Halloween Spirits returning home

'Fun by day' and 'frights by night' are promised in the 2016 Spirits of Meath Halloween Festival, launched by Boyne Valley Tourism. The festival centres around Meath as the original location for Samhain, the ancient Celtic Festival that we now call Halloween.
it is believed that more that 3,000 years ago, the first Samhain Fire was lit at Tlachtga, at the Hill of Ward, Athboy. Samhain marks the end of the old Celtic Year and the beginning of the New Year.
The Spirits of Meath festival is a 24 day celebration of Halloween from 14th October to 6th November, categorised in children’s fun by day and adults frights by night events.
Events for children include a Halloween Cook Camp and a Spooky Family Cook Day at Lismullin School of Culinary and Home Arts, while Solstice Arts Centre in Navan have lots happening including a Brit Flicks Halloween Lego Workshop, or join Jackula on a spooktacular quest to step out of his older brother's shadow and become the world’s most magical vampire.
‘Pooka Spooka’ at Causey Farm again promises magical happenings all around the farm including ‘Squeeze and Scurry’, Limb Throwing and a Fairytale Corn Maze; a walk around Kells will be focused on the Ghost Stories that have echoed around the Ancient East for centuries, followed by a screening of a kiddies Halloween favourite. Slane Tourism Office has a Fancy Dress Halloween Hunt; The ‘House or Horrors’ at Tayto Park is a terrifying and spine tingling experience, and the Headfort Arms Hotel in Kells hosts ‘Storytelling and Songs with the Friendly Witch’ and you can pick your own pumpkin with nobody to scare you at the Alright Pumpkin Patch.
For those adults who dare, there is lots of scary events including The Navan Nightmare when the dark side of Navan comes out as the veil between the living and the dead gets thinner. The Central Bar & Restaurant invites you to their CarnEvil; the horror of 'Farmaphobia' lives on at Causey Farm; or dine with the Adams Family in the CityNorth hotel. A terrifying walk around historic Kells focuses on the satanic and demonic forces at work; While at Oldbridge, the site of the Battle of the Boyle, an evening of ‘haunts’ is promised.
If you dare you could step inside your own personal horror movie at the Haunted Spooktacular horror farm at Grove Gardens.
Michele Whelan, tourism officer, Boyne Valley Tourism, says: “The ‘Spirits of Meath Halloween Festival’ has grown from a nine day to a 24 day event since its launch in 2009. This year, over 35 events are scheduled on the Spirits of Meath calendar of events, with something for all ages. 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 ‘Spirits of Meath Halloween Festival’ full event programme offers 28 different events. Full details and a downloadable brochure can be found on www.spiritsofmeath.ie or from the tourist offices.