Spooky Westmeath! Ghost tours, fire, folklore... it's Samhain in the Heartlands
Haunted Westmeath Podcast Live
As part of Home of Halloween’s ‘Samhain in the Heartlands’ festival, join host Olga Aughey and guests for a recording of Haunted Westmeath Podcast Live on Thursday 29 October from 8pm at Canton Casey’s Upstairs.
Haunted Westmeath will explore chilling local legends, haunted history and ghostly encounters from across Mullingar and Westmeath.
Audience members are encouraged to share their own supernatural experiences, strange encounters and local folklore throughout the evening.
In association with Westmeath and Longford County Councils.
Suitable for adults and older teenagers. This is a free event but registration is required.
Music, stories and folklore on National Famine Way
The National Famine Way is hosting a Footsteps and Folklore event at three locations this Samhain, including Coolnahay Harbour, on Monday October 26.
As dusk falls, Footsteps and Folklore will be ready to bring an evening full of traditional music, stories and folklore on the National Famine Way from local storytellers Scéalta Beo and traditional singer Fionnuala Maxwell for an evening of magic and history.
Scéalta Beo will invite the audience to imagine the world through the eyes of ancient oak trees, remembering and celebrating those who came before us through interactive storytelling, music, and song.
Traditional singer Fionnuala Maxwell will also contribute to the evening with songs exploring departure and emigration, reflecting their meaning and connection to the National Famine Way.
It is set to be an atmospheric evening powered by the connection of community and inspiration of the traditions and stories of the past.
Communications and stakeholder engagement manager, Edel McWeeney Moran said: “We wanted to create a small, welcoming gathering where local people could come together and enjoy storytelling, traditional singing and live music connected to our shared heritage. Drawing inspiration from the Schools Collection gives us an opportunity to bring these stories to life, mark Samhain and remember those who came before us.”
The Schools Collection records more than 750,000 pages of local history and oral tradition from primary school children across the 26 counties of the Irish Free State collected in 1937-39. It. It includes 18,000 schoolbook exercises. It has been digitised and is available to access through the Dúchas website.
The event will be spread over the course of the bank holiday weekend and will also be taking place in Strokestown Park, Roscommon, on Saturday 24 October and Mosstown Harbour, Longford, on Sunday 25 October. Tickets for the event are €5 plus booking fees. Performances begin at 5.30pm and last approximately an hour, with a maximum of 30 people per performance. The event is suitable for adults and children aged 10 and above. As performances are in an outdoor marquee, The National Famine way urges people to consider the weather conditions and dress appropriately. There is limited car parking, so carpool where possible.
Booking is required – see nationalfamineway.ie
Spooking summonings in Dún na Sí
A Spooktacular Summoning at Dún na Sí Amenity and Heritage Park in Moate is on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 of October, when the park will be transformed according to the ancient traditions and authentic folklore of Samhain.
The experience takes its inspiration from ancient Ireland storytelling and traditions.
What sets Dú na Sí aside from the rest, is their team of community volunteers whose time, creativity, and energy bring the event to life. From designing and building decorations and creating characters and scenes to preparing the venue, performing during the event and welcoming visitors, volunteers are involved in almost every aspect of the experience.
Andrew, a long-standing Dún na Sí volunteer and the creative mind behind the spooky maze in the Rural Museum, one of the event highlights, said:
“I really enjoy working with the community that has grown around Dún na Sí Park over the years. The people, the strong community engagement, and the excitement and energy of the park-goers are what make me look forward to returning each year. It’s a privilege to be part of a place that brings so many people together.”
In a time when many large-scale events are organised commercially, Dún na Sí, offer an alternative; an event for local people organised by local volunteers to unite the community in a spooktacular fashion, celebrating Irish heritage.
The event is part of Ireland, Home of Halloween for the second consecutive year. That is an all-island programme led by Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland to celebrate Ireland as the birthplace of Halloween.
This year, the first session each evening will be dedicated to children with sensory sensitivities. There will be reduced lighting, noise, and spooky effects in those sessions to provide a calmer and better accessible environment. All children attending the event receive a sweet treat.
See dunnasi.ie or follow @DunNaSiPark on Facebook and @dunnasi on Instagram.
Samhain spectacle at Belvedere
Moving through day and night, Samhain at Belvedere is gearing up to put on a Samhain Spectacle, an immersive experience where myth and imagination come alive. The family friendly event is inspired by the Celtic festival of Samhain and is on October 24 and 25.
Liam Glynn, events and marketing co-ordinator at Belvedere, said: “We are delighted to be part of the Home of Halloween programme in conjunction with Fáilte Ireland, Longford County Council and Westmeath County Council. We’re looking forward to welcoming families and visitors of all ages to experience the magic of Samhain through enchanting trails, captivating storytelling, colourful characters, and Halloween fun in the beautiful surroundings of Belvedere House, Gardens and Park.”
From 10am to 3pm, there is a Halloween trail and circus spectacle, featuring aerial artists, acrobats, and storytellers, and young adventurers follow an outdoor woodland trail to uncover a secret Halloween word and collect a treat bag.
As the night falls, (from 5.30pm till late), walking tours featuring ancient stories, folklore and songs. A Samhain finale performance freatures fire acrobats and aerial dancers by the Pyro collective, a fire-based choreography group. Their performance draws inspiration from the Celtic bonfires signalling a new year.
