Hallowe’en is fast approaching, and there’s plenty going on to celebrate the night when the ghouls come out to play. With the weather as miserable as it has been lately, hopefully this will be a chance to have some spooky fun without getting rained out of it. Over the last few years, the Hallowe’en spirit has definitely increased in Cork, and this year is no different. Whether you’re a little one or a grown up, Cork has plenty in store for you.
So, what’s going on this year?
Cork City Gaol
Cork City Gaol should be a definite on your list of things to do with the kids this Mid-Term break. From Monday 30th of October to Friday the 3rd of November they will have lots to keep the kids entertained this Halloween season. Come in your fancy dress and enjoy our Black Cat treasure Hunt, Face painting, Balloon making and story telling all in the historic surrounds of Cork City Gaol. Only €5.00 for child admission ticket!
And strictly for the Over 18s, on Sunday October 29th from 7.30pm until midnight at Cork City Gaol the best Halloween Party in Cork this year. Get your tickets HERE.
For one night only, eat, drink and be SCARY in Cork’s most haunted building. Cork City Gaol will host a ghostly gathering of zombies, vampires, the undead and two dead-good DJs in its haunted walls on Sunday 29th of October. It’s fang-sy dress… OOZE sophistication with complimentary food and drinks for our HORRIFICALLY well-dressed guests and dance until the strike of midnight… BONG! As if that wasn’t enough, there will also be a RAFFLE and SPOT PRIZES for best costumes! Reduced rate taxis to the city centre and free entry to Cork’s spookiest Club… Come Along… If You Dare! AND it’s all for a good cause! All proceeds will go to Cork Counselling Services to subsidise our clients so that they only pay what they can afford for professional counselling and psychotherapy.
Dragon of Shandon
The 11th Dragon of Shandon Samhain Parade will take place on 31st October 2017 in the streets of Cork City at 7PM, starting at the junction Church street/Shandon street and ending up with a big finale on Cornmarket street around 8.30PM. More than 20 groups will be involved in this year’s parade and 500 people will make this community project happen. Fifteen thousands spectators will line the streets dressed in Halloween themed creations and an electric air of community carnival will reign on the streets.
Nightmare Realm
From 6 October – 5 November, the Nightmare Realm is providing haunting fun to Cork City. Not for the easily scared off, it’s been a staple of Cork Hallowe’en for the past few years, as The Nightmare Realm has been petrifying Cork since 2009.
This is not your typical (boo) haunted house – there are no ghosts and goblins – our sets and live creatures prey on your darkest fears and bring your nightmares to life. Those brave enough to venture into the Realm are advised to keep their wits about them as danger lurks in every shadow. It’s a thrilling experience for all horror enthusiasts and
Halloween fans, and you will even spot references, characters and moments from iconic
classic horror films along the way.
For those a little more freaked out, they have Zombie Insurance. The scare level in the Realm is reduced for the ‘policy holder’ of the Zombie Insurance, by making the crew inside the realm back off. Zombie Insurance will only be available from the venue at the ticket desk on entry.
This one is strictly for adults and teens only. Younger teenagers may need to be supervised by an adult if they are faint hearted. The scary creatures may come in contact with you. Opening times can be found here, and tickets can be purchased on their website.
Happy Halloween Experience in Dunnes
Families in Cork can look forward to a spooky Halloween half-term treat, with the return of the spooktacular ‘Happy Halloween’ Experience in Dunnes Stores, Patrick Street, Cork. Witch Hattie O’Goodspell, the good witch of Munster, will entertain visitors in her magical spooky home. Hattie is joined by her friends, the spooky skeletons, including old “Lazy Bones”, the bonkers bats, and a host of friendly ghosts and ghouls enjoying their annual Halloween party!
On entering Witch Hattie’s house, visitors meet a friendly trainee witch, who guides them on their journey through spectacular spooky sights, en-route to Witch Hattie O’Goodspell’s house.
Once there you will meet with Hattie herself! Hattie will give you a tour of her magical and spooky lair including her famous witches hat & broom collection. Visitors even get to see where she makes her all of her magic potions!
Everyone leaves with small sweet treat, and a professional photographer is on hand to capture the magical Hallowe’en moment with Witch Hattie O’Goodspell.
Photos can be purchased immediately afterwards in a special photo wallet / frame, a great reminder of a spooktacular fun visit.
Cork Ghost Tour
We did this for a date night a few months back and absolutely loved it. We learned a lot about Cork and had fun in the process – but make sure to wear good shoes!
A one hour walking tour that aims to fright and delight! Join us as we wander through the streets of olde Cork, releasing it’s Spirit as we go and waking the dead as we have the time of our life!
This is a walking tour in Cork city, finely mixing local Ghost stories, Cork’s rich history and fun frights. You’ll enjoy a real experience that is interactive, factual, comic and gives an unusual and honest slant on Cork and it’s surprising history.Cork Ghost Tour is loved by both tourists and locals. Find out more info here.
