WHAT’S ON AT HALLOWEEN

COMPLETE WICKLOW GUIDE INSIDE

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25

SPOOKY STORY TIME Greystones Library 10.30 a.m.

Beautiful babies, terrifying tots and up to scarey six-year-olds are welcome to listen to some spooky tales. Costumes encouraged. CHARITY SOCCERY MATCH Carlisle Grounds, Bray 4 p.m.

Teams from Little Bray Community Centre and An Garda Síochana will do battle at this second annual match in memory of Keelan O’Connor. Keelan (15) sadly lost his life to Meningococcal B meningitis in September 2015 and the match will be a fundraiser for the Meningitis Research Foundation and Temple Street Children’s Hospital. ALL SHOOK UP St Mary’s College 8 p.m.

The students and staff invite one and all to get ‘All Shook Up’ at this year’s school production. There are special priced tickets available for this show: OAP and student tickets are €8 while family tickets (two adults and two children) are €40. Normal tickets are €14 and all are available from the school’s website and Facebook page.

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 26

BITE ME Mermaid Arts Centre 11 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Joanne not only lost weight, she lost jobs, friends and fellas – but it didn’t matter because she could wear bangles as belts. Then one day, Joanne discovers she’s also lost her mind. School and group tickets for the 11 a.m. show are €8 (teachers free); normal tickets are €16. FANCY DRESS TABLE QUIZ The Martello, Bray 7 p.m.

Brainiacs and quiz-masters are more than welcome at this fundraiser for the Triple A Alliance. There will be a prize for best costume, spot prizes and a raffle. It will cost €40 to enter a team of four. PARANOIA Glenart Estate From 7.40 p.m.

Only the bravest will survive their visit to the morgue, the asylum, house of horrors, the quarantine rooms, the dolls’ house, the forest of death and the clowns house. Not suitable for children. Limited tickets are available from glenartoutdoors. com and cost €12.50.

ALL SHOOK UP

St Mary’s College 8 p.m.

The students and staff invite one and all to get ‘All Shook Up’ at this year’s school production. Tickets are €14 and all are available from the school’s website and Facebook page.

CATFISH KEITH

Courthouse Arts Centre, Tinahely 8.30 p.m.

Cutting-edge blues singer, songwriter and bottleneck slide guitarist Catfish Keith has established himself as one of the most exciting country blues performers of our time. His innovative style of foot-stomping, deep delta blues and American roots music has spellbound audiences the world over. He hasha reinvented the guitar with great powerpo and artistry, and brings a rare beautybe and vitality to his music. Tickets,Ti which are available from theth Courthouse, cost €16/€14.

FRIDAY,F OCTOBER 27

POISONOUS PANTRY Russborough House Noon to 3 p.m. (on the hour)

Children aged three to ten years are invited to immerse themselves in Halloween with cookie decorating, spooky stories and Yummy hot chocolate in the Poisonous Pantry. There will also be a competition for the best Halloween costume throughout the week. Bookings on 045 857497 and the cost is €7 per child. BAT CHAT Arklow Library 3.45 p.m. to 4.45 p.m.

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HALLOWEEN DISCO

Grand Hotel 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The children can start the midterm in style (fancy dress style, preferably) at this fundraising disco in aid of the Wicklow Hospice Foundation. Entry is €5.

SPOOKS PARADE

Bray Retail Park 4.30 p.m.

Led by Count Dracula, local children will go from store to store on a spooky adventure, trick or treating staff and customers alike. The children will be entertained by magicians, jugglers and face painters with a Halloween DJ providing suitable ghoulish tunes. Children and their families are advised to arrive at 4 p.m. and get their faces painted before the parade at 4.30 p.m.

CHILDREN’S DISCO

The Bridge Tavern, Wicklow 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Gaelscoil Chill Mhantain invite all pupils and their siblings to start mid-term in style at this fancy dress disco in the Bridge Tavern’s function room. This is an alcohol-free event. Admission is €2.

FAMILY QUIZ FUNDRAISER

Little Moon, Coolboy 7 p.m.

The whole community is invited to take part in this family quiz in aid of Coolboy GAA juveniles. Tables can consist of two adults and three children and cost €20.

FRIGHTFULLY FUN DISCO

Nun’s Cross National School 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Cute, creepy and crazy costumes are more than welcome at this spooky Halloween celebration, where there will be spot prizes, a raffle, refreshements and more. Admission is €5 for adults and €2 for children.

PARANOIA

Glenart Estate From 7 p.m.

Not suitable for children. Limited tickets are available from glenartoutdoors.com and cost €12.50.

GAOL NIGHT TOURS

Wicklow Gaol

7.30 p.m. and 8.30 p.m.

