Burke launches Ireland Home of Halloween 2026 programme at Hill of Uisneach

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke, TD, officially launched the Ireland Home of Halloween 2026 programme at the Hill of Uisneach yesterday, Monday.

Now in its second year, Ireland Home of Halloween is a collaborative all-island programme led by Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland, which celebrates the role of this island as the birthplace of Halloween through festivals and visitor experiences inspired by Samhain traditions.

The Ireland Home of Halloween initiative supported the delivery of some 830 events in 2025, attracting more than 322,000 domestic and international visitors and generating €43 million* in economic impact, supporting local communities and tourism businesses.

Building on that, the 2026 programme will bring together a network of destinations across the island to deliver an expanded season of festivals, spectacles, trails, performances, food experiences and community celebrations inspired by the origins of Halloween.

In 2026, the programme will feature activity across seven Home of Halloween destinations:

• Longford and Westmeath

• Meath and Louth

• Fingal

• Galway

• Kerry

• Kilkenny

• Limerick

In partnership with Tourism Northern Ireland, the programme will also incorporate the internationally renowned Derry Halloween Festival, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, further strengthening the island-wide celebration of Samhain and Halloween.

The programme will be anchored by Púca Festival, the flagship festival of Ireland Home of Halloween alongside Derry Halloween.

New elements added to the Ireland Home of Halloween Programme in 2026 include:

• Kilkenny Hub: New outdoor spectacle event, including The Cailleach by Macnas.

• Fingal Hub: An increased focus on heritage-led experiences and storytelling, expanding into Howth Castle for activations.

• Longford/Westmeath Hub: Introduction of the Spooktacular Summoning at Dún na Sí, the launch of the new Samhain Trail and a new Procession in Athlone.

• Limerick Hub: A new Samhain Banquet celebrating local food, culture and seasonal traditions.

• Derry Halloween: Enhanced 40th Anniversary Programme celebrating four decades of Derry Halloween, alongside the launch of new year-round visitor experiences including the Derry Samhain Experience and a permanent Derry Halloween mural.

Minister Burke said: “Ireland Home of Halloween demonstrates how our unique culture and heritage can support the ambitions of government tourism policy by driving sustainable growth across our regions and extending the tourism season.

“The success of the programme to date shows the significant potential of this initiative to attract visitors during the shoulder season. In 2025, the initiative generated more than €43 million in economic impact delivering tangible benefits for local communities and tourism businesses across the island.

“By supporting businesses, creating employment opportunities and encouraging visitors to explore destinations across the island, the programme continues to deliver lasting benefits while showcasing Ireland as the authentic home of Halloween.”

Caroline Bocquel, chief executive of Fáilte Ireland, added: “The Ireland Home of Halloween programme is an opportunity to grow tourism by celebrating the traditions, folklore and stories that connect communities across the island.

“The strong results achieved in 2025 show that visitors are eager to experience the authentic traditions at the heart of Halloween, and this year’s programme will create even more reasons for domestic and international visitors to explore destinations across the island during the autumn season.

“As we continue to grow Halloween into a season-long celebration, we can further strengthen Ireland’s position as the Home of Halloween, delivering greater economic and social benefits for businesses and communities across the island.”

Laura McCorry, chief executive of Tourism Northern Ireland, stated: “The initiative represents a unique opportunity to build a globally distinctive tourism proposition around something that is truly our own – we are not creating a new story – we are sharing one that has existed for thousands of years.

“As Derry Halloween prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary this year, this unique tri-agency collaboration will ensure we fully realise the potential of the Home of Halloween initiative, celebrating our shared roots, stimulating economic growth, creating employment opportunities and delivering lasting benefits for communities.”

Alice Mansergh, chief executive of Tourism Ireland, said: “As the birthplace of Halloween, the island of Ireland offers our overseas visitors an authentic and original experience at that special time of year.

"Tourism Ireland will promote Halloween once again this year in our key overseas markets as an iconic reason to visit our island in the autumn. Our Home of Halloween campaign will run from August to the end of October,driving global awareness, consideration and demand for travel.

“It will involve a two-phase approach, with Derry Halloween, the Púca Festival and inspiring festival and autumn settings providing inspiration.

"Our activity will include broadcast documentary coverage, advertising, publicity, digital social and AI. We will be working with partners to inspire bookings, with our Home of Halloween campaign last year generating over €50 million in incremental spend from overseas visitors choosing our destination.”

The launch took place at the Hill of Uisneach, a site deeply connected to Ireland’s ancient Samhain traditions.

Further details of the 2026 Ireland Home of Halloween programme and destination event programmes will be announced in the coming months through each participating local authority.