The Irish Government has announced that five destinations in Ireland have been selected to receive funding under Fáilte Ireland’s new Home of Halloween Pilot Destination Development Scheme.

Samhain Festival, Longford © Fáilte Ireland

A total of €1.5 million will be invested over the next three years (2025–2028), as part of the ‘Ireland, Home of Halloween Strategy’ which aims to establish Ireland as the authentic global home of Halloween.

The pilot scheme invited local authorities in Ireland to apply for funding to create a new season for Halloween festivals rooted in local culture, folklore, and community engagement. Each successful destination will receive up to €100,000 annually to develop Halloween-themed festivals that celebrate Ireland’s heritage and attract visitors during the off-peak season.

The successful local authorities are Galway City Council; Longford County Council and Westmeath County Council (joint project); Meath County Council and Louth County Council (joint project); Kerry County Council and Fingal County Council.

Púca Festival, Meath © Fáilte Ireland

The projects are expected to attract 270,000 additional visitors over three years, generating €17 million for local economies, and supporting over 500 direct and indirect jobs.

The pilot scheme is part of the ‘Ireland, Home of Halloween Strategy’ which was developed collaboratively by Fáilte Ireland (the national tourism development agency for Ireland), Tourism Ireland, and Tourism Northern Ireland. It aims to deliver immersive cultural Halloween experiences that will extend the tourism season into October and November and drive regional economic growth.

Fire and Shadows Procession, Waterford, © Patrick Browne for Waterford Spraoi

Ireland's Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, said: “The Home of Halloween strategy outlines a strong vision for positioning Ireland as a ‘must-do’ cultural tourism experience. The investment will bring Ireland’s Halloween story to life, creating authentic visitor experiences, generating economic benefits, sustaining communities, and supporting long-term employment. It’s a powerful way to celebrate our culture and grow tourism sustainably in the shoulder season.”

The new pilot scheme builds on the success of the Púca Festival co-developed by Fáilte Ireland and Meath County Council in 2019. Rooted in the ancient tradition of Samhain, Púca has become a flagship Halloween event, attracting thousands with its vibrant mix of spectacle, music, and food. In 2024, the festival welcomed almost 50,000 attendees, delivering over seven million euros in economic impact, and supporting 174 jobs. In 2023, Fáilte Ireland also introduced the Fire & Shadows Processions in Limerick, Longford, and Waterford to further establish Ireland’s position as the Home of Halloween.

Samhain Festival, Limerick © Fáilte Ireland

Orla Carroll, Director of Product Development at Fáilte Ireland, said: “Building on the Púca festival, this scheme fosters partnerships between councils, tourism businesses, and cultural groups, helping to build a sustainable Halloween tourism offering across the regions of Ireland that will resonate with domestic and international visitors and support long-term tourism development in these five destinations.”

Janet Redler, Managing Director of Janet Redler Travel, added: “It’s excellent news for Irish tourism that the Government of Ireland and its partners are making a significant investment in developing their ‘Home of Halloween’ strategy. This is sure to attract visitors from around the world to Ireland to enjoy a fascinating cultural experience at what is traditionally a quieter time of year for tourism.”

If you or your group would like to enjoy a visit to Ireland at Halloween, please do contact our friendly team and we will put together a tailor-made itinerary for you.