October means halloween and spirits of meath festival
Commuters in Navan may have thought that Halloween arrived early as they travelled through Trimgate Street in Navan last week and saw people dressed in Halloween costumes for the launch of the Spirits of Meath Halloween Festival by Meath/Boyne Valley Tourism in the Central Bar.
As Halloween began over 2,000 years ago in County Meath, each year the ‘Spirits of Meath Halloween Festival’ re-creates that first Halloween with a Torchlit Procession and Samhain Festival of Fire, a re-enactment of the first Halloween fire. This takes place on the Hill of Tlachta, Athboy, and is just one of 37 other events announced at the launch of the ‘Spirits of Meath Halloween Festival’ 2015 that promises spooky and fun events for all the family from October 16th to November 1st. A look-back at Samhain 2014 on the Hill of Tlachta, Athboy will be aired on TV Sky 191 at 9pm on Friday 9th October.
Speaking at the launch, Cllr Noel French, Chairperson of Meath Tourism Ltd said: “The Spirits of Meath Halloween Festival is now in its seventh year and is growing from strength to strength. This year, the festival will be bigger and better than ever with 37 scary events taking place throughout County Meath to suit all ages. I thank the Boyne Valley Tourism members for working in unison and promoting their Halloween events as part of the ‘Spirits of Meath Halloween Festival’ and wish everybody success in their individual events.”
Michele Whelan, Tourism Officer, Boyne Valley Tourism, said: “The ‘Spirits of Meath Halloween Festival’ has grown from 25 events over nine days, when the concept was first developed in 2009, to 37 events over 17 days this year. The festival has a jam packed brochure which is free of charge from your local tourist office or by emailing info@discoverboynevalley.ie. A new website www.spiritsofmeath.ie was developed this year that has the full programme of events with venues, event times and a downloadable brochure. This unique festival attracts visitors from all over Ireland and overseas who want to be in the place where Halloween began and learn about the origins of Samhain. It is estimated that the festival in its entirety attracts in excess of 45,000 people to the Boyne Valley each October with an estimated 3,000 bed nights. And the good news does not stop there, the various events support a significant number of jobs during the ‘Spirits of Meath Halloween Festival’.
The 37 scary events that are part of the ‘Spirits of Meath Halloween Festival’ are categorised into Children’s ‘Fun by Day’ and Adult’s ‘Frights by Night’ events. Adults are invited to immerse themselves in the horror of ‘FARMAPHOBIA’, recently awarded Europe’s Best Independent Scare Attraction; these awards are the 'Oscars of the European Scare Industry'. This frighteningly good attraction includes “SCARECUS” that houses a terrifying troupe of crazed circus performers. A ‘Murder Mystery Dinner’ is on the menu at The Station House Hotel, Kilmessan. Or you could step inside your own personal horror movie at the “Haunted Spooktacular” HORROR FARM that includes the Asylum, School House Massacre, Chamber’s Of Terror, Hillbilly Horror’s and Redneck Village.
Some of the gruesome events for kids include: a terrifying and spine tingling experience; ‘Pooka Spooka’ at Causey Farm that promises magical happenings all around Causey Farm including the Fairytale Corn Maze and broomstick rides; A less scary ‘Monster High Family Buffet’ is offered at the Pillo Hotel in Ashbourne, and the Headfort Arms Hotel in Kells invites you to ‘Storytelling and Songs with the friendly witch”. You can also pick your own Pumpkin at Meath Pumpkin Farm, Summerhill and Alright Pumpkin Farm, Girley, Fordstown while Tattersalls invite you to the ‘Drive-in-Movies’ for a “Classic Horror Fest”; Tayto Park once again open their ‘House or Horrors’,
The ‘Spirits of Meath Halloween Festival’ full event programme offers 37 different events. Full details and a downloadable Festival Brochure can be found on www.spiritsofmeath.ie