Ireland's No. 1 FREE magazines for parents & teachers of primary school children
Ireland's No. 1 FREE magazines for parents & teachers of primary school children
18th October - 2nd November
The 5th Spirits of Meath Halloween Festival
The Spirits of Meath Halloween Festival takes place all around the County from October 18th to November 2nd 2013. In its fifth year, the Spirits of Meath Halloween Festival has lots of tingling events taking place in every corner of the County making it Ireland’s biggest (and scariest!) Halloween Festival!
Did you know that Samhain, the ancient Celtic Festival that we now call Halloween, originated on the Hill of Tlachtga, now called the Hill of Ward, near Athboy, Co. Meath more than 2000 years ago? Samhain marks the end of the old Celtic Year and the beginning of the New Year.
From House of Horrors to Halloween Fun; from Friendly Witches to Spooks & Spells; from Crafty Witches to Creep Crazy Cuisine; from Fancy Dress to Candlelit Tours; from Pumpkin Carving to Halloween Trick or Treat days – there is something for everyone in Meath this Halloween with ‘scarily’ good accommodation offers - and lots of the events are free of charge!
Spook yourself at www.spiritsofmeath.ie with all the up-to-date information on this year’s festival; or call 046 9097060 for a copy of your free programme of events. Welcome to Meath ‘Home of Halloween’ – Fun by Day, Frights by Night all over the County!
Sat 19th Oct
Megalithic Man Adventure Race
Megalithic Man Adventure Race from Loughcrew Adventure Centre. There will be a Mini Mega event for children. During the day, families and supporters will enjoy the race atmosphere with live music, facepainting and delicious local food. 049 8541060
Sat 19th Oct – Sun 3rd Nov
Meath Pumpkin
Pick your own scary Jack O Lantern at Meath Pumpkin Patch. Pumpkin carving demonstrations by request. Spooky Pumpkin nature trails. Wishing tree. See where pumpkins come from. Carving kits and instructions. Moynalvey, Summerhill 10am – 6pm. 087 7628313
24th & 31st Oct
Terrifying Thursdays
Horror Face painting, scary storytime, leading on to a traumatic treasure hunt, witching woodland walk, full of unexpected events...careful how you tread 4pm-7pm at Tankardstown Estate, Rathkenny, Slane. Admission Free but donation to charity is requested/welcome Contact 041 9824621
26th Oct– 3rd Nov
House of Horrors
The House of Horrors at Tayto Park is a terrifying and spine-chilling experience guaranteed to be the craziest and scariest sights around Halloween. Are you brave enough to walk through the rooms? www.taytopark.ie 01-8351999
Fri 26th – Wed 31st Oct
Halloween at Belvedere
Ensure your favourite characters get a good stuffing at the Annual Scarecrow Festival 26th – 29th. On Sun 27th & Mon 28th -Trick or Treat Trails for all agegroups starting at 12pm sharp. 26th/27th/28th Spook Walks in the Forest of Fear. A guided walk through the ancient whispering woods of the estate where scares a plenty await. Wear appropriate clothing and footwear for an outdoor walk and bring a torch. Booking essential. Earlier walks most suited for Children over 8 only. Book Spook Walk on Box Office (044) 9349060. www.belvedere-house.ie
Sat 26th Oct – Fri 1st Nov
Halloween Happenings at Lullymore
Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park hosts its now infamous Halloween Happenings Festival for seven spooky days starting Sat 26th October. Lots of ghastly ghouls and terrifying treats in store at Lullymore including Haunted Holograms, Spooky Train Trips, Terror Treasure Hunts and freaky fun in the devilish den of play—the Funky Forest. Prepare for the Fright of your Life. Come in fancy dress (optional) - Prizes for best Fancy Dress costumes in the Indoor Centre every day!
