WHAT’SON: HALLOWE’ENINCOUNTYWICKLOW
PUMPKIN PICKING
Hop aboard the tractor and trailer at Tinahely Farm Shop to collect a naturally grown pumpkin from the field between noon and 2.30 p.m. The cost is €15 per child, while adults go free, but booking and pre-payment is essential.
MONSTER MASH
Hidden Valley Holiday Park in Rathdrum hosts the classic ‘Monster Mash’. Skeletons and goblins greet you at reception on your arrival to celebrate Halloween. You can look forward to trick-or-treating, best costume award for both adults and children, spooky story telling, haunted games and challenges and some surprise special effects.
HALLOWE’EN AT RIVER VALLEY.
Visit River Valley Holiday Park, Redcross, from 4 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. and follow the yellow brick road along with Dorothy and her dog, Toto, to visit the magical Land of Oz and meet the Wizard, the Scarecrow that needs a brain, the Tin Man missing a heart, and the Cowardly Lion who wants courage. Entry is €5.
MET OPERA: LA FANCIULLA DEL WEST
The Whale Theatre will host a live satellie screening of this romantic epic of the Wild West. Soprano Eva-Maria Westbroek sings Puccini’s gun-slinging heroine alongside star tenor Jonas Kaufmann in the role of the outlaw Dick Johnson. Baritone Željko Lucic is the vigilante sheriff Jack Rance, and Marco Armiliato conducts. The show starts at 5.55 p.m., tickets cost €25 and are available from the Whale.
CANDLELIGHT WALK
Roundwood and District Council and Roundwood AFC are urging little (and not so little) ghouls to gather for the annual Hallowe’en Candlelight Walk around the Vartry Reservoir. Registration takes place at 6 p.m. at Roundwood soccer grounds and costs €10 per family. Fancy dress is optional but always adds to the occasion.
HALLOWE’EN BALL
An autumn gala ball will be held at the historic Killruddery Estate in aid of Their Lives Matter, which supports children’s cancer services in Tanzania. Events begin at 7 p.m. with a drinks reception in the Orangery, followed by a Hallowe’en feast, live music and dancing. Guests are welcome to wear formal/black tie, masks or costumes. Tickets cost €100 and are available from wearetlm.org.
HALLOWEEN AT THE STRAND
Halloween fancy dress at the Strand Hotel in Bray from 8 p.m. until late in the bar with live music. The best costume will win night’s stay.
PARANOIA
Only the brave will visit the Glenart Estate and the terrifying Paranoia. From 7.20 p.m. to 10.40 p.m., there are limited tickets (costing €19.50) still available which should be booked in advance. This event is not suitable for under 13 years.
FANCY DRESS FUNDRAISER
Druids Well pub in Newtownmountkennedy is hosting a fancy dress fundraiser in aid of Pieta House from 7.30 p.m. There will be spot prizes, a raffle, fun, frolics and a good ole dance and all funds raised will be donated to Pieta House.
FATHER TED FEST
Head along to Mickey Finn’s Pub in Redcross from 8 p.m. for a night of unholy chaos. The singing priests will be on stage and Mrs Doyle will be serving her special tea. Extra priests and nuns are always welcome so dig into the wardrobe for some fancy dress fun.
AN EVENING WITH JOHNNY MCEVOY
This nostalgic evening of ‘Song and Story’ will feature many of Johnny McEvoy’s hit songs, plus some songs from his new album. His songs are haunting, evocative and beautifully presented with many in the folk and ballad style. The show starts at 8 p.m. in the Mermaid Arts Centre and tickets, costing €30, are available from the Mermaid.
TEENAGE FANCY DRESS DISCO
Arklow Rugby Club will be invaded by all kinds of creepy characters as this teenage fancy dress disco takes place from 8 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. Suitable for teenagers up to 16 years of age, tickets cost €5. This event is being held as part of the Arklow Hallowe’en festival.
FREAK SHOW
Dig out your favourite fancy dress for this Hallowe’en fundraiser in aid of Trick or Treat for Temple Street. Taking place from 9 p.m. in the Arklow Bay Hotel, this event is for over 18s and will feature music by Black Cherry followed by DJ James Reid. Tickets cost €12. This event is organised as part of the Arklow Hallowe’en Festival.
