Quickly becoming one of the West’s biggest festivals along the Wild Atlantic Way, Samhain Abhainn Hallowe’en Festival returns for yet another year of scares. The festival, which last year saw an unprecedented turn-out for its main event – the immersive Scary Woods Walk, in the amazing surroundings of Belleek Woods is sure to make a huge impression again this year, celebrating all things ghoulish with a cauldron of unique, hair-raising events.
The festival, supported by Ballina Chamber, takes place in late October with a busy programme of events for children of all ages.
Samhain Abhainn – Ballina’s Halloween Festival 
Samhain Abhainn Programme of Events 2019
Highlights
The Scary Woods Walk in Belleek Woods is the biggest event of the festival and it will take place from Saturday 26th – Monday 28th October. Expect scares a-plenty in this immersive, guided night walk through the forest. How brave are you? Find out when a deathly being breathes in your ear, when the wails of lost souls reverberate through the darkness, or when macabre clowns, possessed by evil spirits clutch at you as you pass, trying to drag you down under into the abyss.
Ticket and Traffic arrangements for Scary Woods Walk
There is no pre-booking system in operation. Queues will be managed from 6pm in the Woods with on-site entertainment.
NOTE: A one-way traffic system will apply from the Arch/Athletic Club past Belleek through to Killala Road. No traffic (residents excepted) will be permitted to approach from the Killala Road side of Belleek Woods. Parking will be available along the main road from the Arch to Belleek Woods. Please obey stewards at all times.
About Samhain Abhainn
Samhain Abhainn attracts young and old alike during the Hallowe’en break in Ballina, and aims to provide something for everyone to enjoy on Hallowe’en, whether you are looking for a creepy murder mystery trail, a big night out on the town in your finest costume or a scary walk in the woods for the children to relish. The unique Irish historical context of Halloween will be a big feature of the festival.
First celebrated as a pagan festival back in 100 AD, the Celts marked the season of Hallowe’en or ‘Samhain’, an old Irish word meaning the ‘end of summer’. Fast-forward 2000 years and Ballina is building on Irish history in celebrating Samhain Abhainn – a summers-end festival on the banks of the River Moy. This Hallowe’en the town will be transformed into a land of magic, mystery and myth, waiting for you, your family, and friends to come and enjoy.