The Ultimate Halloween Experience at Bunratty Castle!

Julia Labedz
4 days ago
3 min read

‘Monsters, Misfits and Mayhem’ will descend on Bunratty Castle & Folk Park this October Bank Holiday Weekend (October 25th-27th) as the County Clare visitor attraction is transformed into a haunted Halloween village.

The traditions and superstitions of ‘Samhain’ will be on display in Bunratty with Halloween games, ghostly characters, witchcraft, a Bed of Nails, tarot reading, street entertainment, and Haunted Train rides past ghosts, grim reapers, and zombies that will appear from the shadows throughout the 26-acre folk park.

New for 2025 - The Child Catcher and Maudie the Good Witch

Beware… the Child Catcher is Coming to Town!

Can you really trust the Child Catcher ?? Step into the courtyard and find out….

From the shadowy corners of your childhood nightmares and the cobwebbed pages of old fairy tales, creeps a figure most foul — The Child Catcher! With a nose for mischief and a knack for sniffing out fun, this sinister sweets-slinger lures little ones with promises of lollipops… and all-day play! But beware — what lurks behind his colourful façade ??!!

Step into the magical world of our Grandmother Witch - What sweet-natured tricks does she have up her sleeve?

Tucked away in the Loop Head Farmhouse, where the smoke smells faintly of lavender and mischief, lives Maudie — reputed to be the sister of the legendary Biddy Early, (the infamous Clare witch ) and a gentler kind of witch according to most who knew her !

With silver hair pinned under her bonnet and eyes that twinkle like starlight caught in teacups, Maudie is the village's sweet old enchantress — a healer, a storyteller, and a keeper of curious cures. With a cackle more cheerful than creepy, Maudie enchants young hearts not with spells of control, but with wonder, wisdom, and a touch of wild magic. Her cauldron bubbles, her herbs hang in fragrant bunches, and her old black cat (named Treacle, of course) watches it all with one gleaming eye from a hidden corner ….so you rarely see him!!

Adult visitors will be invited to step back in time at a Victorian-era parlour séance where the secrets of the past will be unveiled as the spirits of the departed are summoned. The Wicked Wake will be hosted in The Shannon Farmhouse where the resident MacNamara family will mourn the loss of their beloved Mickey, whose ghostly presence suggests he has unfinished business in the land of the living.

Experience Spooky Séance

The Red Devil

Dare to Face the Inferno?

Beware the Red Devil. A creature of legend, his fiery presence is a force to be reckoned with. Whether stalking the shadows, growling his defiance, or radiating an eerie glow, he leaves an indelible mark on all who cross his path.

The Séance

Unveil the Secrets of the Past:

Step back in time to a 19th-century parlor séance in Mac’s Dining room. Summon the spirits of the departed and experience the thrill of the unknown. (For adults only)

Hallow Traditions Return...

The Wicked Wake

Experience a chilling Irish tradition this Halloween at the Shannon Farmhouse. Join the MacNamara family as they mourn the loss of their beloved Mickey. However, this wake is far from ordinary. Rumour has it that Mickey's spirit has unfinished business, and his ghostly presence may surprise you.

The Talking Head

If the wake doesn't send shivers down your spine, venture next door to the Mountain Farmhouse to encounter the Talking Head. Is it alive? Is it dead? Approach at your own peril, for the consequences may haunt you forever.

Tarot Readers

Prepare to look into the crystal ball and have your future told by our Bunratty Tarot Reader. Will your future look bright, or will you leave with questions. Pop into Mac's Pub's breakfast Room to unveil the mysteries that lurk in the cards - if you dare!