Halloween Events in Leinster

Here are some of the best Spooky Halloween Events happening in your area!

Fri 19^th Oct– 5^th Nov
Spirits of Meath Festival
Fun by Day, Frights by Night at Ireland's biggest and spookiest Halloween Festival! Join us to celebrate the ancient festival of Samhain with over 35 events taking place over a two week period. Finishes with torchlit procession from Athboy to Hill of Ward to light the Samhain Fires 7pm on 31st! Full programme on www.meathtourism.ie

19^th – 31^st October
Pumpkin Patch at Langfords Cottages
Scary Pumpkin Patch will be open for visitors to choose and pick their own special Jack O Lantern. There will be ten varieties of pumpkins in half an acre with easy access. Enjoy pumpkin carving demonstrations. Get your carving instruction kits. Witches, Ghouls, Mutants, Demons and Devils especially welcome. Venue: Langfords Cottages, Summerhill, Co Meath 10.15 am – 6.00pm. 087 7628313 www.meathpumpkin.tumblr.com

Sat 20th Oct- Sun 4th Nov
Terrifying Terror House at Tayto Park
This Halloween something very spooky is happening in Tayto Park. The Rafter Room over The Lodge will be transformed into a Terrifying House of Horrors. Are you brave enough to walk through?! Keep an eye out for the ghosts of Squaws past in the tipis, Are you tough enough to have a cup of witch’s brews served by the skeleton staff in the Treehouse of Horror or eat eyeball pasta, fried spiders and worm soup in the dreaded Fright Lodge restaurant? Hallween at Tayto Park - It’ll scare the crisps out of you !!  www.taytopark.ie 01-8351999

Dates tbc
Wicklow’s Historic Gaol
Halloween Horror week at the Gaol - Ghost and ghoul nights, weird and wonderful tales of ghosts in the dungeons, atmospheric hog roasts, and family events all week. 0404 61599

21st Oct – 4^th Nov
Decorated Pumpkin Competition
This is the 4th year for this popular children's event, where all the entries will be on display over a two-week period. Use your ingenuity, decorate your own unique pumpkin (surface only  NO CUTTING) and enter it in the competition, it will be included in the exhibition and you may even win a prize. Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin. www.botanicgardens.ie

Sun 21^st October
Halloween in Glasnevin
Special 'Dress up Day', all you Witches and Ghouls make sure you dress to impress! Children, will you risk a 'trick or treat' at the Witch's House or take part in our unique art installation.  Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin. www.botanicgardens.ie

Wed 24^th – Wed 31^st Oct
Hallowfest
Hallowfest 2012 has lots of family events which include spooky walks & bonfires. South Dublin Libraries host lots of spooky fun with Halloween arts and crafts, spooky storytelling, mask making, workshops and Halloween story time. For details of events log onto www.hallowfest.ie  

Fri 26^th – Wed 31^st Oct
Halloween at Belvedere
Ensure your favourite characters get a good stuffing at the Annual Scarecrow Festival 26^th – 29^th. On Sun 28^th & Mon 29^th -Trick or Treat Trails for all agegroups starting at 12pm sharp. From 2pm take the Belvedere Tram if you dare through the Forest of Fear where the Yeti awaits (not suitable for U5s). 27^th/28^th/29^th 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 . 7pm- 11.15pm every 15 mins. Earlier walks most suited for Children over 8 only. Book Spook Walk on Box Office (044) 9349060. www.belvedere-house.ie

Fri 26th -1st Nov
SPOOKS & SPELLS AT CAUSEY
Winners of The Primary Times STAR Award 2012 for Best Halloween Event in Leinster, Causey at Halloween presents 2 Hours of hilarious, spinetingling, ingenious and informative Halloween events all around the farm – ride a broomstick, witch school, nightmare manor, walk the path to the Valley of the Undead, visit the Haunted House of Clonbrehan.  Dress warmly and wear wellies. Suitable for families with children aged 5-12. Also Tiny Terror show suitable for under 6s 2pm on 28th, 29th & 31st Oct Only. Booking essential on 046 9434135 or www.causey.ie Causey Farm – between Kells and Athboy, Co. Meath

Sat 27th Oct – Fri 2nd Nov
Halloween Happenings at Lullymore
Lots of ghastly ghouls and terrifying treats in store at Lullymore this Halloween. Make sure to visit the Haunted House, take a Spooky Train Trip and enjoy some freaky fun in the devilish den of play—the Funky Forest. Solve the Terror Treasure Hunts to enter a draw for daily prizes. The return of “Mad Michael” and his tales of gore, devilment and ghostly goings on is a must see during Halloween Happenings.
Also this year, be very careful in the woods there may be a Bog Goblin lurking... above all else don’t let him destroy all the fairies in Lullymore with his terrible magic! Prepare for the Fright of your Life. Games and Prizes for best Fancy Dress costumes in the Indoor Centre every day! NO TIME LIMIT Open daily 10am – 6pm (most Halloween activities start @ 12pm) 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 27^th October
Halloween Art Workshop
Join artist Olive Knox in this Witches and Wizards Halloween art workshop for 7-10 year olds. 3-4pm. Hugh Lane Gallery. + www.hughlane.ie  To book call 01 2225564