The Park is transformed for 2013 – the great mix of play and education remains but this year the Park offers so much more with extensive new nature / heritage exhibits and trails. NO TIME LIMIT. Open daily 10am – 6pm (Halloween Prizes start @ 2 pm) Lullymore Heritage & Discovery Park, Lullymore, Rathangan, Co Kildare. Normal family admissions apply – no extra cost for Halloween activities. Phone 045 – 870238 www.lullymoreheritagepark.com
Sat 26th Oct
FREE Family Fun Day
Break your journey and stop off at Applegreen Motorway Services at M1 Lusk, M1 Castlebellingham and M4 Enfield for a fun family day out! Children’s entertainers, facepainting, balloon modelling and lots more! Prizes for best Halloween Costume 11am -3pm. www.applegreen.ie
26th – 31st October
Samhain at Glasnevin Museum
Take a tour of Glasnevin Cemetery and Museum this Halloween and you’ll find surprises in store.... with special tours for children and special after-dark tours with your guide The Ace of Spades. 01 882 6550 www.glasnevinmuseum.ie
Sat 26th Oct - Sun 3rd Nov
Glendeer Pet Farm
Fun, Spooktastic, Eerie Halloween Adventure. 090 64 37147 Drum, Athlone. Exit 13 off M6. www.glendeer.com
Sun 27th Oct
Treasure Trail and Storytelling.
Why not come along dressed in your most scary costume and try to search for the clues that will lead to the treasure on our Terrifying Treasure Trail. FREE 2pm Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre, Oldbridge, Co. Meath 041-9809950 battleoftheboyne@opw.ie
28th Oct - 1st Nov
PúcaSpooka at Causey
Hilarious, spine-tingling, ingenious, scary and informative happenings all around Causey Farm. Suitable for families with children aged 5-12. 046 9434135 www.causey.ie
28th Oct
Children’s Halloween Hunt
FREE Halloween Hunt starting in Slane Village playground for some spooky fun and goodies! 0419824000
28th Oct
Grove Gardens
Friendly Witch Event at Grove Gardens 046-9434276
Sun 27h & Thurs 31st October
Boo at the Zoo
Creeky arts and crafts, spine chilling keeper talks, spooky face painting, scary fancy dress and a monster disco on the great lawn, it has to be Spooktacular Boo at Dublin Zoo. www.dublinzoo.ie
Dates TBC
CaToCa Fine Foods
Free Halloween events at CaToCa Fine Food and Giftware @Emo Tea Rooms, Emo Court, Co Laois, Belvedere House & Gardens, Mullingar and also at Riverbank Arts Centre Newbridge Co Kildare. Pumping carving, face painting, and Story Telling. Please check www.catocafinefood.com for dates and times or phone 045 486791. Email: catocafinefood@gmail.com
Sun 27th Oct
Halloween Head Chef, Junior Chef
A hands on cookery class for adults and children (aged 5 – 12years) 2.30-5pm at Ballyknocken Cookery School, Ashford, Co Wicklow. 0404 44627 www.ballyknocken.com
Mon 28th Oct– Fri 1st Nov.
National Gallery
The mid-term Children’s Hour (3pm-4pm) is for children age 5-10yrs accompanied by an adult. 01-663 3518 www.nationalgallery.ie
Tue 29th Oct – Fri 1st Nov
The Chocolate Warehouse
2hr Interactive Chocolate Workshops over mid-term break. See how chocolate is made, make your own chocolate to bring home, walk down Spooky Lane if you dare before viewing the mini chocolate factory. The chocolate demonstration shows visitors how they make chocolates and Easter eggs and the hands on workshop is great fun! They have a large range of Halloween novelties ideal for trick or treats or for a Halloween party, all available at the factory shop. Ideal for Birthday Parties. Book now as places are limited. Greenhills Rd D12. Ph 01 4500080 www.chocolatewarehouse.ie
Tues 29th –Thurs 31st Oct
HALLOWEEN Mask & CRAFT WORKSHOP
Children can craft their own menacing masks and spooky decorations this Halloween in a wicked 3-day Solstice Arts Centre workshop! 046 909 2300 www.solsticeartscentre.com
Tue 29th Oct – Fri 1st Nov
STARCAMP TO RUN THEIR FIRST HALLOWEEN CAMPS!