Only the bravest adults will take on these night-time tours of one of Wicklow’s most-haunted buildings. Tickets, which are available from Wicklow Gaol, cost €15.

SPOOKY GRAVEYARD WALK

Arklow Municipal District office 7.30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Local historian Pat Power will lead this evening walk. Organised as part of the Spook-tacular Halloween in Arklow. If the weather is not agreeable, it will be held in the Arklow Municipal District office. FANCY DRESS FUNDRAISER Porterhouse, Bray 8 p.m.

Help raise funds for My Canine Companion at this charity night in memory of Sean Madden. Fancy dress is encouraged but not essential. There will be prizes for best dressed and a raffle. Admission is €10.

ALL SHOOK UP

St Mary’s College 8 p.m.

The students and staff invite one and all to get ‘All Shook Up’ at this year’s school production. Tickets are €14 and all are available from the school’s website and Facebook page.

HALLOWEEN GAMES

The Vault, Coomie Lane, Arklow 8 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Suitable for families and children of all ages, this event will feature fancy dress, traditional Halloween games, music and refreshsments. Organised as part of the Spook-tacular Halloween in Arklow. Free entry.

JAZZIN’ IT UP

Whale Theatre, Greystones 8 p.m.

This benefit night for Uganda features a devilish mix of comedy and music. The laughs will come courtesy of The Dirt Birds, Sue Collins and Sinead Culbert while Carmel McHugh and Fiachra Trench will provide the tunes. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets, which are available from the Whale Theatre, cost €35.

MICHAEL WOLLNY TRIO

Mermaid Arts Centre 8 p.m.

Michael Wollney on piano, Christian Weber on double bass and Eric Schafer on drums make up on of the world’s great jazz-driven piano trios. Tickets, which are available from the Mermaid, cost €16.

ANNUAL TABLE QUIZ

Kavanagh’s Vartry House, Roundwood 8.30 p.m.

Roundwood Golf Society will host its annual quiz night in aid of Roundwood senior citizens’ Christmas party.

EERIE TALES

John Joe’s Pub, Main Street, Arklow 8.30 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Arklow House of Stories will take a terrifying turn this Halloween.. Organised as part of the Spook-tacular Halloween in Arklow.

FUNDRAISING DANCE

Mick Reid’s bar, Blessington 9.30 p.m. to 12.30 p.m.

A fundraising dance in aid of Blessington Men’s Shed featuringmusic by Adrian Ryan, who appeared on ‘Glor Tire’ a few years ago and did very well. Admission is €10.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28

HALLOWEEN AT GLENROE Glenroe Farm 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Come visit the scary maize maze game ‘Spellbound’, hear spooky stories from Aron the Storyteller and visit the haunted cottage as well as all the usual attractions at the farm. ‘Spellbound’ and the spooky stories are ticketed events (tickets issued at admission desk) but places are limited. Last admissions at 4 p.m. Tickets cost €7 for both adults and children (under twos go free) while family tickets cost €25 (two adults and two children – additional adult or child costs €5 each).

SCARECROW BUILDING AND PUMKIN CARVING

Killruddery House and Gardens 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Kids can choose a pumpkin in the walled garden and have it carved by a master craftsman. Afterwards, head over to the scarecrow plots to design and build a scarecrow for the scarecrow competition. Book online at Killruddery.com. Family tickets are €35 for the pumpkin carving and €40 for the scarecrow building (add-ons are available and there are special prices for Killruddery members).

POISONOUS PANTRY

Russborough House Noon to 3 p.m. (on the hour)

Suitable for children aged three to ten years. Bookings on 045 857497 and the cost is €7 per child.

HALLOWEEN FAMILY FUN

Bridgewater Shopping Centre Noon to 4 p.m.

Unleash the inner superhero this Halloween during thisfree family fun day. There will be music, Halloween crafts and lots of superheroes in attendance. Little fold should make sure to come dressed as their favourite superhero for the fancy-dress parade.

TRICKORTREATONTHESTREET

De La Salle Pastoral Centre, Wicklow From Noon

Children and parents are invited to dress up in their favourite fancy dress and embark on this trick or treat treasure hunt around Wicklow town. Registration is from noon to 2 p.m. at the De La Salle Pastoral Centre and the children will visit approximately 15 local businesses, where they must answer a question before moving onto the next one.

PUMPKIN PICKING

Tinahely Farm Shop

Noon to 3 p.m. (every half hour)

Take the tractor and trailer to collect a pumpkin from the field, then head back to the activity barn for a hot chocolate and indoor Halloween activities. Booking essential. Cost is €14.50 per child (no charge for adults).

KIDS SPOOKY GAMES

Wicklow Gaol 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

All the family can join in these spook-tacular Halloween games, including a rat count, spider search and terrifying touch. Fancy dress welcome. Included in normal admission price: adults cost €7.90 and children cost €5.

