As each year passes, the festival of Halloween seems to get bigger and bigger! A celebration day which can be traced back to the Celtic festival, Samhain, it has come a long way to what it is today. Here are a few ideas to keep in mind if you’re thinking of dusting down your witches’ costume and to get you into the spirit of things.
W5 @ Odyssey, 2 Queen’s Quay, Belfast…
W5 have a great Halloween programme lined up from Saturday the 25th of October to Sunday the 2nd of November. Children’s author, Liz Weir will be on site to tell spooky tales twice a day from Thursday, the 30th of October to and including Sunday, the 2nd of November.
Kids, why not try your hand at making your very own scary mask? Classes for this activity begin on Saturday the 25th of October. And if you need a few more suggestions, why not try your hand at “Spooky Dip” or “Spooky Snapper”?
If you’re planning a visit to Belfast for Halloween why not book available Belfast hotels?
Derry’s Banks of the Foyle Halloween Carnival…
The Derry Carnival takes place from Thursday the 30th of October to Saturday the 1st of November. Events include the Halloween Carnival Parade, fireworks, a designated family fun area at Queen’s Quay, a haunted pirates cruise, a full moon boat party, ghost bus tours, and monster mash fun days.
So “don” that Halloween costume and head for the Carnival, a spooktacular time is sure to be had by one and all.
Find out more about the Banks of the Foyle
Halloween Carnival 2008.
For somewhere to stay check out our list of Derry hotels.
Antrim Halloween Fest…
This event runs from Saturday the 4th of October to Friday the 31st of October. The programme includes “very scary art club”, “Tommy the Teddy’s spooky stories”, spooky boat trips, a pumpkin party and a Halloween spooktacular! Fancy dress is encouraged, as there’s a prize for the best effort. A fireworks display brings the festival to a close.
Find out more about Antrim Halloween Fest 2008.
Belfast Ghost Bus Tour…
These tours, especially laid on for the witching season, run nightly (except for Sundays) from Friday the 17th of October to Saturday the 1st of November. There are 3 tours every night departing at 6.30pm, 7.30pm and 8.30pm, with each tour lasting 2 hours.
The tour begins in Castle Place, outside HMV, Belfast city centre, and will take you back in time over 300 years. Listen to the chilling tales of the Cornmarket Hangman and Rosie Walker as you tour the city. You’ll also have the benefit and knowledge of 2 local historians who will join part of the tour.
The tour will end with a story telling session in one of the city centre bars. And you’ll be dropped off outside HMV in Castle Place.
The tour costs £18 for an adult and £8 for a child. The tour isn’t suitable for young children though!
Halloween cookery for kids…
Ballyknocken Cookery School, Glenealy, Ashford, County Wicklow is offering a special Halloween cookery course for kids.
This course runs from 2.30pm to 4.30pm on Saturday the 25th of October. The kids will learn how to cook Halloween favourites for example: scary spiders, colcannon, pumpkin bread and witches brew. And the beauty of it all is that the kids get the recipes to take home with them, so Moms and Dads there’s no excuse!
Find out more about Ballyknocken Cookery School.
The Bram Stoker Experience…
Get into the Halloween spirit with a visit to the Bram Stoker Experience, Clontarf Road, Dublin 3.
You’ll be well and truly spooked, passing through Castle Dracula. Adding to the chilling atmosphere are strategically placed bats, cobwebs, gargoyles, dripping blood - are you scared yet?
Find out more about The Bram Stoker Experience.
Danzon: Hallowe’een Masked Ball…
The venue: 8 - 10 Harrington Street, Dublin 8.
Guest teachers, Chris Scullion and Terry Lewis will be on hand to put you through your paces. Dancers are encouraged to get in the spirit of the evening by wearing fancy dress. Prizes will be given for the best outfit/masks, so there’s your incentive to dress up! All you need to do now is clear the mothballs off your favourite costume, find the dancing shoes and off you go for a lively evening.
Find out more about Danzon.
Dublin Ghost Bus…
Guaranteed to send more than a shiver down your spine, why not hop aboard the Ghost Bus for an atmospheric Halloween treat?
The bus sets the scene with its appropriate interior décor. During the tour, your tour guide will fill you in on all the ghostly and ghastly happenings of Dublin’s fair city.
Visit St. Kevin’s graveyard and hear all about the sinister practice of body snatching. You’ll also visit St. Audoen’s and the Forty Steps (supposedly one of the most haunted places in Dublin).
Please note: the company states this tour is not suitable for under 14′s.
The tour lasts 2 hrs 15 minutes and costs 25.00 Euro for an adult ticket. Tours depart Monday to Thursday at 8pm, Fridays at 8pm and 8.30pm and on Saturdays and Sundays at 7pm and 9.30pm. Check their website for additional Halloween departure times.
The tours start and end at the Dublin Bus Headquarters, 59 Upper O’Connell Street.
Find out more about the Dublin Ghost Bus Tour.
And after all that…sleep well! And speaking of sleeping, have a look at our selection of Dublin hotels.
If you have any queries or comments we’d really like to hear from you. Drop us a line in the comment box below.
