Halloween question

I would love to visit Ireland during Halloween. The thing is, my husband needs to be home on Saturday. Is it better to go to Ireland the week before Halloween or Sunday and the day of Halloween (and a few days afterwards)? What are the places we have to visit when we are in Ireland for Halloween? Thanks in advance for your advice! Kind regards!

Dag Anja,
How nice that you are planning a visit during Halloween! 

Since you'll have to stay at home on Saturday, it could be a good idea to arrive on Sunday morning to have 2 full days to enjoy, including the night of Halloween where most of the celebrations happen (including the carnival parade and fireworks in Derry-Londonderry).

Our three main Halloween festivals happen from the 28th to the 31st of October, such as the Puca festival, the Bram Stoker festival in Dublin, and last but not least, Derry Halloween.

Here is some more info about Halloween in Ireland. I would also suggest you keep an eye on the schedules of the festivals when they are released. Booking accommodation in advance might be a good idea, as Halloween is a popular time of the year to visit the Emerald Isle.

What else would you like to experience besides Halloween? 

Groet,
Antoine 

Hi Antoine, 
Thank you for all the usefull information.
What else we would like to see:
- Hills and nature.
- My husband likes to try some Irish whiskey.
- A nice city, Dublin/Belfast (both?) or just a typical Irish town. 

I think we will have 6 days to explore Ireland. What would you recommend. Where to go, what to visit? 
 
What's the best place to stay during and after Halloween? What city or town?
How is the public transportation? Can we get at the important places by train or bus? Or is it better to rent a car? We are not used to drive on the left side of the road...

Thank you in advance for all the help and advice! 

Kind regards!

That sounds like an amazing plan, Anja! 6 days is plenty of time to experience Halloween and more.

Derry~Londonderry is known to have a unique atmosphere during Halloween, but that's the case in many other cities and towns. Dublin also has many things going on for Halloween and day trips options by public transport, such as the nearby coastal towns and the Wicklow Mountains. These are two great places for hiking. If you'd like to stay in Belfast for a few days and explore by public transport, that's also an option.

Furthermore, you'll find more info on public transport here, which is really convenient all over the island. Renting a car is also an option if you'd like to go on a road trip and maybe visit places that are more remote.

Finally, we have plenty of distilleries all over the island. Dublin has Jameson and Teeling, while Bushmills is quite famous along the Causeway Coast (between Belfast and Derry~Londonderry)

I hope this helps!

Een fijne avond gewenst,
Antoine

Hey Anja, 

Delighted to hear that you are planning a visit to the Emerald Isle for Halloween this year. 

The celebrations in Derry~Londonderry are among the biggest and best on the Island with this years festival running from 28th - 31st October. Highlights of the celebrations would be the 'Awakening the Walled City' that takes place on the days leading up to Halloween; when the Ancients return to Derry's Spirit Worlds. You can move through the city soaking up installations and atmosphere, myths and magic as each World showcases music and mischief to fill the imagination. On the 31st the streets will be filled for the annual Halloween Parade through the city, culminating in a fireworks display on the River Foyle. 

Although the programme is still being developed, if you keep an eye both on derryhalloween.com & our social media pages, where we will be posting details as they are finalised. 

Derry~Londonderry is also situated where the Causeway Coastal Route meets the Wild Atlantic Way, meaning it is the perfect base for further exploration. The top attractions of the North Coast of Northern Ireland are easily accessed via public transport from the city, and you could also enjoy a day trip to Belfast or towards Omagh and visit the Ulster American Folk Park who usually have some great Halloween events. 

You could also take a visit into neighbouring Donegal - which; although easier navigated when driving, it is possible to visit some lovely seaside towns & fishing villages by public transport. 

As you need to be at home on the Saturday before Halloween, I would agree with Antoine in that you are probably best to travel to Ireland either the Saturday night or Sunday. With Ireland largely being recognised as the birth place of Halloween, developing from the early Celtic festival of Samhain; I have no doubt that wherever you decide to visit there will be some great events and celebrations. However with Halloween being a popular time to visit, I would recommend booking accomodation sooner rather than later to avoid disappointment. 

Happy planning! 

Kind Regards 

The Visit Derry Team.