PUPPET THEATRE

Whale Theatre, Greystones 2 p.m and 4 p.m.

Wicklow’s McCormick Puppet Theatre presents this stunning tale of Sinbad the Sailor Punch & Judy Meet the Ghoul. Suitable for the whole family. Tickets, which are available from the Whale, cost €8 or €20 for a family of four.

HOCUS POCUS

Arklow Leisure Centre 3 p.m.

This Halloween classic is being screened as part of the Spook-tacular Halloween in Arklow. Entry is €5 or €15 for a family of two adults and two children.

COOLLATTIN KIDS’ TOURS

Coollattin House 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The children’s guided tour of the house and grounds is suitable for those aged six and over and will include storytelling and a puppet show. Visitors can check out the nooks and crannies, experience the hidden secrets of the house and meet some of the fascinating characters who are coming along to bring the house to life. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Cost is €10 per person, call 087 6985275 for tickets.

HALLOWEEN PARTY

Ballinaclash Community Hall 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Ballinaclash Foroige Youth Club invite little goblins, brave superheroes and the fairest in the land to an afternoon of spooktacular Halloween fun. Entry is €3 per child.

STARS IN THEIR EYES JUNIOR

Arklow Bay Hotel 5 p.m. Arklow Panto Creations host

this show jam-packed with talented kids. Doors will be open 45 minutes beforehand. Tickets, which are available on the door or from Arklow Building Supplies, cost €7 (or €15 if also attending the adult show). CANDLELIGHT WALK Roundwood AFC 5.30 p.m.

Get your costume on and come along to this fun and not-too-scary stroll around the Vartry Reservoir. Bring the dog (on a lead) and the parents or even the grandparents – the more the merrier! Refreshments available and fancy dress is optional. Cost is €10 per family. COOLLATTIN ADULT TOURS Coollattin House 7.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.

Visitors will have an opportunity to check out the nooks and crannies and experience the hidden secrets of the house and to meet some of the fascinating characters who are coming along to bring the house to life for this one spooktacular weekend. Cost is €10 per person or €15 if also attending Sunday’s Dracula’s Ball. Call 087 6985275 for tickets. THE 20K DROP Parkview Hotel, Newtown 8 p.m.

Just eight questions stand in the way of the eight contestants and €20,000 in cool, hard cash. The contestants will be picked from the audience at this fundraiser for St Kevin’s NS in Greystones – they just need to make sure the money is on the correct answer. Tickets, which must be bought in advance by calling 086 1546609, cost €25 or €80 for families or groups of four. NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET Arklow Leisure Centre 8 p.m.

This Halloween classic is being screened as part of the Spook-tacular Halloween in Arklow. Entry is €5. THE WRITING LIFE Mermaid Arts Centre 8 p.m.

Spare, dark, subtle and lyrical, Mary Costello’s work has moved readers and critics since the publication of her short story collection The China Factory in 2012. Mary will be in conversation with Wicklow writer Philip St John. Tickets, available from the Mermaid, cost €12. PARANOIA Glenart Estate From 8.20 p.m.

Not suitable for children. Limited tickets are available from glenartoutdoors.com and cost €12.50. STARS IN THEIR EYES JNR Arklow Bay Hotel 9 p.m.

Talented locals take to the stage in this Arklow Panto Creations production. Doors will be open 45 minutes beforehand. Tickets, which are available on the door or from Arklow Building Supplies, cost €10 (or €15 if also attending the junior show). ANNUAL FANCY DRESS PARTY Lynham’s of Laragh 9 p.m.

Lynham’s will be urging all its patrons to don their favourite fancy dress in support of Crumlin Children’s Hospital and Laragh GAA Club at this annual fundraiser. There will be prizes, a raffle and live music. Entry, which will be split between both causes, is €10. FATHER TED FEST Mickey Finn’s Pub, Redcross 9 p.m.

All the favourite characters from the hit show will be causing unholy chaos at the sixth annual Father Ted Fest. The singing priests this year are ‘Feel the Pinch’. HALLOWEEN SOCIAL DANCE Kiltegan Hall 10 p.m. to midnight This dance in aid of Tinkerbell Community Pre-School will feature music from The Wicklow Man and dancing from 10 p.m. to midnight. Supper will be served and there will be spot prizes. Admission is €8.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 29

