*‘The cackling witches of Bunratty Castle & Folk Park’
THOUSANDS of visitors are expected at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park this Halloween Bank Holiday Weekend for a programme of spooky spectacles, live entertainment and family activities, with performances continuing after dark for the first time.
Monsters, Misfits and Mayhem will run from Saturday, October 24 to Monday, October 26, with extended opening hours and two daily sessions featuring everything from daring escapes and Victorian séances to roaming performers and Halloween games.
This year’s event marks the 100th anniversary of the death of legendary escapologist Harry Houdini, with visitors able to see his spirit brought to life by Steve Spade, known as the Irish Houdini.
Fresh from his performance at Electric Picnic, Steve will recreate Houdini’s death-defying 100-foot rope escape and showcase handcuffs that once belonged to the famous escapologist.
Visitors can also step back into Victorian times for a parlour séance or consult tarot cards with seer Selina Shadows.
Family entertainment will include the Human Spider illusion and encounters with Vera the Velociraptor, who will roam the streets of Bunratty with her trainer. Guests will also be able to apply for a role at the Ghost Recruitment Bureau, help a lost apprentice ghost find somewhere to haunt and attend the irreverent Wicked Wake.
The Witch Trial will invite audiences to decide whether an accused witch deserves punishment or whether the Witchfinder General is a “complete eejit”.
For those seeking a more unsettling experience, the Torture Chamber will offer Halloween photo opportunities, including a chance to try the bed of nails and meet William Dung IV, whose family is said to have perfected the art of torture over generations.
Younger visitors can enjoy traditional Halloween games, including apple bobbing, in the Golden Vale.
Roaming performers throughout the weekend will include international contortionist, juggler and clown Frederico Fandango, alongside stilt walkers and other spooky characters.
Marie Brennan, Events Manager at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, said: “Our Halloween event continues to be a firm favourite with visitors from across the Mid-West and beyond. We’re thrilled to welcome everyone back to Bunratty, where history and the haunted come together in truly magical fashion. It’s a wonderfully eerie time of year, and we’ve pulled out all the stops to create an unforgettable experience filled with fun, frights, and festivities for all the family. This will be the biggest and best Halloween event yet held at Bunratty Folk Park.”
The event will run from 1.30pm to 4pm and 4.30pm to 7pm each day from October 24 to 26.
For more information or to book tickets, visit bunrattycastle.ie/events.
