Home of Halloween - Longford & Westmeath

Home of Halloween - Longford and Westmeath

In Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands, Longford and Westmeath present “Samhain: Fire, Folklore & Feasting”—a month-long celebration embracing the theme of the ancient Celtic highways, where all routes lead to the most sacred and mythical of locations. Visitors can experience torchlit processions, the Iron Age-inspired storytelling of the Celts, and the seasonal flavours of the earth in towns like Athlone, Mullingar, and Longford. Highlights include a dramatic fire and shadows parade, immersive performances celebrating the Celtic goddess Morrígan, and a fiery finale at the sacred Hill of Uisneach. This is a journey through Ireland’s ancient landscapes, rich in myth, music, and cultural heritage. 

Highlights:

• Uisneach - Samhain in the Heartlands: At the sacred centre of Ireland, the Hill of Uisneach becomes a beacon of ancient celebration. Samhain on Uisneach honours the Celtic New Year with fire ceremonies, storytelling, and ritual. It’s a place where the veil between worlds thins, and the spirit of Samhain is felt in every flame and footsteps.
• Fire & Shadows Procession: Embrace the origins of Samhain in this dramatic, myth-infused procession. The Morrígan, ancient goddess of war and fate, has released the spirits of the underworld at Oweynagat in Rathcroghan, and now travels the ancient Celtic highway toward Corlea, with spectral figures trailing in her wake. Her journey continues to Uisneach, weaving myth, fire, and movement into a living story of Ireland’s mystical past.
• Dead of Night Festival: Set to unfold across the Bank Holiday Weekend, the Dead of Night Festival in Longford promises a thrilling blend of folklore, fright, and festivity. Presented by Longford County Council and the festival team, this event invites visitors to explore the darker side of Samhain through immersive experiences, eerie performances, and spine-tingling surprises.
• Aindreas de Staic – Seanchaí Storytelling: Experience the magic of Irish oral tradition with renowned seanchaí Aindreas De Staic. His storytelling blends humour, rhythm, and folklore in a captivating performance style that brings ancient tales to life for modern audiences

​Uisneach - Samhain in the Heartlands (above)