What’s in store at the home of Halloween this year?

Hannah McNamara

With the spooky season approaching, look at the line-up of event the Spirits of Meath Festival has to offer. Treat your loved ones to some quality time or trick them into going to some of the scariest events on offer this month.

The Boyne Valley has long been considered as the home of Halloween. According to legend, Samhain, the ancient Celtic Festival that we now call Halloween, originated at Tlachtga (also known as the Hill of Ward) in the Boyne Valley!

So what better way to celebrate Halloween than a trip to the Boyne Valley to experience the Spirits of Meath Festival 2023 which will run from the 6th October to 6th November.

This year’s line-up is full of exciting events and activities that will definitely appeal to all age groups.

The Funtasia Pumpkin Patch Festival will take place on 14th, 15th, 21st, 22nd, 28th, 29th and 30th October at Funtasia Theme Park, Drogheda. Hop aboard the enchanting pumpkin express. When you arrive, you can hand-pick your pumpkin before you carve and decorate it. You can also visit the arts & crafts area, play games, win prizes, indulge in an array of themed treats and capture the memories with a Halloween-themed photo opportunity. Prices: €9.90 (with pumpkin) / €6.90 (no pumpkin).

From the 27th – 28th October Funtasia Theme Park will also be hosting an electrifying evening of family-friendly thrills at Funtasia’s Family Halloween Waterpark Party. Get ready to groove to the beats of the dynamic DJ, as the waterpark transforms into a mesmerizing wonderland with a fusion of vibrant lights, swirling mist, and pulsating music, which you won’t want to miss. €19.50 per ticket.

Pooka Spooka at Causey Farm will be taking place on 15th, 21st, 22nd, 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st October and is guaranteed to be a great day of Halloween fun for the young (and the not so young). Throughout the day you can get involved in games and crafts, get aboard the hay-ride and check out the pumpkin-carving demonstration. To really get a scare try the story telling and tunnel of terror! €14 per person. Children under 2 free of charge.

The Pumpkin and Fun Family Halloween Festival will take place at Navan Adventure Centre on 21st, 22nd, 28th 29th, 30th and 31st October. Some of the activities include a family fun comedy variety show, pumpkin carving area, Halloween disco, adventure obstacle course, mini golf, pedal go-karting and more! Kids €18 pp. (Early bird price €16 pp, limited early bird tickets). Adults €11 pp. (Early bird price €10 pp, limited early bird tickets). €3 booking fee (per booking transaction, not per ticket).

Lú Festival of Light in Drogheda will run over two long weekends on the 27th – 31st October and 2nd – 4th of November, and will shine a light on the myths and legends from our shared mythological past. Learn about the stories of Amergin, Aengus & Caer, Boainn, Fionn and the Salmon of Knowledge, and Lugh of the Long Arm. The stories will be brought to life over eight days of stunning illuminations that will light up the Old Abbey, St Peters Church and Laurence’s Gate using the latest digital technology. The festival will also host live street performance, together with family friendly entertainment.

Ireland's largest Halloween interactive theatrical experience has returned with some new haunt experiences. Farmaphobia boasts five amazing and diverse haunts and a team of over 200 actors who will push your nerves to the limit. The Halloween experience returned to Causey Farm last week and will take place until 2nd November. Journey through the five horrifying haunts spread over 100 Acres of Fear, with eerie corners, blood-curdling frights and ghoulish entertainers. Farmaphobia doesn't limit their scaretainment to just the haunts, meet some of the Farmaphobia friends roaming around the farm. The experience would not be complete without the return of DJ Spooks who will be performing nightly. For more info or to book your tickets go to https://farmaphobia.com/

Get ready for a thrilling and spine-tingling Halloween season at Emerald Park with the ‘Tricky Trail' and ‘Emerald Park After Dark' events. The Tricky Trail family treasure hunt is set to immerse families in a world of spooky stories, eccentric experiments and captivating entertainment. Entry to the Tricky Trail is included free with all ticket prices on 21st, 22nd, 28th October- 1st November from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Dare to conquer the legendary "Big Eight" attractions at the park's night event. After Dark takes place on 20th, 21st, 28th, and 29th October from 6:30 PM until 10:00 PM. Price: General Admission - €17 and Members - €12. For more information visit https://www.emeraldpark.ie/events/after-dark.

The Otherworld will take place at Loughcrew Estate from the 28th – 30th October. The event will feature spooky Samhain walks as “the Soul Guide” Bartle D’Arcy brings visitors through the veil to the Otherworld – a place where all is not what it seems, and from which some never leave…Nightly tours will take place at 6pm, 7pm, 8pm and 9pm. Book online at https://loughcrew.com/

Of course it wouldn’t be Halloween without the Púca Festival, which is returning from the 27th – 31st October in various locations across Trim and Athboy. The festival will be five days of music, feasting and much more. Headliners for this year include Niall Breslin, Mack Fleetwood, Jason Byrne, The Waterboys, Damien Dempsey, Macy Gray, and much more! Visit: www.pucafestival.com

Make it a Halloween to remember by visiting the Boyne Valley. More information at www.spiritsofmeath.ie