Due to the hugely popular demand of STARCAMP, they are finally answering children's (and parents) pleas and are running their first Halloween camps. The 4 day camp will run from Tues 29th Oct to Fri Nov 1st. The camps will run from 9:30 - 2:30pm with a Friday Finale Show where all are welcome! We are all very excited about Ireland's leading performance camps running at mid-term and they promise a wonderfully scaaaaary theme where children will simply have a ball where they will sing, dance, act, play games and much more! The core ethos that STARCAMP is famous for is to instill confidence and self esteem in children and this will most definitely remain the main aim at these camps. €80 per child, €130 for 2 siblings and €180 for 3 siblings! You can secure your child's place online at www.starcamp.ie or call the office on 021-4377900. BOOK NOW to avoid disappointment, as places are limited as it's one week only!
Wed 30th Oct
Creep Crazy Cuisine
Halloween themed cookery workshop 10pm to 3pm. Fairyhouse Cookery School, Ratoath, Co Meath 01 689 6476
Wed 30th Oct
Faerie Stories at Solstice Arts Centre
Bring faerie tales to life with this enchanting new show merging puppetry, dance and music! 046 909 2300 info@solsticeartscentre.ie
Wed 30th Oct
Halloween Cup Cakes
Decorate Cup cakes at the Pilo Hotel Ashbourne FREE 01 8350800 www.pillohotelashbourne.com
Wed 30th & Thurs 31st October
Halloween Haunted Gardens
Visit the haunted gardens at The Station House Hotel, Kilmessan for thrills and chills! Bring a torch and explore the sculptures as you wander around the gardens after dark. Halloween treats, games, mulled cider, pumpkins on display! FREE 046 9025239
Wed 30th and Thurs 31st Oct
HALLOWEEN FUN at Go Kids Go!
Have a howl of a Halloween this year at Go Kids Go’s Halloween Fest 10am-6pm. SPECIAL OFFER – Admission only €5 all ages for 90 minutes playtime. Families with monsters or fairies will have a hauntingly good time as they experience the thrills ‘n’ chills of the Adventure Playground which will be transformed into a (not too) scary Playground for the week. Make sure to dress to impress to be in with a chance to win some fantastic prizes in the costume competition – adults too! All activities are included in the special offer admission price. www.gokidsgo.ie
Wed 30 Oct & Fri 1Nov
MediEVIL Archery
Boyne Valley Activities, Watergate Street, Trim, Co. Meath. Our themed Indoor Archery night is a fun night with a basic introduction to Archery and some fun competitions. MediEVIL dress code is essential. Time 7pm - 9pm Boyne Valley Activities, Trim 086 7342585
Thurs 31st Oct
Cheerios Breakfast Together for Childline
Family Breakfast with Mini Disco, Face Painting & Halloween Games 10am-12pm at The headfort Arms Hotel, Kells 046 9240063
Thurs 31st October
Traditional Torchlit Procession to Hill of Ward
End of Spirits of Meath Festival - Gather at Fair Green, Athboy Co Meath at 7.30pm Up the Hill of Tlachtga (Hill of Ward). Bring a torch and join the re-enactment. 087 666 6021 www.meathtourism.ie
Thurs 31st Oct
Halloween Crafts
Visit The National Print Museum for some creepy crafts, perfect for making your house suitably spooky for Halloween. 2.30 – 4pm Age 6-12 Tel: 01 6603770 www.nationalprintmuseum.ie
Thurs 31st Oct
Pucas and Potions Children’s Arts Day
Pucas and Potions Children’s Arts Day is an exciting and spooky celebration of Halloween that focuses on the traditional festival of Samhain and the origins of Halloween. This eerie yet arty treasure hunt encourages all children to participate in workshops, installations and stories to and to collect nine hazelnuts. Then they must find the “Old Hag” and trade their hazelnuts to receive their Treat! FREE Ashbourne Library 10am-4.30pm 046 9097414