Ireland’s Home of Halloween programme is planned across seven destination hubs one the coming season:
- Meath and Louth Hub: Immerse yourself in the Spirits of Meath festival, explore the terrifying after-dark Farmophobia mazes at Causey Farm, or check out the striking Lú Festival of Light projections dancing across historic landmarks in Drogheda. Foodies can indulge in the Samhain Festival of Food and Culture in Kells, featuring the atmospheric Long Table Supper.
- Longford and Westmeath Hub: Titled Samhain in the Heartlands, this hub features roughly 50 heritage-driven events. Key spectacles include the Fire and Shadows procession and Dead of Night Festival in Longford Town, lakeside adventures at Belvedere House, and the sacred Samhain ar Uisneach fire ceremony at the Hill of Uisneach, the ancient mythological centre of Ireland.
- Galway Hub: The Gaillimh Ah-Boo! festival turns the city into a playground of the macabre. The legendary Macnas theatre group celebrates 40 years of street performance with its world-famous giant puppet parade on October 25, 2026. Visitors can also brave the underground Creatures of Samhain storytelling portal at DeBurgos.
- Limerick Hub: Running from October 11 to November 1, Limerick offers an offbeat, highly theatrical festival. Catch the satirical musical experience Morbid & Sons – Pop-Up Funeral Shop on the city streets, or secure a ticket to the highly anticipated Samhain Banquet on October 30, which leads guests on a mystery journey to a secret historic venue for seasonal feasting.
- Kilkenny Hub: The headline Toil & Trouble Festival (October 29 – November 1) leans directly into the city’s medieval darkness, marking the history of Ireland’s first witch trials involving Alice Kyteler and Petronilla de Meath. The weekend features a brand-new outdoor spectacle produced by Macnas, alongside Savour Kilkenny harvest markets.
- Fingal Hub: Expanding to over 100 events across 20 venues, Fingal focuses heavily on coastal heritage and folklore. Howth Castle steps in as a major new venue for seasonal activations, while Malahide Castle hosts exclusive after-dark Samhain dining experiences complete with traditional seanchaí (storytellers) and local ghost stories.
- Kerry Hub: Centred around Samhaini Chiarraí, this hub brings southwestern mythologies to life. It weaves local folklore—such as the winter goddess An Cailleach Chiarraí—into existing regional fixtures like the National Circus Festival in Tralee, the Listowel Food Fair, and the magical Sneem International Storytelling and Folklore Festival