Sat 27^th October
Break your journey and stop off at Applegreen Motorway Services at M1 Lusk, M1 Castlebellingham and M4 Enfield for fun family days out this mid term break! Lots of fun including children’s entertainers, facepainting and lots more 11am -3pm.  Applegreen’s Motorway Service Areas have something for everyone with Burger King, Costa Coffee and Applegreen’s very own aCafé offers healthy and homely food seven days a week. www.applegreen.ie

Sat 27^th October
Ghouls ‘N Goblins
To celebrate Halloween there’ll be ghoulish face painting, prizes and lots of make & do! Free samples of ghoulish gastro will be on offer so come dressed in your craziest costume & the Pavilion Quarter witch will judge the scariest one, from 3-5pm. Pavilion Quarter Dun Laoghaire www.dlrevents.ie

Sat 27^th October
Make a Bird Feeder
Come along to this workshop to learn about garden birds and to make your own peanut bird feeder. A practical workshop using tools. 1pm - 3pm. Deerpark; meet next to the playground. Booking Required: Contact Andrew on087 3299936 or Email info@owls.ie.

Sat 27th Oct - Sun 4th Nov
GLENDEER PET FARM
Cast spells with the scary witch, toast marshmallows over an open fire, enter the eerie maze but be warned, it’s at your own risk. Enter the forbidden forest and be scared by lots more ghosts and ghouls at Glendeer this Halloween. Children can also interact with the friendly animals on the farm, play in the large outdoor playground and NEW indoor adventure play area with indoor pet corner – perfect for a rainy day. Opening times 27th Oct-4th Nov 11am- 5pm Mon-Sat, 12-5pm Sun. 090 64 37147 Drum, Athlone. Exit 13 off M6. www.glendeerpetfarm.ie

Sun 28^th Oct
Battle of The Boyne Halloween
Meet the witch as she casts spells and makes wands in the walled garden and watch out for goblins on scarecrow lane or try out the terrifying tree trail and scavenger hunt on the lawn. 2-4pm All FREE at Battle of The Boyne Visitor Centre, Oldbridge, Drogheda 11am-2pm. (041) 980 9950 www.battleoftheboyne.ie

Sun 28^th & Wed 31^st 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

Sun 28^th October
Samhain 2012
Marlay Park will be a FREE fright fest of spooky thrills and chills for Samhain hosted by DLR Events.  Go in your Halloween costume for a spooky walk through the haunted forest! As you walk look out for the spooky characters, listen to the scary noises and watch out for the eerie fog! For full details check www.dlrevents.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 28^th Oct
Pumpkin Carving And Halloween Crafts
Together with Tutor Deirdre Rogers, you will design and carve a pumpkin for your doorstep for Halloween. (One adult to one child), please bring a small glass jam-jar. 11am -1pm Sonairte, Laytown, Co Meath. www.sonairte.ie

Sun 28^th Oct
Halloween Head Chef, Junior Chef
A hands on cookery class for adults and children (aged 5 – 12years) Recipes include: spiders web soup; creepy crawly pasta with vampire sauce to name but a few!2.30-5pm  at Ballyknocken Cookery School, Ashford, Co Wicklow. 0404 44627 www.ballyknocken.com

Mon 29^th October
Grove Open Farm & Gardens
Daytime Friendly Witch Event. Mix magic potions and cast wicked spells, Follow the witches trail, Get your face painted, Lots of fun & festive games, 2pm – 5pm Co Meath Tel: 046 9434276

Mon 29^th October
Halloween at Wildlife & Heritage Centre
Calling all Wizards to the Wildlife and heritage Centre for Magic Show, Story Telling, Fire Twirlers and much more. Parents Free. Shows 3 - 5pm www.wildlifeandheritage.com Listinny, Monaghan 047 80632

Mon 29^th Oct– Fri 2^nd Nov.
National Gallery
The mid-term Children’s Hour (3pm-4pm) is for children age 5-10yrs accompanied by an adult.  Tickets are €5 per child or family ticket is €15 (Adult & 4 children). 01-663 3518 www.nationalgallery.ie

Mon 29^th October
Halloween Fun for Kids
Afternoon of festive arts and crafts. Wear a fancy dress costume and be in with a chance of winning a prize. 1-4pm Shanks Mare Pub, Moynalvey, Co. Meath 046 955 7028 

