Halloween Ghosts, Kilkenny

Kilkenny has been celebrating its 400th anniversary this year and for Halloween, the Marble City turns its attention to some of its long-deceased residents who still hold a spell over the Cats. The most famous of these is Dame Alice Kyteler, perhaps Ireland's first 'Black Widow', accused of poisoning her four husbands and practising sorcery and witchcraft.

The night before she was due to be burned at the stake in 1325, she fled the city and was never officially heard from again.

On October 31, Dame Alice and her pointy-hat followers will make a dramatic re-appearance in Kilkenny as part of the Halloween Ghosts celebration, when the streets will be haunted by spirits raised from the grave. There might even be an appearance by the odd giant. Visit kilkenny400.ie for more.

Ballyhoura Spook, Limerick

If you go down to the woods today, you'd better go in disguise. The first Ballyhoura Spook is pulling out all the shocks this Halloween.

On Saturday 31, Ballyhoura Forest in Ardpatrick will be crawling with wicked witches, goblins and creatures of the night, as family-friendly guided walks begin after dark. There will be fancy dress competitions, face-painting and other tricks and treats on the night, plus plenty of hot drinks to warm you up after your blood runs cold.

Meanwhile, cyclists should take note of the Ballyhoura Screamer, a two-stage, day and night mountain bike race challenging the pedalling hardcore to a 30km day race and 10km night-time trail. See ballyhouraspook. wordpress.com for more.

Halloween Horror Week, Wicklow

A week of horror is underway at Wicklow Gaol, until October 31, with plenty of nerve-wracking events for adults and children to sink their teeth into. Scary movies will be shown on various nights, such as Ghost Hunters International, and there are hair-raising night-time tours of the gaol.

On Sunday 25, the Scary Sunday Jail Break will challenge families to break out of gaol, with prizes for the winners. Tuesday 27 sees a Haunted History Night, where some of the gaol's most notorious crimes are recreated, while on Saturday 31, there's an adult fancy dress party with traditional Halloween games plus angel readings by psychic Angie Freeman. For more details see wicklowshistoricgaol.com.

Trabolgan Holiday Village, Cork

The owners of this long-established holiday village know a thing or two about entertaining kids, and this Halloween they're running a Haunted Mansions show, together with a Halloween trail, catch the witch game and fancy-dress party, with prizes for the scariest costume.

For younger children, meanwhile, there are Trabolgan's regular shows, featuring characters such as Barney, Angelina Ballerina and Bob the Builder. Older kids have a choice of outdoor pursuits such as archery and zip wiring, and the sub-tropical pool remains a huge draw for families every year. You can stay at the village's Chestnut accommodation, which sleeps five, from €25 per person per night for a week-long break. Tel: 021 466 1551; trabolgan.com.

The Virginia Pumpkin Festival, Cavan

In its third year, this bash offers families some terrifyingly good options for this bank holiday weekend. And even if you missed last night's town blackout and parade, there's still plenty going on over the next two days.

Today, there's a teddy bears' picnic, children's fancy dress party and crafts and food stalls, plus a headline gig from Irish band Bell X1.

A monster fancy-dress ball is the centrepiece of tomorrow's ghoulish fun, along with street performers, a soapbox derby, street carnival and a fireworks display at Lough Ramor shore.

Prices for Sunday's fun are €10 for adults and €5 for the under 18s, while under 12s go free. See virginia.ie for more.

Galway's Latin Quarter

What better way to kick-start the spookiest weekend of the year than with a VIP trip to Hell and back, just one of the prizes to be won during the Halloween festivities in Galway's Latin Quarter next weekend. That holiday might not sound too appealing, but, as ever, the devil is in the detail: Hell is the name of a town in Grand Caymen Island in the Caribbean. A frightful fancy dress party kicks off festivities on Friday night. Other shivery treats over the weekend include scary storytelling, a kids-only fancy dress party and other traditional Halloween-night fun and games.

The World Ghost Convention, Cork

If you've ever had an other-worldly experience but are too twitchy to admit it, head for the 9th World Ghost Convention (October 30), where you'll meet like-minded souls fascinated by all things supernatural. The spooky Cork City Gaol, which has its own ghostly residents, is the ideal setting for the convention. A panel of guest experts will discuss all manner of spine-chilling subjects, such as the idea of a sixth sense and communicating with the dead. With clairvoyants, folklorists and mediums in attendance, there'll be no end of spookiness afoot. Admission is €25. For details email irishghostfestival@ yahoo.com or call 021 427 1659.

Boda Boo! Lough Key Forest and Activity Park, Roscommon

This Halloween (from today until November 1), the Park's Boda Borg games have been transformed into Boda Boo, with its tunnels and trip-wires scarified up to suit the occasion.

Expect storytelling, pumpkin carving and face painting to entertain kids tomorrow in the Visitor Centre. There's also a Spooky Trail through the old service tunnels and over the Tree Canopy Walk, and a children's disco in the Visitor Centre.

The caravan and camping park will be open from October 23 to November 1. Caravans can stay for €20 a night, while for tents it's €10 a night. To book a pitch, visit loughkey.ie or call 071 967 3122.

Haunted Gardens at Birr Castle Demesne, Co Offaly

The old joke goes that Birr is the coldest place in Ireland, but thrill-seekers will be trembling with different kinds of chills at Birr Castle Demesne this Halloween. The annual Halloween Night bash takes place on October 31, where families with little critters aged 10 years and younger can trick or treat in the ghostly gardens, and even knock at the castle door to get a special treat -- advance booking essential. Visit birrcastle.com.

Elsewhere in the Shannon region, bank holiday Monday (October 26) is Haunt Day at Bunratty Folk Park. There's fancy dress, face-painting, magic shows, a musical Celtic Halloween exhibition, a display of fearsome creatures such as tarantulas, snakes and lizards, and the unveiling of a new Pirates of the Caribbean-themed show. See discoverireland.ie/shannon.

Banks of the Foyle Halloween Carnival, Co Derry

Now in its 20th year, the Banks of the Foyle Carnival is packed with family-friendly events over October 30-31. On both days, there are magic shows, face painting, storytelling and balloon modelling, as well as puppet shows, spooky tours of the Tower Museum and Haunted Happenings at the Workhouse Museum.

Elsewhere, the Aquarium will turn into an A-Scarium, and there will be a red kite, witch-themed fright night. There are also carnival workshops, teddy bear shows and a performance from the children's entertainers, The Singing Kettle group. Meanwhile, for grown-ups looking for thrills, there are lots of Halloween Night balls to choose from at the likes of the Old World Centre Courtyard, a fancy dress party at Da Vinci's Hotel, a period fancy dress bash at the Best Western White Horse Hotel, and a Halloween Ball in aid of NI Children's Hospice in The Waterfoot. See derrycity.gov.uk/Halloween.

- Declan Cashin

Irish Independent