GHOULISH GOINGS-ON AND SPOOKY STORIES AT HOOK

A TRADITIONAL Samhain Festival is being held at Hook Lighthouse this Hallowe’en from Saturday, October 28 to Tuesday, October 31.

Féile Samhain at Hook - the oldest intact operational lighthouse in the world - will open with a guided twohour Sunset Tour Experience on October 28 at 5.15 p.m. for a maximum of 24 guests. Visitors will be guided through the and the tour will culminate with the spectacular panoramic views of the rolling seas while visitors savour Irish mead and prosecco, along with a selection of canapes made from local produce as the sun sets over the lighthouse watch room and balcony. The experience will also have a haunting flavour added with tales of some horrible histories from the Hook Peninsula. Pre booking for this experience is essential, call 051 397055.

On Sunday, Monda and Tuesday evening (October 29-11) from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. an ‘Evening of Fire' based on the ancient tradition of Samhain of extinguishing old and lighting and anew will take place. Age-old tales of Samhain will be shared by 'Druids' around the circles of fire at Hook Lighthouse. Families are invited to gather around the blazing fire baskets beneath the ever- I resent

beam of the 800-year-old lighthouse to hear stories of druids and ancient Irish Samhain customs and heritage in the graveyard of one thousand ships. These events are on offer free of charge and no pre-booking is required.

During the evening special ghastly lantern-lead Halloween tours only for those who like the ghoulish and ‘spooky’ will be on offer at 6 p.m., 7 p.m., and 8 p.m. Visitors will venture into darkness and ascend the 115 steps of the lighthouse tower for a night-time view of the graveyard of 1,000 ships, explore the original keepers’ quarters and learn about the ghostly tales behind the lighthouse and its grounds, including the paranormal experiences of previous guests and staff. Atmospheric lighting and creepy nooks and crannies along the way create an experience which is not for the faint-hearted. These tours are suitable for brave adults and braver kids but are not for anyone of a nervous disposition. Pre-booking is advised and available on www.hookheritage.ie

Art workshops will be open daily with Halloween specials, pumpkin carving will take place each evening in the conservatory from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at €5 per person.