Dead of Night Halloween Festival returns to Longford from 25-31 October
County-wide celebration blending folklore, fire, theatre and community creativity
Press Release: Tuesday, 14 October 2025
This Halloween, step into Ireland's Hidden Heartlands and uncover the mischief, magic, and myth of Samhain. The Dead of Night Halloween Festival returns to County Longford with its most ambitious programme to date. Running from Saturday, 25 October to Friday, 31 October this is a county-wide celebration blending folklore, fire, theatre, and community creativity.
Across the county, from Ballymahon to Ballinamuck, Cloughan Farm Abbeyshrule to Granard and Longford Town, the festival offers something for everyone. Explore lantern-making, mask workshops, harvest suppers, spooky drives, walking tours, and Dungeons & Dragons nights that bring Celtic myth to life.
One of the festival's unmissable highlights is the Haunted House at Connolly Barracks in Longford Town which takes place from 27–29 October. Now in its fourth year, this immersive experience has become a smash hit with young and old alike, daring the brave to enter its shadowy halls and confront spine-tingling surprises. Meanwhile, Halloween HQ in Pig Market Lane in Longford Town which runs from 27–29 October transforms into a bustling hub of workshops, roaming performers, and eerie encounters, perfect for families. The highlight of this is a storytelling extravaganza from Ireland's renowned storytelling outfit Candlelit Tales, a free event for all ages on Bank Holiday Monday.
The festival also embraces the night-time economy with special events, including Ireland’s bardic storyteller Andrias de Staic as part of The Latchikos who play Lyon’s Bar, Longford on 30 October, delivering an electrifying evening of storytelling, music, and mischief.
Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council Cllr Garry Murtagh said, "Longford has always been a place where stories are told and traditions are kept alive. This festival celebrates that spirit whilst showing the world what our county can offer. We're proud to welcome families, visitors, and adventure-seekers to experience Halloween at its most authentic."
Chief Executive of Longford County Council Paddy Mahon said, "The Dead of Night Festival has grown into something truly special for Longford. It brings people together, supports local businesses, and puts our county firmly on the map as a destination for authentic cultural experiences. This year's programme is our strongest yet, and we're excited to share it with everyone."
It all builds to the spectacular finale on 31 October: the Fire & Shadows Procession: Morrígan's Revenge. From 7.30pm, on Halloween night, Longford Town becomes a living stage as flare bearers, fire dancers, drummers, banshees, and giant puppets ignite the night. The parade winds through Main Street before climaxing in Market Square with a breathtaking finale of fire, frantic rhythm, and mythical spirits, followed by on-street entertainment until 9.30pm. The procession is proudly supported by County Longford Arts Service in conjunction with local artists, students and performers.
The Dead of Night Festival is part of the wider Ireland: Home of Halloween celebration, rooted in the Hidden Heartlands of Longford and Westmeath. Together with Halloween in Westmeath and Féile na Samhna at Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre, it invites visitors to stay, explore, and discover the hidden in the heart of Ireland – and to celebrate Halloween where it all began.
For full information and schedule, please browse the full Dead of Night Festival listing and book your tickets at: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/longfordcommunitysafetypartnership