Cobh Ghost Tour
The Ghost walk of Cobh explores the darker elements of Cobh and Cork Harbour’s past. Tapping into a rich Irish folklore narrative, tales of the paranormal and ghost hauntings are recounted as visitors are taken along the darkened streets of Cobh. Learn about the spectre of a young Irish emmigrant, and the haunting of Pillars Bar and the ghostly cries of a child in a local hotel. The tour finishes with a bloody cocktail.
Suitable for all ages and a great family night out. The Ghost Walk is a great evening out as a precursor to that office party, corporate outing or pre hen night. Find out more information here.
The Addams Family at the Everyman Theatre
Running from 24th-26th October, Montfort College of Performing Arts presents this Broadway musical sensation! The delightfully mysterious world of Gomez, Morticia, Uncle Fester, Grandma, Wednesday, Pugsley and Lurch comes to spectacular life in this all new story.
The comically morbid family is put to the test when outsiders, the Beineke Family, come to dinner hurling them into a night that will change their lives forever. Book your tickets here.
Comedy Improv Halloween Murder Mystery
The Comedy Improvised Murder Mystery Gang are back again with their hilarious ‘off the cuff’ antics for three nights only! This time they have gathered for a relaxed dinner party but there is never time to relax when this gang get together. Pretty soon things get out of hand with deadly (and hilarious) consequences.
With no script to fall back on the actors must improvise the entire plot with its many twists and turns. Once again the audience decide who the unfortunate victim and the mysterious murderer will be. And they will also provide hilarious ‘secrets’ that the cast read out at random moments to add mayhem and mirth to the proceedings. All of this is completed before the show starts so that the audience can then sit back, relax and let the hilarity unfold.
The production is, once again, devised by Cabal Theatre Company director, James Horgan, who says of the show, “Every performance of this show is different because of the audience’s involvement. Some people attended the show a few nights in a row last year because they enjoyed it so much and they saw a completely new story each time. That is the magic and the attraction of improvisation.” Book your tickets in advance here as dates are selling out fast.
Alice In Wonderland – The Everyman Theatre
This classic literary tale enthralls and engages children and adults alike, as they follow Alice who falls down a rabbit hole and lands into a world full of fantastic people and strange and unpredictable events.
Originally adapted for the stage by Jocylen Clarke, this acclaimed production was re-staged by Blue Raincoat last year as part of the companies 25 year celebrations.
This fast-paced and physical retelling of Alice in Wonderland is not to be missed. Book your tickets on the Everyman Website before they sell out.
Zombie Walk
The Cork Zombie Walk is a family fun event. It takes place on Saturday 29th October starting at 6pm. All are welcome, last year they even had a few Zombie Dogs!! If you have zero costume or make up ideas, just pop along to Grand Parade in some old clothes and our volunteers will turn you into a Zombie!!
Hip Hop Dance teacher Trish Kelleher is choreographing a Zombie Dance performance with James Nation from The Rhythm Rebels and Andrea Williams along with her Dancers, to be performed at 7pm before the start of the Zombie Walk.
The Walk will start straight after the dance and it will leave from Grand Parade, turning onto Tuckey Street, followed by a 2km walk around the city. There will be a few surprises along the way!!
There will be prizes distributed for Best Dressed Zombie etc and there will also be a raffle on the night.
See more information on their Facebook page.
Spike Island After Dark
Join one of the Spike Island After Dark’ tours to learn about the chilling history that haunts this beautiful island habitat. Hear about the horror of the convict’s treatment when Spike was the world’s largest prison in the 1850’s Punishment block, a prison built with the sole purpose of punishing human beings. Its dreadful conditions led to several suicide attempts, some successful, and these grim cells hold many memories today.
The islands beauty did not spare it from the worst of human nature, and you’ll hear the stories of murders that took place such as nationalist Patrick White who was killed in a spiteful act of revenge by his keepers. We talk about the brutal murder of a prison warder in the 1800’s, a event carried out by some of the many dangerous characters who were imprisoned on Spike, often sitting chained to the walls in their cells, covered head to toe in black save for 2 slits for eyeholes. The tour will take you to areas no day tour can go as we walk mysterious underground tunnels and cells that are sure to chill as much as they excite. The island’s fame has seen many paranormal groups visit the island, with Ghost Hunter International visiting and doing a show in 2010 and subsequent visits from GhostEire and Cork Paranormal Investigators. Now it’s your chance to visit the island and discover for yourself. Do you dare to visit Spike Island After Dark?
Book your tickets here if you dare.
So, there we have it. All the things spooky and creepy in Cork City this Hallowe’en – what scares have you got in store? Let me know if I’ve missed out on anything in the comments, or over on Facebook.
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There’s so many things on in Cork this year! It’s great!