Protect Your Place

This Halloween we can protect our place in many ways, including seeking out bonfire-alternative activities. Find out more about why bonfires are harmful and what you can do instead to celebrate Halloween in County Longford below. 

Why are bonfires harmful and what festive Halloween activities can we do instead

Bonfires are often used to burn waste materials which release many harmful chemicals when burned. We then breathe in these harmful chemicals. This can cause health problems for you and others attending a bonfire. It can also cause problems for other people living in your area, including children, pregnant women, older adults and people living with pre-existing heart and lung disease who are all more susceptible to air pollutants.

The release of these chemicals also contributes to the pollution of our environment by decreasing overall air quality. The burning of waste also prevents material from being disposed of in a more environmentally-friendly way, such as recycling or composting.

For these reasons, the burning of waste is illegal, with fines of up to €5,000. Please report any build-up of materials for suspected use as a bonfire to Longford County Council's Environment team by emailing environment@longfordcoco.ie. Our team are out patrolling areas of the county and removing any materials collected for use in bonfires throughout October and the Halloween period.

Bonfire-alternative activities in County Longford

There are many activities happening locally this Halloween, including the return of the Dead of Night festival in Longford Town.