Halloween in Ireland

Did you know that Halloween originated in Ireland?

2,000 years ago, in the formerly pagan country, what we now know as Halloween was the festival of Samhain. This festival was meant to welcome the winter.

At the time, the Irish believed that on the day before Halloween, spirits would enter the mortal world. To keep them away, they would light bonfires and wear disguises. That’s why today, we wear costumes for Halloween!

Centuries later, Ireland is still home to the best spooky season festivities in the world.

Here’s a list of 5 events/places to celebrate Halloween in Ireland:

Púca Halloween Festival

Púca is a creature in Irish folklore, known for bringing good or bad fortune to those she crosses paths with. Named after the mischievous spirit, the Púca Halloween Festival brings just as much excitement and wonder. The festival consists of numerous events and programs spread across the towns of Trim and Athboy. Public transport routes are available between Trim and Athboy for attendees to enjoy all events in both towns. Each year, the festival program includes stunning light shows, comedic performances, musical concerts, circus events, and so much more. The festival is open to all ages.

Derry Halloween

Held in the charming city of Londonderry in Northern Ireland, Derry Halloween is a truly immersive Halloween experience. You can enjoy spooky carnival tours, scary stories, frightening haunted houses, and creepy arts and crafts. The four day festival ends with a massive Halloween parade followed by amazing fireworks! This festival is also suitable for all ages.

Nightmare Realm

If you’re a horror enthusiast through and through, the Nightmare Realm in Dublin is for you! Imagine the Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights, but on a much grander, scarier scale - that’s what the Nightmare Realm is. With a variety of scary haunted houses and mazes, the organizers work to make the Nightmare Realm spookier and more unique every year. There is technically no age restriction for this thrill-filled amusement park. However, organizers recommend attendees to be no younger than 13 years old for an enjoyable experience.

Bram Stoker Festival

Bram Stoker was the Irish author behind the classic 1897 Gothic horror novel Dracula. Named after the beloved and iconic writer, the Bram Stoker Festival celebrates his legacy. Over the years, the festival has consisted of a great variety of artistic installations, film premieres, comedy shows, circus performances, and more! Each year is different from the one before, so you’ll never get tired of attending.

Chamber of Horrors at the Wax Museum

Add a spooky twist to your visit to Dublin’s Wax Museum by exploring its Chamber of Horrors! Fittingly located in the basement of the museum, the frightening exhibit consists of realistic wax figures of infamous horror characters, such as Buffalo Bill and Hannibal Lector. The exhibit even pays tribute to Bram Stoker with a wax figure of Count Dracula in his coffin. Note that this exhibit is adult-themed, so there is a parental advisory for children under 16.

If Halloween is your favorite holiday, celebrating in Ireland should definitely be on your bucket list. Contact us at (818) 543-1821 and one of our travel specialists will help you plan your Halloween trip!