Top Places To Visit This Halloween Mid-Term

Covering an impressive 80 acres of woodland, walks and trails, Castlecomer has so much to offer families this mid-term break. As well as its adventure pursuits like zip-lines, high-ropes and archery, Castlecomer has lined up a range of Halloween themed events to keep the whole family entertained:

Nature Detectives

This Halloween, Castlecomer Discovery Park are giving families the opportunity to become nature detectives with their  Family Bug & Nature Hunts running daily from October 24^th – November 1^st.  

Set in the dense forests of the Discovery Park, families can seek out the abundance of insect life hidden under logs and in ponds using ‘bug viewers’ and in the company of a trained guide to search the depths of the forest for all kinds of creatures

The sessions last approximately 45 minutes to an hour. Cost per person is €5. And run from : 12.00, 1.15 and 2.30pm.

Monster Inc Scavenger Hunt

Continuing the outdoor theme, the Discovery Park is also running a family-friendly scavenger hunt around the park that uses the movie favourite “Monsters Inc” as its theme.  Get those little feet walking through the beautiful woodlands to find the many clues along the way, take time to do a small monster craft before heading back to collect a little surprise. In a world behind our closet doors, monsters reign supreme.  €7.50 per child (suitable for kids 4 – 8), adults go free.

For bookings visit: www.discoverypark.ie

Situated in Bennetsbridge Kilkenny, Nore Valley Park offers a full camping and glamping site, as well as a pet farm and lots of family activities throughout the year. This Halloween they have added some super seasonal outdoor spooky events:

Pumpkin Patch

Pick your very own pumpkin this Halloween at Nore Valley Park in Bennettsbridge. Their Pumpkin Patch will be open daily from the 16th – 30th October. Pumpkins are €5.00 each and can be carved at the farm or can be brought home!

Halloween Themed Family Activities

On Saturday 23^rd and from Monday 25th – Saturday 30th  there will be a range of Halloween-themed activities suitable for all ages. From

• Torchlight Treasure Hunt
• Bonfire
• Scare Maze
• Marshmallow toasting

Entry fee is €6 and online booking is essential: visit www.norevalleypark.com 

Discovering the Hidden world of Bats – October 31^st @1.45pm

Set in the grounds of the magnificent Kilkenny Castle, this one hour Halloween workshop introduces kids to the amazing but hidden world of bats. The kids discover all about bats through the life of the common pipistrelle bat, from spring awakening to hibernation in the winter. This is done through games, art and a quiz. Also, to dispel some of the common myths around bats, like they deliberately fly into your hair. Admission is free.

Visit: www.kilkennycastle.ie

The Kilkenny Catwalk Trail consists of 21 wonderful Cat sculptures which have been decorated by some of Kilkenny’s most talented artists for public display in and around Kilkenny City until next April. Visitors are invited to follow the trail on the official Kilkenny Catwalk Trail App and find sculptures that will be located in Kilkenny’s beautiful public spaces, many of which are attached to the heritage buildings around the city.

Inspired by the feline character Pangur Bán that features in the film ‘Secret of Kells’, the 5ft tall sculptures are scattered around the city and make for a great way to see some of Kilkenny’s best-loved attractions and get some iconic photos and memories on your next Kilkenny getaway.

Visit www.kilkennycatwalk.ie

Lunch at the home to Kilkenny’s most renowned witch

Since it was first established by the notorious Dame Alice de Kyteler in the 13th. Century, the Kytelers Inn has welcomed visitors and has provided them with good food and beverages. To-day it’s a famous bar where visitors from all over the globe visit because of its spooky history!

One of the oldest inns in Ireland, its first owner occupies a special place in the history of Kilkenny. The daughter of a Norman banker, Alice de Kyteler married four times and, in the process, amassed a considerable fortune. Local jealousies abounded and she was eventually accused of witchcraft and sentenced to be burned. Her excellent connections with local gentry ensured however that she was ‘spirited’ out of the country to England before the execution could take place.

Visit: www.kytelersinn.com

With so much to discover and explore this  Halloween  in Kilkenny, why not treat the family to an overnight in the Newpark Hotel. This family friendly hotel is situated just on the edge of Kilkenny City so you can easily check out Kilkenny’s best attractions & things to do during your stay. Here are the hotels top mid-term family break packages:

 Two OR three-night action-packed family Halloween Breaks: From €648 for two nights

The hotels 2 and 3 night Halloween break offers include accommodation in family rooms,  breakfast each morning with dinner on one evening.  The break includes daily Kids Club from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. & evening kids club from 7pm-10.30 p.m.

Children have full access to all the Newpark Hotel’s kid’s activities, including On-Site Activities for Kids the Newpark Adventure Trail; Playground including a zip line and Tree Top Adventure; Fairy Trail Experience and Go-Karting Track and soft playground for the under 3’s.

October midterm family hotel breaks are available at Newpark Hotel from Monday 25th October to Tuesday 2nd November inclusive.

Visit: www.newparkhotelkilkenny.com

Children’s Halloween Activities

Spooky Stories at the Medieval Mile Museum – Join the Medieval Mile Museum this mid-term break for Spooky Stories with our Museum Guides! 30 minutes of storytelling at the High Crosses will be followed by our very special *Halloween LEGO Hunt*

Adult’s Halloween Activities

Twilight Tours at the Museum – Join the Medieval Mile Museum for a special after-hours tour of the museum and graveyard. Discover how superstition, magic and belief is etched into the very fabric of the historic museum building, encountering a witch’s mark found in the rafters of the building, and learning about superstitions surrounding the carved head of William Marshall in the graveyard. You’ll hear stories about the infamous witchcraft trial of Dame Alice Kyteler by Bishop de Ledrede and the Kilkenny ‘Whips Beggar’, discovering how magic, belief and morality shaped medieval society.

Visit: www.medievalmilemuseum.ie