Tag Archives: hallowe’en

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park in County Clare hosts its biggest Halloween celebration yet when Monsters, Misfits and Mayhem take over the castle grounds from Saturday October 28th to Monday October 30th. From ghosts swooping from the skies to a deathly torture chamber in the castle basement and from the witches’ kitchen to the haunted train that snakes through the Folk Park, no gravestone will be left unturned at the 26-acre visitor attraction later this month. The Witch’s Kitchen, located within the nearby Loop Head Farmhouse, will see Grandmother Witch prepare her latest magic spell in a cauldron filled with secret ingredients. The Witches come under suspicion too during the Witches Trial as Ardcroney Church is transformed into a courthouse for the event. The solemn wake of Mickey McNamara will be hosted in The Shannon Farmhouse where the farmer demonstrates he has some unresolved business to attend to as his family pray for their beloved. Visitors to the neighbouring outhouse …

THE fire service in Clare had to respond to four bonfires on Halloween night, one in Shannon and the other three in the Cloughleigh area of Ennis. A spokesperson for Clare County Council said there was some trouble in dealing with the Cloughleigh bonfires. “Yes, there was opposition to the fire service when we arrived in Cloughleigh, however procedures were in place to deal with such incidents and the Fire Service worked with An Garda Síochána to respond to the calls.” Councillor Mary Howard said that many people had fun on Halloween night and children enjoyed trick or treating, but the type of anti social behaviour seen at Cloughleigh cannot be tolerated. “That kind of behaviour cannot continue. It is wrong and it has to be stamped out,” she said. “It’s a night that everyone should be able to enjoy and to be in a safe environment. Parents or whoever is in charge of those young people need to be …

Something’s brewing, and it’s going to be ghoulishly fun! Cliffs of Moher Experience have a wicked weekend of spooktacular Halloween activities planned for all monsters big and small! The visitor centre will be adorned in Halloween decorations from Saturday October 29 to Monday October 31. Witching hour will begin at 8am until 7pm, with activities running throughout the day. Staff will be telling tales of long ago and spooky stories from the Cliffs of Moher Experience within the visitor centre. Anyone who arrives in Halloween fancy dress will be in with a chance of winning some scarily good spot prizes. On arrival, all children will also receive a Treasure Hunt with clues leading them to five locations on site. Visitors to Ireland’s most popular natural attraction also will be able to enjoy a menu filled with locally sourced produce. The Cliffs View Café and Puffins Nest Café, both located within the visitor centre, will be offering visitors Halloween Muffins, and …

THE OLD traditions of Samhain with some fun modern twists will be celebrated this Halloween at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. Time travelling twists, creepy crypts and pagan roots are all part of Bunratty’s plans during a special Halloween festival to mark the traditional Irish Samhain. This Halloween midterm, Bunratty Castle & Folk Park is inviting visitors to come and experience Samhain from October 29 to November 2. Bunratty Castle and Folk Park Events Manager Marie Brennan outlined a flavour of what to expect during the mid-term festivities. “Halloween is always an exciting time for us here at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, with lots of activities for all the family to enjoy, from the Creepy Crypt, and “Head Will Roll and Thriller” mini disco to the Halloween Spook Train ride, and our Fearsome Fairy Village where unpleasant creatures abide.” In fact the team has been busy getting ready for some weeks and has enlisted the help of local school …

A special programme of chilling events with hair raising surprises await visitors to Bunratty Castle & Folk Park in Clare and King John’s Castle in the heart of Limerick City this Halloween. Monsters, misfits and mayhem will be the order of the day. This Halloween midterm Bunratty Castle & Folk Park is returning to its Irish pagan roots and will mark the festival of Samhain in its own unique way. Focusing on the old Irish traditions associated with this time of year, visitors are invited to come and experience a traditional Irish Samhain (or Halloween) from Saturday October 23rd to 31st. As part of the events, Bunratty Castle will unveil a creepy crypt full of scary surprises. Should you dare cross the threshold of this ancient structure beware of ghostly voices and spooky sounds at every turn. The fortress’ creepy castle guides tell you all about the deadly dungeon or monstrous murder hole. Visitors are encouraged to dress in costume …

ACCLAIMED Clare singer-songwriter Lou McMahon will release the haunting video for her latest composition ‘Wide Eyed Lady’ tonight (Friday). The gothic-themed production chimes perfectly with the festival of Samhain and the release, on the eve of Hallowe’en, comes ahead of the single which will go live on November 10. “It tells a dark folk tale about a young girl named Heather who toys with necromancy to her own demise,” said Lou, whose soaring vocals are reminiscent of a young Stevie Nicks or Kate Bush. “The music video is being released for Hallowe’en, it is horror-themed to reflect the gothic rock undertones of the song. ‘Wide Eyed Lady’ is a dark folk tale, that interweaves gothic rock with folk pop, guided by a storytelling style that creeps in the realms of mythology, folklore and dark fantasy.” The atmospheric and haunting video was filmed and edited by Paul-André Fortin and forms the perfect backdrop to Lou’s darkly captivating lyrics. The piece features …

Ahead of Halloween this year, Clare County Council is advising members of the public not to take part in any activities that are contrary to public health guidelines or measures under Level 5 of the Government’s Covid-19 plan, such as bonfire gatherings. The local authority have also stated that given the current high level of risk associated with Covid-19, children and families should not move between houses to trick-or-treat in the way that traditionally happens at Halloween. Clare County Council and Clare County Fire and Rescue Service are also urging members of the public and businesses not to supply any waste material to persons who do not hold a valid waste collection permit. The call comes in advance of the Hallowe’en period, which traditionally has been used by some people to illegally dispose of waste material on bonfires. The uncontrolled burning of waste, particularly in bonfires, is illegal and releases toxic pollutants into the air, which are known to be …

Have you ever heard of a Howllowe’en Party? I must confess I hadn’t until my humans told me we were travelling to Dublin to attend one. It was organised by the Pawtrait Pack, a facebook group of dog lovers and we were all to meet up in a park near St Patrick’s Cathedral for a get to know you session – in other words sniffing bums! We arrived with plenty of time to spare so we went for a quick coffee at a lovely place called Queen of Tarts. I thought that was very appropriate as I’m a real queen. Even after our coffee, we were first to arrive at the park but in short order we were joined by a lovely group of new friends. There was Ozzie, an Australian Kelpie cross who came with Audrey, who organised the party. Monty, a black and white Collie, like Ozzie, has eyes in two different colours – perfect for a Howllowe’en …