Ireland Gears Up for Halloween

Heritage Island (Ireland's Visitor Attractions) has compiled a great list of upcoming Halloween activities and events throughout Ireland.

Dublin has plans for a very exciting Halloween including the Spooktacular Boo at the Zoo with pumpkin carving and creepy Halloween Zoo-keeper talks amongst the events. The National Wax Museum Plus will be unveiling Freddy Krueger as the newest addition to its Chamber of Horrors. Maggie the Skeleton Ghost can be seen roaming the streets of Dublinia, and visitors can go on a tour of Glasnevin Cemetry.
        
The Belvedere Scarecrow Festival will take place at Belvedere House in Mullingar, where the brave can take part in a Bat walk and talk and find out the truth about these tiny mammals. Castlecomer Discovery Park has two special Halloween tours: Halloween House of Horrors and a Bubble & Squeak Tour. Trim Town has a special night market and street festival where the Lung Ying Company will be driving away evil spirits.
        
Muggles need not attend the special Halloween witchcraft and wizardry school at Hook Lighthouse in Co. Wexford where guests can make their own broom and magic wand. There will also be Halloween camps in the Lismore Heritage Centre.
    
Cork will get two theater performances this season, with Fota House playing host to A Close Shave with the Devil and Bantry House playing host to More Lives than One - Oscar Wilde and the Black Douglas. Fota House will be transformed this Halloween weekend for special "Fright at Fota House" tours.
 
Visitors can learn how to make their own Jack O’Lantern at the National Museum of Ireland Country Life near Castlebar, while at the Cliffs of Moher in Co. Clare, there is free admission for children (the Kilfenora Ceili Band will perform this Friday with all proceeds going to the RNLI lifeboats). The Bunratty Castle Folk Park will host its annual Halloween Holiday Horror events on the 25th.
 
Armagh will see some living history events. Over the festival the Navan Centre and Fort will include a sing along Rocky Horror Picture Show. Ghost and gore walking tours, fireworks and lots more will also be taking place. The Armagh Planetarium will be showing 'Secret of the Cardboard Rocket' and 'Pole Position'.
 
The weekend of spooky fun in Enniskillen commences at the Halloween Extravaganza at Enniskillen Castle Museums, and is followed by an evening of fireworks at the Broadmeadow. Florence Court, also in Co. Fermanagh, will have a range of exciting activities from Spooky Tours to Halloween Craft Fair.
 
County Down will have events at Castle Ward and Mount Stewart House & Gardens. Pumpkin Fest at Castle Ward will have hundreds of pumpkins to be carved, and visitors can indulge in some pumpkin soup and other tasty delights. Mount Stewart will offer journey through the grounds with music, lights and spooky stories. Belfast Zoo will offer a fun filled day of creepy activities including creepy crafts, reptile displays and bat talks.

Visit www.heritageisland.com for more information.