The spooky and not so spooky fun things to do this October

THE SPOOKY & NOT SO SPOOKY FUN THINGS TO DO THIS OCTOBER

It might be October but there is still a lot happening around the country. With schools closing for mid-term you have a great excuse to take in a short break before the year end.

There is a host of Halloween activities taking place suitable for all ages. Some caravan & camping parks have organised their own activities onsite. Why not get out the caravan or motorhome and combine a few days away with activities and fun for all the family.

Hidden Valley, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow have their Halloween Monster Mash from 28^th – 31^st October.

River Valley, Redcross, Co. Wicklow have a host of activities planned during the mid-term break including Ghost Train and Halloween disco for the smallies.

Nore Valley, Kilkenny host their annual Halloween activities including Torch Light Treasure Hunts, scare maze, pumpkin carving, bonfire and toasted marshmallows.

Morriscastle Strand Holiday Park, Wexford will run a host of activities including scary disco, horror movie night, pumpkin patch & carving and competition for the best dressed touring caravans/campers/mobile home & bonfire.

Top of the Rock Pod Pairc & Walking Centre, West Cork will have a big campfire lighting every night where you can toast your marshmallows and view the night sky. You might even see the Northern Lights.

If you would like just a quiet few days away without the scares and horror shows well there are a host of caravan sites still open. Click here for details on all caravan & camping sites in Ireland www.campingireland.ie

Expect the unexpected this Halloween and visit Kenmare for the Kenmare Halloween Howl Festival. It’s going to be a SCREAM. The Haunted House in Drumshambo Co. Leitrim from 27^th to 31^st October promises to be spooky and goulish. Wells House and Gardens, Gorey, Co. Wexford will welcome the return of the acclaimed “Dare to Scare” Halloween tour with more midterm mayhem planned from 24^th – 31^st October. The Bram Stroker Festival is inspired by the heritage of world-famous Dublin horror novelist Bram Stoker and his notorious novel Dracula. This October 28th – 31st, Dublin city will get gloriously gothic. Youghaloween Spooktacular Festival in Cork will celebrate the ancient Irish Festival of Samhain with a truly unique event in Ireland’s Ancient East. The Spirit of Meath Halloween Festival has 40 events throughout Co. Meath and the Boyne Valley from 15^th October to 1^st November.

 Spleodar Halloween Arts Festival, family-focused arts festival over the Halloween mid-term break, presenting a series of exhibitions, performances, concerts and a range of participator workshops across art forms. Samhain Abhainn – Ballina’s much-loved Halloween Festival, returns for yet another year of scares, running from 28th October to 3rd November 2016 with a busy programme of events for children.

Lough Spookey Halloween Festival takes place from 29^th October to 6^th November where the visitor centre will be decorated in Halloween spooky scenes and a host of activities planned each day.

Halloween Festival takes place at Westport House. Head West for two-time winner of ‘Ireland’s Best Halloween’ Fest, have a howl with a host of fun and games, workshops, decorations and activities to enjoy inside the beautifully haunted Westport House.

If Halloween, ghosts and scares aren’t your thing there are other festivals and events taking place.

Ireland’s flagship international Jazz Festival, presenting the best of Irish and overseas musicians in an eclectic programme of jazz and jazz-related music in over 70 venues takes place in the historic city of Cork from 28th October to 31st October 2016.

Wexford Festival Opera, one of the top three opera festivals in the World, presents rarely performed and unjustly neglected operas to a world-class standard in the unique and intimate atmosphere of Wexford Town from 26^th October to 6^th November. Sligo Live– Ireland’s premier folk, roots & indie festival with great traditional, folk, Americana, R&B, blues and all roots music in an incredibly beautiful and historic location is happening in Sligo town over the Bank Holiday weekend.

And, for something different you could try the Kilkenny Food Festival or the Burren Food Fayre both taking place over the Bank Holiday weekend.

For information on a host of other activities and events taking place or suggestions on places to visit please visit www.discoverireland.ie