The season outside may be frightful, but there’s lots to do that’s delightful this Halloween
For dinosaur lovers out there, Jurassic Newpark in Kilkenny is the place to be. Featuring five life-size moving dinosaurs, you can hear the roar of the Tyrannosaurus, witness the sheer size of the Brachiosaurus, and if you keep your eyes peeled, you may even see the lesser spotted Tractor-saurus. There’s also a fairy trail, go-karts, a prehistoric playground and some modern-day farm animals to meet.
Molly Mahem and Maisy at the opening of The Nightmare Realm at City Market Mary’s Lane. Photograph: Julien Behal PhotographyThis year, The Nightmare Realm at Mary’s Lane in Dublin has doubled in size with five new Halloween mazes, including The Haunted Orphanage, The Sewers, Cannibals Playground, Attack of the Clowns, and Death Row. There’s also a new Halloween Town Festival and food zone. With animatronics, special effects, secret rooms and surprises along the way, the fear factor is full on.
Con Horgan, Gill Byrne and Kim McCafferty at the National Circus Festival of Ireland. Photograph: Brian Lawless/PADiscover your inner clown at the National Circus Festival, which returns to Tralee in Co Kerry from November 3rd to 6th. With acrobatics, comedy, contemporary variety performances, professional circus masterclasses and workshops for kids, as well as shows in the festival big top, there’s plenty of fun in store.