Folklore & Feasting in Ireland Hidden Heartland
Home of Halloween
Longford and Westmeath comes alive with spectacular parades, storytelling, spooktacular events and lots more...
This year marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for the Hidden Heartlands in Longford and Westmeath as Failte Ireland launches “Ireland, Home of Halloween”. For the first time, the two counties unite to create a seasonal programme that celebrates Samhain at its source in the ancient landscapes of bogs and waterways where tracks and trails lead to sacred hills.
Three flagship festivals form the heart of the 2025 programme: the Dead of Night Festival in Longford Town, Féile na Samhna at Corlea Trackway, and Halloween in Westmeath including Samhain on Uisneach. Each is unique in style, but together they weave a story of fire, folklore, and community that is deeply rooted in place.
This is the first year of a three-year journey to establish Longford and Westmeath as a dedicated Home of Halloween hub. Over time, our ambition is to create a Samhain Trail, linking legendary sites such as Granard Motte, Lough Ree, Athlone Castle, Belvedere, Dun na Sí, the Royal Canal and neighbouring Rathcroghan in County Roscommon. Visitors will be invited to walk ancient trackways, explore boglands and waterways, and connect with Ireland’s mythic landscape during the season when the veil grows thin.
By joining forces, Longford and Westmeath are building a distinctive new cultural tourism offer for Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands: one that celebrates heritage, supports local communities, and invites visitors to stay longer, explore deeper, and uncover the hidden in the heart of Ireland.