HALLOWE’EN PARTY
DJ Stu will keep all kinds of creepy, cute and crazy customers on the dancefloor as the West Wicklow House in Blessington hosts its Hallowe’en party from 9 p.m. Fancy dress is optional but adds to the fun!
FANCY DRESS BALL
Aughrim Tidy Towns group are hosting a fun fancy dress ball in Lawless’s Hotel featuring music by Feel the Pinch. Kicking off at 9 p.m., there will be cash prizes for the best costumes. Admission is €10.
PARANORMAL INVESTIGATION
Wicklow Gaol will play host to a paranormal investigation with PRI for those brave enough to seek evidence of spirits wandering the corridors the historic gaol. The experience, which includes refreshments through the night, takes place from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. the next morning. Tickets cost €55 and are available from the gaol.
HALLOWE’EN ON THE FARM
Glenroe Farm hosts a range of activities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. including The Scary Maize Maze Game ‘Spellbound’ (11 a.m., 1.30 p.m. and 4 p.m.), puppet show (noon and 2.30 p.m.), haunted cottage, nature walk, farm animals and more. Events are covered under normal admission prices - €7 for adults and children or €25 for families – but guests must collect a special ticket for the maze game at the admission desk.
TREASURE HUNT
Go on a free 30-minute treasure hunt in the National Park to find some facts about Halloween, nature and folklore. Drop in to the information office at the Upper Lake, Glendalough, at any time between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to start.
ALL KINDS OF EVERYTHING SALE
Donard ICA is holding an ‘All Kinds of Everything’ sale in the parish centre after 11 a.m. Mass. There will be cakes, produce, clothes and bric-a-brac on sale and funds raised will go towards the spring party.
MONSTER MASH
Hidden Valley Holiday Park in Rathdrum hosts the classic ‘Monster Mash’. Skeletons and goblins greet you at reception on your arrival to celebrate Halloween. You can look forward to trick-or-treating, best costume award for both adults and children, spooky story telling, haunted games and challenges and some surprise special effects.
HALLOWE’EN TRAIN
From 11.20 a.m. to 5.40 p.m., jump aboard the Rathwood Express and try to save terrible twins Wizzie and Lizzie from the wicked witch. Suitable for younger children (babies up to eight years old), it gets a little scarier after 4 p.m. for bigger children. The cost is €10 per child and €7 per adult.
PUMPKIN CARVING
Head over to the pumpkin patch at Killruddery’s walled garden from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and decorate a pumpkin. Booking in advance is recommended. A family ticket (two adults, two children and two pumpkins) costs €35 with an option to add-on extra children, adults or pumpkins. A reduced rate is available to Killruddery members.
SCARECROW MAKING
Killruddery is hosting a scarecrow competition from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and creative families are welcome to join in. Booking in advance is recommended. A family ticket (two adults, two children, one scarecrow patch and materials) costs €40 with an option to add-on extra children, adults or scarecrows. A reduced rate is available to Killruddery members.
TRACTOR AND CAR RUN
Coolgreany Vintage Club is hosting a vintage tractor and car run in aid of the Coolgreany Support Fund. Registration is at 11 a.m. with the run starting at noon from Main Street, Coolgreany. Entry is €20.
FUNDRAISING RIDE-OUT
North Wicklow Motorcycle Enthusiasts are hosting a ride-out in support of the fundraising campaign for Greystones lady Jade McCann. The ride-out will leave Coffee Delights at the IDA Business Park on the Southern Cross Road in Bray. All bikes are welcome.
GHOOOUL PLANET
Primary School children are welcome to take part in the Ghoooul Planet Ex-Scream-ience at the Cool Planet Experience in Powerscourt Estate. The workshops take place on the hour from noon to 3 p.m. and cost €10 per child. Tickets are available from the Cool Planet Experience.
POISONOUS PANTRY
Children are invited to come along to the tearooms at Russborough to enjoy some spooky stories and cookie-decorating fun on the hour from noon to 3 pm. The cost is €7.50 per child. Contact Russborough House to book a place.
