Ballymore couple transforming home for Halloween

A Ballymore couple who say they love Halloween are set to transform their garden and yard into a scary (but fun) theme park for local children for this year’s festivities.

“We did it last year but only on a small scale: this year we have loads of props and animatronics,” says Wayne Price-Dunning, who with husband John has been planning the spectacular for weeks.

The pair are not charging for entry but will accept donations, which they will pass on to the newly-formed Men’s Shed in the village and to Ballymore Tidy Towns.

Wayne reveals that they were so delighted with the reaction to last year’s effort that they were left with no doubt but that they wanted to really make a go of it this year and provide a treat for families locally.

“It won’t obviously be on the scale that the big places do, that would have thousands of people, because this is just our own private yard, so it is for the likes of Ballymore and the surrounding areas.

“There will be a donations box but every penny will be passed to the Men’s Shed and the Tidy Towns, who keep the village looking well constantly.

“We have got animated props, and Halloween lights and smoke machines; the props move and make noise.

“We have a ‘scorched scarecrow’: he is seven foot tall and has a pumpkin head on him; he lights up and he talks.

“We have two clowns holding a child and they are pulling her: each one wants her; we have another big clown – he’s over eight foot tall – and he has a girl in a cage on his back and she is screaming to get out. He will be at the entrance inviting people to come in.

“We have projectors for the windows of the house that show zombies passing constantly.”

The two aim to have their display ready for unveiling from October 23: “However,” says Wayne, “the main displays won’t be going out until October 28 because they are electronic, so obviously they can’t be left out.”

Kids will also love the fact that the two are assembling small gift boxes for the younger children attending on trick-or-treat day itself. The boxes will have chocolate and bubbles.

Wayne adds that all the animatronics will be in a fixed place, so parents need not worry that there will be any unexpected props suddenly manifesting in front of them and frightening the children.

Visitors will be welcome from about 5pm on weekdays and from 3 or 4pm at Halloween weekend.

Wayne and John love Christmas and they are also building on their stock of Christmas props: “Every year we keep adding bits to our collection so it just keeps getting bigger and bigger. It’s our hobby; we don’t drink; we don’t do anything – except work!”

The couple who come from Kildare (Wayne) and Dublin (John) don’t just live together: jointly they have a transport company. They moved to Ballymore after the house in which they now live caught their eye and they love the area.

The house is within walking distance of the village, being located on the Streamstown road, between Rooney’s of Low Street and the Uisneach estate.

Fortuitously, Westmeath County Council is due next week to install a footpath and lighting along that stretch of road.