HALLOWEEN AT GLENROE Glenroe Farm 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Come visit the scary maize maze game ‘Spellbound’, hear spooky stories from Aron the Storyteller and visit the haunted cottage as well as all the usual attractions at the farm. ‘Spellbound’ and the spooky stories are ticketed events (tickets issued at admission desk) but places are limited. Last admissions at 4 p.m. Tickets cost €7 for both adults and children (under twos go free) while family tickets cost €25 (two adults and two children – additional adult or child costs €5 each). HALLOWEEN MARKET Jim Doyle’s Bar Bray 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This free market will feature ghoulish goodies, crafty stitches and lots of spooktacular value. SCARECROW BUILDING AND PUMKIN CARVING Killruddery House and Gardens 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Kids can choose a pumpkin in the walled garden and have it carved by a master craftsman. Afterwards, head over to the scarecrow plots to design and build a scarecrow for the scarecrow competition. Book online at Killruddery.com. Family tickets are €35 for the pumpkin carving and €40 for the scarecrow building (add-ons are available and there are special prices for Killruddery members). POISONOUS PANTRY Russborough House Noon to 3 p.m. (on the hour)

Suitable for children aged three to ten years. Bookings on 045 857497 and the cost is €7 per child. PUMPKIN PICKING Tinahely Farm Shop

Noon to 3 p.m. (every half hour)

Take the tractor and trailer to collect a pumpkin from the field, then head back to the activity barn for a hot chocolate and indoor Halloween activities. Booking essential. Cost is €14.50 per child (no charge for adults). KIDS SPOOKY GAMES Wicklow Gaol 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

Included in normal admission price: adults cost €7.90 and children cost €5. CHILDREN’S HALLOWEEN PARTY Avondale Sports Complex, Rathdrum 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Rathdrum Tidy Towns will cast a spell on the complex to turn it into a terrifying scene this Halloween! Children are urged to come in their best fancy dress for a chance to win a prize. There will also be music, games and dancing. Entry is €5. COOLATTIN KIDS’ TOURS Coollattin House 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The children’s guided tour of the house and grounds is suitable for those aged six and over and will include storytelling and a puppet show. Visitors can check out the nooks and crannies, experience the hidden secrets of the house and meet some of the fascinating characters who are coming along to bring the house to life. All children must be accompanied by an adult. The cost of entry is €10 per person, call 087 6985275 for tickets. SPONSORED WALK Cullen Park, Redcross 5.30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Come dressed in a Halloween costume and enjoy a scary walk and disco in aid of Scoil San Eoin. There will be a raffle and prizes CANDLELIGHT WALK Russborough House 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Come and enjoy an atmospheric stroll around the parklands while helping to raise money for St Mary’s Church, Blessington and the Irish Cancer Society. The cost is €5 per person or €25 per car. PARANOIA Glenart Estate From 7 p.m.

Not suitable for children. Limited tickets are available from glenartoutdoors.com and cost €12.50. COOLATTIN ADULT TOURS Coollattin House 7.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m.

Visitors will have an opportunity to check out the nooks and crannies and experience the hidden secrets of the house and to meet some of the fascinating characters who are coming along to bring the house to life for this one spooktacular weekend. Cost is €10 per person or €15 if also attending Sunday’s Dracula’s Ball. Call 087 6985275 for tickets. FAMILY HALLOWEEN TOUR Wicklow Gaol 6.30 p.m.

A fancy dress night tour for all the family. Normal admission prices apply: Adults cost €7.90 and children cost €5. HOUSE OF HORRORS Arklow Bay Hotel 8 p.m.

This Arklow Hotel will be transformed into a house of horrors as part of this Halloween fundraiser in aid of Temple Street Children’s Hospital. Two bands will entertain the crowd before a DJ keeps the dancefloor hopping into the early hours. There will be prizes for best fancy dress and lots of party games. Tickets are available from the hotel and cost €10. HALLOWEEN PARTY Avondale Sports Complex 9 p.m.

Don your cutiest or scariest costume and head down to the sports complex to celebrate the spookiest time of the year with Big Digger. Prizes for best costumes and more on the night. Entry: €10. HALLOWEEN IN THE ATTIC Christy’s, Arklow 8 p.m.

Enjoy a blood-curdling bank holiday Sunday evening at this fancy dress party held by Christy’s and Arklow RFC. There will be live music, a DJ and spot prizes. Doors open at 8 p.m. Admission is €5. FRIGHT NIGHT TEENAGE DISCO Arklow Rugby Club 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Teenagers aged up to 16 years of age are invited at this fancy dress disco, where there will be prizes for the best costumes and music by DJ Shane Greene. Organised as part of the Spook-tacular Halloween in Arklow. Admission is €5. ROCKYHORRORPICTUREPARTY Whale Theatre 8 p.m.

Frank-n-furter and the gang take over the Whale for a night of devious delights with live dancers, shady characters and wide-eyed romancers. There will be lots of prizes and even more surprises. Doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets, available from the Whale, cost €10. FANCY DRESS PARTY O’Connor’s of Tinahely 9 p.m.

DJ Ger will be keeping the dancefloor packed with ghouls, ghosts and superheroes during