PUMPKIN PICKING
Hop aboard the tractor and trailer at Tinahely Farm Shop to collect a naturally grown pumpkin from the field between noon and 2.30 p.m. The cost is €15 per child, while adults go free, but booking and pre-payment is essential.
TEA DANCE
There will be a tea dance in Glenealy Hall from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. with music from the Wicklow Man.
HALLOWE’EN AT RIVER VALLEY.
Visit River Valley Holiday Park, Redcross, from 4 p.m. to 8.30 p.m. and follow the yellow brick road along with Dorothy and her dog, Toto, to visit the magical Land of Oz and meet the Wizard, the Scarecrow that needs a brain, the Tin Man missing a heart, and the Cowardly Lion who wants courage. Entry is €5 per person..
CANDLELIGHT WALK
Come and enjoy a leisurely and atmospheric stroll around the grounds at Russborough House from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. for this annual fundraiser in aid of St Mary’s Church in Blessington and other nominated charities. The cost of entry is €5 per person or €20 per car.
GAOL NIGHT TOURS
Experience the compelling and terrifying story of Wicklow’s Historic Gaol but do it in the dark. Explore the gaol, enter the cells and board the transportation ship...if you dare. These tours are for adults only, cost €15 and places must be booked in advance by contacting Wicklow Gaol. The first tour leaves at 7 p.m. and the last at 8.30 p.m.
PARANOIA
Only the brave will visit the Glenart Estate and the terrifying Paranoia. From 7.00 p.m. to 11 p.m., there are limited tickets (costing €19.50) still available which should be booked in advance. This event is not suitable for under 13 years.
THE OLD DARK HOUSE
Mangled Ferret Theatrical Expeditions bring this play by Alan Nolan and Ian Whelan to the Whale Theatre at 8 p.m. Seeking shelter from a rainstorm in a remote region, five weary travellers are admitted to a gloomy mansion belonging to the strange Femm family. Trying to make the best of it, the guests must deal with their sepulchral host, his malevolent sister and the other peculiar inhabitants. Tickets cost €18 for adults, €15 for seniors, unemployed and students.
HALLOWE’EN PARTY
There will be tricks and far more treats as the Coachhouse in Roundwood hosts a spooky Hallowe’en party from 8 p.m. There will be live music from Johnny Cash tribute ‘Walk the Line’, spot prizes and more.
FANCY DRESS PARTY
The Coach Inn, Bray, is hosting a Halloween fancy dress party, featuring live music with Mirage and prizes for best costumes.
FEARSOME FUNDRAISER
Annacurra Community Playground Project is hosting a Hallowe’en party in The Saltee pub from 9 p.m. until late. There will be a DJ, spot prizes, best dressed prizes and a monster raffle draw. Tickets for the raffle cost €5 or €10 for a book of three.
ANNUAL HALLOWE’EN PARTY
DJ Ger will be keeping the goblins, princesses and superheroes on their toes and in their dancing shoes at the annual Hallowe’en party at O’Connor’s of Tinahely. Kicking off at 9 p.m., there will be €500 in prizes, plus spot prizes and plenty of fun and games.
HALLOWE’EN ON THE FARM
Glenroe Farm hosts a range of activities from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. including The Scary Maize Maze Game ‘Spellbound’ (11 a.m., 1.30 p.m. and 4 p.m.), puppet show (noon and 2.30 p.m.), haunted cottage, nature walk, farm animals and more. Events are covered under normal admission prices - €7 for adults and children or €25 for families – but guests must collect a special ticket for the maze game at the admission desk.
HALLOWE’EN TRAIN
From 11 a.m. to 5.20 p.m., jump aboard the Rathwood Express and try to save terrible twins Wizzie and Lizzie from the wicked witch. Suitable for younger children (babies up to eight years old), it gets a little scarier after 4 p.m. for bigger children. The cost is €10 per child and €7 per adult.
PUMPKIN CARVING
Head over to the pumpkin patch at Killruddery’s walled garden from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and decorate a pumpkin. Booking in advance is recommended. A family ticket (two adults, two children and two pumpkins) costs €35 with an option to add-on extra children, adults or pumpkins. A reduced rate is available to Killruddery members.
