Visit Waterford has prepared a wide range of events across the city and county as it prepares for its annual Halloween celebrations. From spooky storytelling and pumpkin carving to scary movie screenings and haunted trails, there is something for everyone. Visit Waterford and hold on to your broomsticks, as Ireland’s Oldest City promises a jam-packed schedule this Halloween.
Waterford Treasures
Waterford Treasures has spooky measures in place for a haunting experience this Halloween. Join curators for a walk on the dark side with a 90-minute ‘Dark History Tour’, where you will be taken through the centuries to explore the murky underbelly of Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city. But beware, as Vampires, ghosts, murderers and poor creatures from Waterford’s past will make an appearance during this limited edition tour. For those brave enough, make for the ultimate Halloween experience and visit the Irish Wake Museum for a guided ‘After Dark’ tour. Explore life and death, including the traditions and superstitions, from early Christian times right up to the 20th century – not for the faint-hearted!
Dark History tours are running from the 23rd – the 27th of October from 7 p.m. Suitable for ages 16 and over. After Dark at the Irish Wake Museum is running from the 30th of October – 3rd November at 5pm, 6pm and 7pm. Suitable for ages 14 and over.
For more information or to book tickets, visit www.waterfordtreasures.com
Lismore Heritage Centre
Visit Lismore for a ‘spooktacular’ good time this Halloween. For families and movie-lovers, get the popcorn ready as Lismore Heritage Centre is showing Beetlejuice on Monday 30th October, Addams Family Values on Tuesday, 31st October and Hocus Pocus on Thursday 2nd November. Alternatively, if you’re feeling confident, complete your own scary tasks at the heritage centre’s Escape Room.
For those looking for a spine-chilling experience, head to CARNEVIL at Lismore Castle, where each step taken will feel as if descending into a nightmarish realm where reality and fantasy entwined. Visit a world that reveals itself only on the darkest of halloween nights!
From Pumpkin carving and fancy dress parades, to scary movies and CARNEVIL, there is something for everyone happening in Lismore this Halloween.
For more information or to book tickets, visit www.discoverlismore.com or www.carnevilatlismorecastle.
Ladcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens
Lafcadio Hearn wrote and translated many Japanese Ghost Stories, so there is no doubt the Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens is the perfect setting for an ultimate Halloween experience. For the ‘Little Monsters’, families can enjoy a unique day-time Ghostly Woodland Walk. Beware when you cross the Japanese Bridge and enter the Woodlands, as ghouls, witches and skeletons are found lurking in the undergrowth and high up in the trees.
For Adults there will be a special ‘Cotton Thread’ art installlation which will form cobwebs in the Woodlands, as the Japanese gardens continue to make its events more sustainable. Children and adults can enjoy storytelling of classic ghostly tales – not a trick, but a treat!
For more information or to book tickets, visit www.lafcadiohearngardens.com
Sproai’s Samhain Celebrations
To add something new to the cauldron this year, Spraoi is hosting a Samhain Procession adjacent to the People’s Park on Friday, October 27th at 8.00 p.m. The new event, which replaced the annual ‘Wicked Woods’ for this year only, is free to everyone, and will celebrate Ireland’s heritage of Samhain and will reimaging much loved Waterford city centre settings.
For more information, visit www.spraoi.com
Mount Congreve
Mount Congreve Gardens have been taken over by spooky skeletons and ghastly ghouls this Hallowen. Dress up and follow the garden’s Halloween trail to help scare the ghouls away – happy haunting! The trail starts from 9am until 3pm. A child ticket includes a kid’s activity sheet and a pumpkin. Pre-booking is recommended as limited tickets are available. Suitable for children aged 4-10.
For more information or to book tickets, visit www.mountcongreve.com
Christ Church Cathedral
Have a night of fright and enjoy scary movies in the ultimate spooky setting, as Christ Church Cathedral will be showing Hocus Pocus at 6pm and for the braver bunch, it will be showing The Conjuring at 8.30pm.
For more information or to book tickets, visit www.thepopupmovieclub.ie
Waterford Greenway
Dare to be scared as the Spooky Tunnel makes a return to the renowned Waterford Greenway at Durrow, from Friday 27th October to Thursday 2nd November. Follow the path through the ‘spooktacular’ tunnel – entry is free, for those brave enough to enter!
This mid-term, spend an unforgettable Halloween in Waterford with a wide range of accomodation located around Ireland’s oldest city and mid-term offers starting from 30th October. To explore accommodation options for Waterford’s ‘Halloween Happenings’, or for further information on Visit Waterford, head over to www.visitwaterford.com.
