WHAT'S ON: Your Complete Guide to Halloween events in Meath
As part of the “Spirits of Meath Halloween Festival” over 35 events will take place over the coming week. Recognised as one of the largest Halloween Festivals in Ireland with the events categorised by ‘Fun by Day’ family friendly events and ‘Frights by Night’ adult events, there is something to suit all age groups. Meath has the distinction of being the birthplace of Halloween, as according to legend Samhain, the ancient Celtic festival that we now call Halloween, originated on the hill of Tlachtga, near Athboy in the Boyne Valley, in Ireland’s Ancient East more than 3,000 years ago.
Those wishing to take part in the Spirits of Meath Halloween Festival 2018 are spoiled for choice with many family events to choose from including Art Competitions; Fancy Dress events; Spooky Mid-Term camps; Halloween Hunts; Friendly Witch Workshops; an opportunity to meet with professors of the wizarding world in Slane Castle; Scary Tales in Tayto Park; Pooka Spooka in Causey; Pumpkin Patch & Bounce at Navan Adventure in Navan Racecourse to a ‘Haunted Halloween’ in the Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre, Oldbridge.
The adults are also catered for with many night-time events that will leave you scared out of your wits including Murder Mystery Dinner Parties; Rocky Horror Picture Show; Farmaphobia that is certainly not for the faint hearted; and an evening of Terrors at Tayto Park.
On the eve of Samhain, October 31st, a re-enactment of the first Halloween 3,000 years ago will take place in Athboy, Co. Meath with a ‘Flame of Samhain’ being rekindled on the Hill of Tlachtga and the retelling of the story of Samhain. With the numbers expected to be in the thousands, all will gather at the Fair Green in Athboy before making their way in a torchlight procession to the Hill of Tlachtga (Ward).
The Spirits of Meath Halloween Festival, now in its 10th year will run to November 4th and is an initiative of Boyne Valley Tourism in Ireland’s Ancient East. The full event programme and a downloadable Spirits of Meath Halloween Festival Brochure is available on www.spiritsofmeath.ie
HERE'S A SELECTION OF FAMILY FUN EVENTS
ATHBOY
An authentic retelling of the story of Samhain at the Hill of Ward near Athboy. A torchlight procession will make its way from the Fair Green in Athboy up to the top of the hill where the original Halloween began centuries ago. Fair Green Athboy, Wednesday, 31st October - 6 to 9pm.
Free.
TRIM
Trim based Leinster Horse and Pony Rescue will hold a Halloween Fancy Dress Night fundraiser in Teach na Teamhrach, Trim Road, Navan, on Saturday, 27th October. There will be finger food, a DJ and raffle and prizes for the best dressed (individual) and best dressed couple. Doors open at 8pm, entry is €10 at the door. Over 18's only.
Dunderry Camogie Club will host its annual Flick or Treat Halloween Movie night in St Mary's Primary School, Patrick St, Trim on Monday October 29th. This year's ghoulishly good movie will be Casper with great prizes on the night for fancy dress. Doors open at 5.30 pm, movie at 6pm. Entry fee is €8 at the door. This is a non-alcoholic, all ages event and all are welcome.
Come and explore a spine-tingelling exhibition of Medieval life at the Trim Visitor Centre located in the shadow of the great ruined castle. See the weaponry and equipment used by Norman Knights who lived in Trim 800 years ago. Trim Visitor Centre, Castle Street, Trim, Co. Meath.
Monday 22nd October - Friday 26th October, Monday 29th October - Wednesday 31st October Time of event: 11a.m. - 2p.m.
Entry is free but donations are welcome to support to medieval room.
DROGHEDA
Lantern lit canoe tours on the Boyne in Drogheda, passing the historic Battle of the Boyne site at Oldbridge, with Celtic Adventures.
Celtic Adventures Boyne Canal Boyne Canal Oldbridge DroghedaSaturday, October 27, 2018 - 7pm to Saturday, 3rd November, 2018 - 9.30pm
€35.
FORDSTOWN
Pick your own pumpkin straight from Ireland’s largest and best known pumpkin patch. make your way through our magical maze before picking your pumpkin from the thousands of pumpkins of lots of different varieties! We also have homegrown potatoes and sweetcorn on the farm too!
Check out our opening times page (www.alrightpumpkin.com) for our dates. There is no need to book, there are no tickets needed and no cover charge! Just call over on a day we are open!
KELLS
Fancy Dress Lunch with activities, fun and games for the family to enjoy over lunch.
Vanilla Pod restaurant, Headfort Arms Hotel, Headfort Place Kells, Meath
Sunday, October 28, 2018 - 1-4pm
Adults €25.95, Children €10 (2yrs & under -free)
A permanent, purpose built course nestled in woodlands on the edge of the ancient town of Kells Co. Meath, the home of The Book Of Kells. Charge through dense woodlands, icy streams, and bottomless ponds, even scale the remnants of the infamous Pale. With over 60 obstacles over a 5km course, this is a challenge worthy of any warrior. Climbs, crawls, swings, jumps, slides and dives this course will test your mettle - both physically and mentally.
Grange Glebe, Kells, Co. Meath A82 PF5N Saturday, 20th October, 2018 - 9.30 to 12pm €50-€65
Halloween Night out in Live nightclub, Kells. There will be a prosecco cocktail on arrival and bar food included 80s/90s disco, raffle as well as prizes for best costume. All proceeds go to Kells People’s Resource Centre
Live Nite Club Kells Headfort Place, Kells, Meath
Friday, 26th October, 2018 21:00
Tickets €20pp - available from the Resource Centre 046 9247161
NAVAN
Bakealicious will host a Harvest Supper Club, in aid of Laura Lynn Children’s Hospice. Seasonal dishes, locally sourced ingredients and Halloween… the perfect combination for a fantastic supper club. The evening will be themed and guests are invited to join us in their best Halloween attire.
Bakealicious, Old Cornmarket, Navan
Saturday, October 27, 2018 - 7-10pm
€45pp