{"id":665617,"date":"2026-10-26T07:14:13","date_gmt":"2026-10-26T07:14:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/665617\/"},"modified":"2026-10-26T07:14:13","modified_gmt":"2026-10-26T07:14:13","slug":"halloween-to-generate-over-e40m-across-ireland","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/665617\/","title":{"rendered":"Halloween to generate over \u20ac40m across Ireland"},"content":{"rendered":"

F\u00e1ilte Ireland estimates that Halloween events will generate more than \u20ac40m for local communities and tourism businesses across the island of Ireland.<\/p>\n

Over 320,000 domestic and international visitors attended over 800 events last year and it is hoped that figure will increase this year.<\/p>\n

“Halloween did not begin in Hollywood,” said Azeta Seery, Festivals and Events Manager at F\u00e1ilte Ireland.<\/p>\n

“It has its roots in the ancient tradition of Samhain, which spans over almost 2,000 years ago here in Ireland.”<\/p>\n

\"Azeta
\nAzeta Seery of F\u00e1ilte Ireland says Halloween is ‘a cultural underbelly of Irish traditions’<\/p>\n

Over the last number of years tourism chiefs here have developed a new tourism season around Halloween in a bid to increase visitor numbers.<\/p>\n

In 2025, it said that events attracted over 322,000 domestic and international visitors.<\/p>\n

“The Home of Halloween is more than just a day,” said Ms Seery.<\/p>\n

“In fact, it’s like a cultural underbelly of Irish traditions that spans the month of October into early November.<\/p>\n

“That of course benefits businesses nationwide because it extends the season beyond the traditional peak months of the summer.<\/p>\n

“It drives visitors into regions that wouldn’t traditionally welcome domestic and international visitors at this time of year.”<\/p>\n

\"DERRY\/LONDONDERRY,
\nThe annual festival in Derry is recognised as Europe’s largest Halloween celebration.<\/p>\n

Last year F\u00e1ilte Ireland developed the Home of Halloween Destination Development Programme which invited local authorities to apply for funding to develop immersive cultural Halloween experiences.<\/p>\n

The programme aims to increase visitor numbers, extend average length of stay, support tourism businesses during the shoulder season and deliver sustainable economic benefits for communities across the island.<\/p>\n

It is anchored by the P\u00faca Festival in Co Meath alongside Derry Halloween.<\/p>\n

“We have destination hubs in Fingal in North County Dublin, Louth and Meath, Longford and Westmeath, as well as Galway City, Limerick, Kerry, and Kilkenny,” said Ms Seery.<\/p>\n

“Last year the programme delivered over 800 events, delivering an estimated economic impact of over \u20ac40m to the local economy”.<\/p>\n

Given the appetite that exists for Halloween both nationally and overseas F\u00e1ilte Ireland said it can only see it growing from here.<\/p>\n

“Appetite within the international market has been particularly high, even beyond the Americas,” Ms Seery said.<\/p>\n

“Interestingly enough, we are looking at new markets such as Japan, Spain, the Nordics.<\/p>\n

“They are all really invested in the story and the narrative of where Halloween began, and to visit the land where Samhain and Halloween started.”<\/p>\n

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