29th & 30th October
Escape from Witch Mountain
This fun packed event will scare you, dare you and most of all educate you and your children as we try to escape from the Slieve Gullion Mountain Witch! Back at the courtyard, children (and adults of course) have a chance to carry out scary art activities, play scary games and have fun.7pm-9pm, Slieve Gullion Courtyard, Killeavy, Co Armagh. 0044 78403852233www.enspirelearn.com

Tues 30th Oct -Fri 2nd Nov
The Chocolate Warehouse.
At the 2hr interactive Chocolate Workshop, enjoy the story of how chocolate is made. Walk down Spooky Lane if you dare before viewing the mini chocolate factory. At the interactive workshop visitors get to enrobe, decorate and package chocolates to take home. Great fun for all ages. Ideal for Birthday Parties. The Chocolate Warehouse is exit 10 off the M50 on the Greenhills Road, Dublin 12. Ph: 01 4500080 or www.chocolatewarehouse.ie

Tue 30^th Oct
The Nightmare Before Christmas
A beautifully crafted spooky animated film for adults and kids -Despite having presided over many a successful Halloween Jack Skellington, aka the Pumpkin King, is bored and feels that life in Halloweenland lacks meaning. Then he stumbles upon Christmastown and promptly decides to make the Yuletide his own. 7.30pm Solstice Arts Centre, Navan. 046 909 2300 www.solsticeartscentre.ie

Tue 30th & Wed 31st Oct
HALLOWEEN FUN at Go Kids Go!
Have a howl of a Halloween this year at Go Kids Go’s Halloween Fest Tue 30th & Wed 31st Oct 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

Tue 30^th Oct – 3^rd Nov
Science Camps
Bright Sparks and Spooky Scientists take note - Anyone 4 Science are holding their Halloween camps and workshops in various venues in Dublin. For more information call Christine on 087-6749608, 0404-40563 www.anyone4science.com

Tues 30^th & Wed 31^st Oct
Halloween Costume & Craft Workshop                          
Children can craft ghoulish costumes and spooky masks at Solstice this Halloween! Come along for face-painting and fun, materials will be provided. 10am – 12pm (5-8yrs) & 1pm – 3pm (8-12yrs). Booking  essential. 046 909 2300 www.solsticeartscentre.com

Tue 30^th Oct
Creep Crazy Cuisine
Halloween themed cookery workshop 10pm to 3pm. Also Wed 31^st Oct cooking for teens.  Fairyhouse Cookery School, Ratoath, Co Meath 01 689 6476

Tues 30^th Oct-Sat 3^rd Nov
Artzone at Solstice Arts Centre
Creative fun for kids this Halloween mid-term! Artzone teachers have worked really hard to design the best portfolio of art, crafts, stories and games yet! Artzone promise a truly inspiring Halloween Camp experience, in a safe and fun environment, run by fully qualified Art Teachers, working to tried and trusted processes and practices. 10am-2pm. Book at (01) 4990614 www.artzone.ie

Wed 31^st 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

Wed 31^st Oct
Halloween Crafts
Join tutor Gretta Halpin at The National Print Museum for some creepy crafts, perfect for making your house suitably spooky for Halloween.  14.30 – 16.00 Age 6-12  Tel: 01 6603770 www.nationalprintmuseum.ie

Wed 31^st 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 -  The Hill of Ward, Athboy Co. Meath. An Eerie Yet Arty Treasure Hunt encourages all children to participate in workshops, installations and stories to collect nine hazelnuts. Then they must find the “Old Hag” to receive their Treat! Come along and make your own Puca Puppet, create your own Scabs and Scars and join in the spooky spectacular that is Pucas and Potions.  For children up to the age of twelve and their families. Fancy dress essential! FREE Athboy Fair Green 2pm – 5pm

Wed 31^st Oct- Fri 3^rd Nov
Rathbeggan Lakes
Prepare yourself for a nighttime walk through history as our ghosts guide you along the dark pathways past the witches’ crannog, through the stone circle and into the mysterious ghostly town…Rathbeggan, Co Meath. 01 8240197 www.rathbegganlakes.com

Dates to be confirmed
Castlecomer Halloween Festival
Spooky Halloween at Castlecomer Discovery Park, Kilkenny.  Follow the Trick or Treat Trail during daylight hours, or travel in the darkness through the woodlands and watch out for the ghosts of the past.  Not for the fainthearted! www.discoverypark.ie  056 4440707

Sun 11^th November
Samhain at Glasnevin Museum
Glasnevin Museum is offering a programme of events including ghostly tours & storytelling suppers. For information call 01 882 6550 www.glasnevinmuseum.ie