

Limerick

Tall Tales with Eddie Lenihan (26^th Oct)

Meet Eddie Lenihan, Irish author, lecturer and broadcaster and one of the few remaining seanchaithe (traditional Irish storyteller) in the country. This Halloween, Eddie will bringing his best tales of Irish folklore to life in a way that only he can. The adult only event is set in the surrounding of the Treaty City Brewery, where Eddie’s stories are sure to intrigue and captivate his audience in the intimate event. Book you spot here.

• Where: Treaty City Brewery, Limerick City
• When: October 26^th
• Where to stay: Radisson Blu Hotel, Limerick

When book your Halloween break please ensure you book as early as possible to avoid disappointment.