Head to Trim and Athboy in County Meath to reconnect with Halloween's roots and get into some mischief at the Púca Festival. As night descends, The Arrival of The Spirits welcomes guests with a procession of music, fire and magic, weaving through the streets of Trim as far as the castle. Take off on a treasure hunt, or bring young ones with an interest in folklore to play Away with the Faeries.
During the Luggwoods Hooky Spooky Halloween Experience, a guide will bring you and your crew along a forest trail to find the ingredients for a friendly witches Halloween brew. Set at the base of the Dublin Mountains, this fully outdoor experience is a great spot to enjoy a safe Halloween evening in natural surroundings. Dress up, get some family photos and let everyone’s imaginations run wild in the hills.
Crisp, clear days make for memorable family outings in the great outdoors. At the Halloween Happenings event, the natural history of the Irish peatlands unfolds in the breathtaking Bog of Allen. Go flora and fauna spotting on the Biodiversity Boardwalk before setting out with older kids on a Terror Treasure Hunt.
Parents and kids over 10 can walk through the ‘Gates of Hell’ on a tour of the historic dungeon at Wicklow Gaol. The immersive experience, bolstered by elements of virtual reality, will guide you through the gaol’s grisly history of corruption, rebellion and darkness. You’ll hear stories of the gaol’s most infamous prisoners – and you might see why it’s dubbed one of the most haunted places in Ireland.
The Sea Life Bray Aquarium turns into an Ascarium for October. Go in search of the Sea Witch and meet monsters of the deep along the way. Check out the venomous Red Lionfish and Dragon Moray Eel, then visit the Bay of Rays and Tropical Shark Lagoon. It's an educational deep-dive that happens to be a ton of fun.
It's all aboard the Rathwood Express for a jaunt through a forest full of surprises. Arrive at the Big Top where The Witches of Rathwood Halloween Pantomime stages an all singing, all dancing musical spectacle. Kids get a complimentary hot cocoa, as well as a pumpkin to take home with them.
At the hour-long Spooky Science Workshop, kids take part in a slime-making session with Geopark staff. While they’re creatively occupied, you can unwind by walking the wide open prehistoric landscape. Pass through areas with geological features that remain much as they were aeons ago, and breathe in the views to the soundtrack of birdsong.
See the sights while you get a good scare on this paranormal journey of discovery. Walk the cobbled lanes of Kilkenny City from St Mary’s Church to Kilkenny Castle. Follow in the notorious footsteps of Dame Alice Kyteler, the Kilkenny Witch. Tales of torture will have you looking over your shoulder as you meander through Ireland’s oldest medieval city.
Halloween at Leahy's Open Farm allows kids quality time with farmyard favourites like Daisy the Cow and a gaggle of friendly geese. The outdoor Boo! Experience’s haunted hayride winds through a witchy wood, and children can cast spells and create their own spooky lollipops.
At the Sandy Feet Farm School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, families can enjoy fright-free fare with interactive stories, singing and dancing, pumpkin carving and magic lessons. Little witches and wizards can also visit with the farm's sheep, alpacas, cows and pygmy goats and explore the play area and sensory garden.
Located in Roscahill, the gateway to Connemara, Brigit’s Garden – or rather, four gardens – takes you on a journey through the Celtic cycle of the seasons. Pay a special visit to the Samhain garden in October to celebrate the Celtic new year. Perfect for a family day out, the garden is also dog-friendly. There’s a kids’ discovery trail, natural playground and lots of opportunity to explore.
What magic and mystery lie in Galway? On Halloween weekend, the giant Con Mór (who hails from an ancient island of giants off the coast of Connaught) will "emerge" from the Macnas Spectacle Youth Theatre Workshop to greet families. Bring a feather and attach a message of hope to honour this friendly, nature-loving creature.
Explore the mysterious wood and follow the fairy trail with Halloween Orienteering at Wildlands. Keep your eyes peeled for the Moycullen Mummy and Wicked Witch of the Wildlands – you never know who might be lurking around the next corner. There’s also an outdoor zip line and indoor play areas to explore.
Dubbed Ireland's "Gate to Hell," the cave of Uaimh na gCat (Oweynagat) in County Roscommon has strong ties to the ancient festival of Samhain. Take a guided visit to the cave and down to the bowels of the Earth with the Rathcroghan Visitor Centre on their Origins of Samhain Cave Tour.
Explore family events in this Boyne Valley this Halloween.
