Your passport to Cork's Halloween thrills and chills is here! From longtime residents to curious spirits, our guide reveals the Halloween magic of Cork.
Popular events abound this season, including the Glin Pumpkin Patch & Spooky Walk, where visitors can explore an enchanting pumpkin-filled landscape while encountering fun and frightful surprises. After Dark Tours - Spike Island offers an eerie exploration of the island's storied past, blending history with spooky tales. And the Derry Halloween Festival is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring vibrant parades and community celebrations. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Halloween Events In and Around Cork
- Derry Halloween Festival (if attendees travel from Cork to Derry) (Derry)
- After Dark Tours - Spike Island (Cobh)
- Cobh Evening Ghost Tour (Cobh)
- Glin Pumpkin Patch & Spooky Walk (Glin)
- Castleconnell Scary Trail Fright Fest 2024 (Castleconnell)
- Traditional Halloween Food and Drink (as part of general Halloween celebrations)
- Dragon of Shandon's Nighttime Romp
See these and even more events listed below!
Cork Area Haunted Experiences
After Dark Tours - Spike Island
What to Expect:
Explore Spike Island's abandoned prison and solitary cells under candlelight, immersing yourself in the dark history of Ireland's most notorious prison.
Description:
Embark on a spine-chilling adventure through the haunting corridors of Spike Island's abandoned prison. Guided by expert storytellers, explore the dark history of Ireland's most notorious prison, including tales of murderers and deviants. Walk through eerie tunnels and solitary cells, immersing yourself in the island's rich and turbulent past. This access-all-areas tour offers an intimate and personal experience, revealing the hidden secrets of Spike Island under the enchanting twilight sky.
Where: Cobh | More Info: After Dark Tours - Spike Island
Cobh Evening Ghost Tour
What to Expect:
Explore Cobh's haunted heritage with a guided tour that combines historical sites with eerie tales.
Description:
Embark on a 50-minute to 1-hour ghostly evening stroll through the darkened streets of Cobh. Listen to local tales of apparitions by the watery quayside and see old buildings associated with hauntings. Hear stories of individuals petrified by what they saw and heard. This tour is a unique blend of history and paranormal activity, offering a chilling experience in one of Ireland's most haunted towns.
Where: Cobh | More Info: Cobh Evening Ghost Tour
Castleconnell Scary Trail Fright Fest 2024
What to Expect:
A haunted trail experience in a transformed Shannon House.
Description:
Castleconnell Scary Trail Fright Fest 2024 is a family-friendly Halloween event where Shannon House in Castleconnell, Ireland, is transformed into a haunted adventure. The event features a scary trail that runs in half-hour time slots, making it accessible to all ages. It is organized by the ACM Community Centre and is wheelchair accessible. All proceeds are reinvested back into the community.
Where: Castleconnell | More Info: Castleconnell Scary Trail Fright Fest 2024
Family-Friendly Fall Activities Near Cork
Derry Halloween Festival (if attendees travel from Cork to Derry)
What to Expect:
A dazzling street celebration of all things spooky with illumination, aerial performances, pyrotechnics, and music.
Description:
Derry Halloween Festival 2024 is Europe's largest Halloween celebration, taking place from October 28th to 31st. The Walled City of Derry transforms into a dazzling street celebration of all things spooky, with illumination, aerial performances, pyrotechnics, and music. Attendees can follow the Awakening the Walled City Trail to discover the folklore, history, and heritage that make this place special. The festival includes Halloween-themed festivities like food markets, parades, carnivals, and family-catered activities.
Where: Derry | More Info: Derry Halloween Festival (if attendees travel from Cork to Derry)
Glin Pumpkin Patch & Spooky Walk
What to Expect:
A family-friendly Halloween celebration with pumpkin carving and a spooky walk.
Description:
Glin Pumpkin Patch & Spooky Walk is a family-friendly event that combines Halloween fun with a pumpkin patch and spooky walk. Families can carve their pumpkins before heading to the Spooky Walk, which offers plenty of sessions to choose from. The event includes face painting, storytelling, and other activities. It's a perfect mix of spooky and fun for all ages, making it a must-visit during the Halloween season.
Where: Glin | More Info: Glin Pumpkin Patch & Spooky Walk
Traditional Halloween Food and Drink (as part of general Halloween celebrations)
What to Expect:
An authentic celebration of mischief, storytelling, music, food, and dazzling spectacle in Ireland's historic Boyne Valley.
Description:
Halloween in Ireland is a time for thrills and chills, with traditions dating back thousands of years to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. Celebrations include spooky festivals, haunted castles, and frighteningly good festivals. The Púca Festival in County Meath is an authentic celebration of mischief, storytelling, music, food, and dazzling spectacle in Ireland's historic Boyne Valley. Traditional Halloween food includes barmbrack, a bread/cake filled with raisins, and colcannon, curly kale cabbage mixed with creamy mashed potatoes.
Where: Cork | More Info: Traditional Halloween Food and Drink (as part of general Halloween celebrations)
Dragon of Shandon's Nighttime Romp
What to Expect:
A 36-foot dragon made by the Cork City community, accompanied by a legion of ghouls, beasts, and misfits, celebrates the ancient tradition of Samhain in a thrilling nighttime parade.
Description:
The Dragon of Shandon is a spectacular Halloween parade in Cork City, Ireland. Since 2006, this nighttime celebration has been a creative partnership between artists and communities. The parade features a 36-foot dragon made by the Cork City community, accompanied by a legion of ghouls, beasts, and misfits. It is a true grassroots event that has grown into a real-life urban legend, showcasing the night-time community spirit. The parade attracts thousands of spectators and is a must-see event on October 31st.