Things To Do on Halloween in Ireland
I LOVE Halloween. And I spend each year trying to find more Halloween things to do around Ireland so you don’t have to. Whether you’re Irish and looking for something fun to do this year, or maybe you’re just visiting and want to make the most of Samhain, let me share my favourite things to do on Halloween in Ireland.
What to do in Ireland for Halloween
There are surprisingly more options than you might think when it comes to Halloween in Ireland. I mean Ireland is the origin of Halloween after all! Here is a list of some of my favourites:
Scream Events / Haunted Mazes – Things To Do on Halloween in Ireland
Farmaphobia – Ireland’s Largest Halloween Event
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*videos contain flashing lights
Ok so this is one of my favourite things to do each year – and it’s NOT for the faint of heart. Farmaphobia is a scare event in Meath – run by Causey Farm. You’ll arrive under the spooky cover of darkness to find multiple “haunts” – which are basically big indoor and outdoor mazes. While making your way through each haunt, you’ll be chased by men with “chainsaws”, have creepy clowns jump out at you, and worse!
This is suitable for teenagers and adults and I’ve done it so many years now. My favourite haunt is always the outdoor cornmaze. I LOVE IT! It’s described as Ireland’s Largest Halloween Event and I’d tend to agree.
@tinyboots_travels Scary things to do this Halloween in Ireland – @FARMAPHOBIA 👻 ?! Farmaphobia is known to some as “Ireland’s Biggest Halloween Event” and I know a fair few people who won’t go because they’re just too scared! You do have to sign your life away at the beginning so I don’t exactly blame them! 📍Causey Farm, Girley, Fordstown, Co. Meath, Ireland How you ever wondered how it works? Book online and then turn up ready to be terrorized! There are 5 haunts in total: -Clown Town -Cult -Cornered -Zombie Morgue -Uncaged Each “haunt” is 5 – 10 minutes in total where you’ll make your way through a set, with flashing strobe lights (or in some cases pitch darkness), scary props, un-nerving sounds and loud noises as well as the terrifying actors jumping out when you least expect it. My favourite is Cornered as its a real outdoor cornmaze. There’s additional escape rooms, food trucks, merch stalls and more! Gifted experience #halloweenireland #halloween #discoverireland #haunted #thingstodoinireland #ireland #dublin #dodublin #visitdublin #spooky #horror #irelandtiktok ♬ original sound – Tinyboots
The Nightmare Realm – Europes Best Scream Park
I recently visited The Nightmare Realm for the first time – which is a bit of a travesty considering it’s been running 15 years! This is a similar vibe to Farmaphobia only on a smaller scale. It’s right in Dublin city and you’ll find multiple mazes and terrifying creatures to get your heart racing. While I love Farmaphobia, this is a great options if you’re living or staying around Dublin City.
Again, I wouldn’t recommend this one for kids – it could actually be very traumatising! But it’s great for teenagers and adults if you’re into this sort of thing.
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Other Halloween Events:
Retro Drive-in Movies
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Each year in October, Retro Drive-in Movies do a series of Halloween movies. I love this. It seems so “American” to me. You pull up in your car, there’s food trucks and popcorn stands and then you can watch the movie from the comfort of your car. All you have to do is tune your radio into the frequency to hear the sound.
I went to see The Shining last year and it was so fun. It’s just a more unique way of seeing a horror movie in Ireland! It takes place each year in Leopardstown.
You can check out this years movies on the Retro Drive-In Movies Instagram Page.
Halloween Festivals in Ireland – Things To Do on Halloween in Ireland:
Macnas Parade Galway City
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Macnas Parade takes place each Halloween in Galway, and it’s so cool! It’s a performance by the theatre company Macnas, and it runs directly through Galway City. Each year, they tell a story through mesmerising visuals that captivate the large audience. Up to 70,000 people descend on Galway each year to watch it.
Click here to read more about it.
This is family friendly.
The Derry Halloween Festival
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This one was on my list for SO LONG and I finally got to attend it last year. I LOVED IT. There is so much to do and see as there are different events happening on different streets all across Derry City, followed by Fireworks over the Foyle River at the end.
This is another great family-friendly option. Check out the video to get an idea.
An Puca Halloween Festival
We really aren’t short of Halloween Festivals in Irealand and An Puca Festival takes place in Meath. This festival has a bit of everything from folklore, to music and food. This one is very spread out with different events taking place in Trim and Athboy.
When I went previously, I went to the cute Halloween Markets as well as some music events. There is a range of workshops, trails, story telling and more. You can check out the whole itinerary over here.
Halloween Tours
Here is a list of spooky tours you can do this spooky season!
- Kilkenny Ghost Tours
- Dublin Ghost Tours
- Spike Island After Dark
Haunted Buildings
Perhaps you and some friends want to go a bit more rogue and visit some haunted buildings. Someting a bit more creepy! There are so many “haunted” buildings in Ireland. However if you are visiting any, be sure to respect any private property and not put yourselves in danger.
Here is a list of haunted buildings in Ireland:
- Leap Castle – County Offaly
This is known as one of the most haunted castles in Ireland. Apparently it’s home to various spirits, including a ghost known as the “Elemental.” - Kilmainham Gaol – County Dublin
This former prison is associated with numerous historical figures and events in Irish history and is said to be haunted by the spirits of former inmates. You can book tickets to visit here. - Ballygally Castle – County Antrim
A 17th-century castle which is apparently haunted by the ghost of Lady Isobel Shaw, who was imprisoned there by her husband. - The Shelbourne Hotel – County Dublin
This hotel has been reported to have several ghostly sightings, including the spirit of a long-deceased guest. - Charleville Castle – County Offaly
This gothic-style castle is known for its haunted history, with reports of ghostly figures and unexplained noises.
So you won’t be short of things to do this Spooky Season! These are my top Things To Do on Halloween in Ireland!
