OPW Heritage Sites Host Halloween Events Nationwide, Including A Ghostly Hunt At Charles Fort

The Office of Public Works (OPW) has announced a series of Halloween events at heritage sites across the country, from treasure hunts and workshops to ghost tours. In Co. Cork, the White Lady of Charles Fort is asking children to help find her lost friends.

At Charles Fort Military Fortress, the White Lady is hosting a “Fearful Feast” for her friends, but they are lost in the fort. She is looking for brave, ghoulish and ghostly children to help her locate her eight friends hidden around the site.

Elsewhere, Ross Castle in Co. Kerry will host a “Ghostbusters Halloween Hunt”, along with “Tours for Trainee Ghouls and Goblins” and a special tour, “If These Walls Could Scream”, which tells tales of hauntings and murder within the castle walls over the past 600 years.

The National Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin will run “Samhain Embers” tours exploring the folklore and traditions of Samhain, while the Pearse Museum in Rathfarnham is hosting a pumpkin painting competition with prizes for winners and runners-up. The Rock of Cashel is offering an afternoon of stories and frights, and Ennis Friary has a graveyard trail and a Halloween photo competition with a prize on offer.

Sligo Abbey has a full programme, including a “Ghost in a Jar” workshop, a broomstick-crafting workshop, a Dracula-themed gothic writing competition and a family fancy dress and pumpkin hunt event. At Corlea Trackway in Longford, visitors can enjoy music from the band Fir Bolg and a “Creepy Curiosity Dig”, while Cahir Castle will host a lecture on “The Banshee in Irish Folklore” by historian Dr. Gillian Kenny.

Kevin “Boxer” Moran, Minister of State with responsibility for the OPW:

“It is great to see so many fun, family friendly events on offer at OPW locations across the country this Halloween. Families will be in for a fright with ghastly tours, creepy treasure hunts and frightful workshops on offer. Make sure to visit our participating OPW locations, there is something for everyone to enjoy both young and old.”