SCARECROW MAKING
Killruddery is hosting a scarecrow competition from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and creative families are welcome to join in. Booking in advance is recommended. A family ticket (two adults, two children, one scarecrow patch and materials) costs €40 with an option to add-on extra children, adults or scarecrows. A reduced rate is available to members.
TREASURE HUNT
Go on a free 30-minute treasure hunt in the National Park to find some facts about Halloween, nature and folklore. Drop in to the information office at the Upper Lake, Glendalough, at any time between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to start.
GHOOOUL PLANET
Primary School children are welcome to take part in the Ghoooul Planet Ex-Scream-ience at the Cool Planet Experience in Powerscourt Estate. The workshops take place on the hour from noon to 3 p.m. and cost €10 per child. Tickets are available from the Cool Planet Experience.
POISONOUS PANTRY
Children are invited to come along to the tearooms at Russborough to enjoy some spooky stories and cookie-decorating fun on the hour from noon to 3 pm. The cost is €7.50 per child. Contact Russborough House to book a place.
PUMPKIN PICKING
Hop aboard the tractor and trailer at Tinahely Farm Shop to collect a naturally grown pumpkin from the field between noon and 2.30 p.m. The cost is €15 per child, while adults go free, but booking and pre-payment is essential.
SPOOKTACULAR TOUR
Take a Spooktacular tour of Wicklow Gaol starting from 1 p.m. Fancy dress is optional but there will be a prize for best dressed.
THE OLD DARK HOUSE
Mangled Ferret Theatrical Expeditions bring this play by Alan Nolan and Ian Whelan to the Whale Theatre at 4 p.m. Tickets cost €18 for adults, €15 for seniors, unemployed and students.
SPOOKTACULAR DISCO
A fun-filled, family-friendly disco will take place in Roundwood Parish Hall from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. There will be dance competitions, a colour corner, ghoulish games, terrifying tasty treats tuck shop and more. There will also be a fancy dress competition with prizes for the best original costume, best homemade costume, scariest costume, cutest costume and best parent costume. Entry is €5 per child (parents go free).
KIDS’ HALLOWE’EN PARTY
Witches, monsters, ghosts and all their ghoulish pals are invited along to the free annual children’s Hallowe’en bash at O’Connor’s of Tinahely from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be spot prizes, fun and games with DJ Ger and refreshments galore.
GHOULISH KIDDIES DISCO
Children (aged up to 12 years) are urged to come along for plenty of fun, games and prizes in Arklow Scout Hall from 6.30 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. There will be prizes for the best costumes so fancy dress is encouraged. This is being organised as part of the Arklow Hallowe’en Festival.
PARANOIA
Only the brave will visit the Glenart Estate and the terrifying Paranoia. From 7.00 p.m. to 10.20 p.m., there are limited tickets (costing €19.50) still available which should be booked in advance. This event is not suitable for under 13 years.
GHOST WALK
Join local historian Pat Power for a spine-chilling ghost walk around Arklow. Suitable for adults and children, participants should meet at the Arklow Municipal District offices, Castlepark at 7 p.m. If the weather is not agreeable, the event will take place at the district offices. This is being organised as part of the Arklow Hallowe’en Festival.
COLUMBUS
In this unique film, Korean-American Jin travels to Columbus, Indiana, after his estranged father falls into a coma. While there, he meets Casey, a 19-year-old who has found herself stuck in her hometown. As a friendship forms and the conversations grow ever more intense, both Jin and Casey begin to confront their own frustrations with life. Tickets, costing €8, are available from the Mermaid Arts Centre and the screening starts at 8 p.m.
TREASURE HUNT
Go on a free 30-minute treasure hunt in the National Park to find some facts about Halloween, nature and folklore. Drop in to the information office at the Upper Lake, Glendalough, at any time between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. to start.
HALLOWE’EN TRAIN
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., jump aboard the Rathwood Express and try to save terrible twins Wizzie and Lizzie from the wicked witch. Suitable for younger children (babies up