“A highlight will be our unique fire performance, created exclusively for Samhain at Belvedere and unlike anything visitors will see anywhere else this Halloween season,“ said Liam.
“We can’t wait to share this special celebration of Ireland’s ancient traditions and create lasting memories for families this Halloween.”
The event aims to bring the audience ever closer to the ancient traditions and heart of the celebrations this Samhain. Both events at Belvedere House and Gardens are ticketed, and a limited number of spaces are available; day and night events are separate.
See Belvedere House and Garden for booking.
An Tairsesch: Samhain ar Uisneach
The ‘Samhain in the Heartlands’ season will close with a special event at the hill of Uisneach, the sacred centre of Ireland, over the weekend of November 7 and 8 of. It is a celebration full of fire, folklore, music and the living traditions of Ireland’s ancient past. An Tairseach means ‘the threshold’, which is the theme of the Samahain gathering. At the time of Samhain, the threshold is all around. It is said to be when the veil is the thinnest between the world of ancient ancestors for them to draw in close.
For that reason, the festival has become important to those with that belief as it deepens the meaning of every song, story, ritual, or flame to carry. During the Celtic times, Samhain marked a turning point in the calendar. It was believed that at Samhain, the spirits of ancestors returned, and time itself became fluid, creating a powerful moment to pause, reflect, and begin again.
The hill of Uisneach acts as a meeting place and a ceremonial landscape for the festival or ‘an idir-áit’, an in-between place, where Ireland’s old stories feel better connected. Across the weekend, Uisneach will come alive with, music, storytelling, tours, heritage exhibitions, traditional skills, demonstrations, and special performances. As darkness falls on te Saturday evening, the gathering moves towards its crescendo.
Visitors will be invited to join the procession on the hill before the lighting of the mighty Samhain bonfire, a shared moment of flame, memory, and celebration at one of Ireland’s most important cultural and heritage sites. Tributes to Manchán Magan will be made with a special screening of ‘Listen to the Land Speak’.
This is a ticketed event with a limited number of camping spaces for the weekend, therefore booking is recommended.
Book at uisneach.ie
Samhain on the land at Murtagh’s organic farm
Experience autumn magic with pumpkins, mazes, and animals this year at Murtagh’s organic farm in Ballynacargy. Wander through a miniature pumpkin forest and select your favourite one to carve. Then stroll through the maze, walk, and surround yourself with mythical folklore to be discovered along the trail.
Stop to enjoy petting some of the animals that live on the farm, across all the new pens and fields.
There is also crafting and storytelling from Winnifred the witch on selected days.
This celebration of Halloween is on October 24-31 and places are limited. Tickets are €22 per child (including a pumpkin and a bag) and €8 for an adult.
Book at murtaghsorganicfarm.com
Abbey Blooms After Dark: The Enchanted Garden
Step into a magical garden this Samhain at Abbey Blooms After Dark in Multyfarnham. You’ll be surrounded by a magical autumnal atmosphere as you walk along illuminated pathways with seasonal displays and Samhain folklore and traditions throughout.
The garden will be alight on October 24-31, 4-8pm each day. It is a ticketed event open to all ages.
Visit abbeyblooms.ie for further information.
Ruth Illingworth’s Mullingar ghost tour
Prepare to jump out of your skin with Mullingar’s walking ghost tour this Halloween. Historian and storyteller Ruth Illingworth will guide people through the haunted places of Mullingar. Blending both local legend and history, the tour brings these ghost stories to life. The tour is free of charge for children and €5 for adults and is on October 25-27 at 6pm.
Beginning in Market Square, it will explore the ghost at the window, the banshee of the Green Road, the Phantom army and other visitors from the Otherworld. And dare you cross the Haunted Bridge! If you love a good story or an interesting piece of history, this tour is a memorable way to celebrate Samhain this Halloween.
The tour is suitable for older children and adults. For further information phone 087 947 2583 or email ruthillingworthmullingar@gmail.com
OPW Halloween events
OPW heritage are hosting spooky events at their sites including Corlea Trackway, Longford.
There are different celebrations and activities to take part in for the whole family. A lively three-piece band, ‘Fir Bolg’ will get visitors in the spirit weaving together the raw spirit of Irish trad, the soul of folk, the drive of bluegrass and the girt of the blues.
For those willing to get their hands dirty, a mini archaeological adventure awaits. Beneath the peat are some spooky surprises in the ‘Creepy Curiosity Dig’.
Then for those with a spookier creative side, the Halloween Art competition invites children to create the scariest scene in Keenagh.
Events are taking place all across the OPW heritage sites this Halloween including Cork, Kerry, Dublin, Tipperary, Clare, and Sligo.
Smoke and Spirits at Fore Distillery
The spirit of craft and Samhain are joining together at Fore distillery for a free Halloween event. Discover the ancient stories, songs, and historic art of distillation in a cosy atmosphere of a crackling fire and twilight backdrop.
Taking place on November 1, 4-7pm, local legends and Celtic traditions will come vividly to life.
Filled with rich art and local folklore, the distillery provides a spectacular location to hear the tales of the past. The distillery is home to stain glass artwork by Margaret McKenna. Her artwork entitled ‘The Four Panels’ depicts the folklore of Queen Maedhb, The Children of Lir, Saint Féichín and the famous Seven Wonders of Fore.
The distillery is excited to bridge mythology, magic, and the mystery of Ireland’s ancient Samhain.
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