October 2015

Samhain Abhainn Festival will take place from Sunday 25th October to Saturday 31st October in Ballina. This event is becoming one of the West’s scariest festivals and it will celebrate all things ghoulish with a cauldron of unique, hair-raising events.

On Sunday and Monday, experience the mystical Belleek Woods by day as it gears up for the ‘Fanta Scary Woods Walk’. Venture into the wicked woodland and witness the eerie sights and screeching sounds of the haunted forest (suitable for younger children).

On Tuesday and Wednesday, conjure up your own fearsome Halloween costume. The Costume Company will host a costume workshop for children between the ages of 5 and 12 in the Ballina Stephenites.

From Wednesday to Friday don’t miss the ‘Fanta Scary Woods Walk’. Ballina’s Belleek Forest will be transformed into a haunted woodland filled with ghosts and ghouls. Those who dare enter will be led on a chilling expedition sure to quicken the pulse. Make sure to bring your flash light and don’t be left in the dark!

On Thursday and Friday in the Jackie Clarke Collection ‘Spooky Scéals’ will take place. Children under 12 will be invited to attend a series of creepy ghost story readings in the eerie surroundings of the Collection.

On Halloween Day a spooky pumpkin carving workshop (suitable for all ages) will take place at the Ballina Arts Centre from 10am to 2pm. Afterwards, everybody can join the ‘Trick or Treat for Temple Street’ in Costa Coffee from 4pm to 6pm, for face painting, arts and crafts, a mini disco and lots more fun.

In a celebration of all things spooky and scary, and heavily influenced by Irish traditions and customs, Samhain Abhainn in Ballina is becoming one of the best West of Ireland’s family festivals.