Lú Festival of Light in Drogheda
Drogheda’s hugely successful Lú Festival of Light has been named in the Fáilte Ireland ‘Home of Halloween’ strategy, securing partial funding for the event over the next three years.
The immersive Halloween experience in Drogheda has attracted tens of thousands of visitors to the town over the last few years, with incredible visual light displays and storytelling.
It is set to light up the town once again next month with events held from 24th to 27th October.
Speaking at this month’s meeting of Louth County Council, Cllr. Pio Smith welcomed news from the local authority that partial funding for the event has been secured for the next three years.
Councillors heard that the festival was named under the national ‘Ireland, Home of Halloween’ strategy, which aims to position the country as the “authentic global home of Halloween.” Following a competitive process, Louth and Meath County Councils were successful in their application for funding under the pilot scheme ‘Home of Halloween’.
This will see both counties receive up to €100,000 annually over a three year period (2025-2028) to support “the development of vibrant Halloween experiences that attract visitors during the off peak season and contribute to regional economic growth.”
The Lú Festival is the named project for County Louth. Staff within the local authority have joined the steering committee for the festival which is being delivered in 2025 by Love Drogheda BIDS.
Cllr. Maeve Yore asked what was planned for the funding.
Thomas McEvoy, Deputy Chief Executive at Louth County Council told the meeting that Louth and Meath made a joint application to Failte Ireland for festivals associated with Halloween.
He said they were delighted to have been successful, as one of the six or seven applications approved nationally. It will provide funding for vital promotional activities.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme