The Halloween mid-term and the bank holiday weekend are nearly here, and there's a fair bit on across County Monaghan for families, from a free pumpkin patch in Castleblayney to two spooky film nights at Íontas and the return of the Rossmore Forest Park haunting.
The Irish Independent rounded up the county's Halloween offering on Monday, and venue listings fill in the rest. Here's what we found, in date order.
Sunday 25 and Monday 26 October: Ray's Garden Centre, Castleblayney
Ray's Garden Centre in Castleblayney is running a free two-day Halloween event for families on 25 and 26 October, starting at 11am on both days, the Independent reports. There'll be face painting, a mini pumpkin patch, seasonal drinks, food trucks and a Halloween treasure hunt. The paper notes the event is billed as substantially smaller than last year's, so it's worth keeping expectations to a mini event rather than a full festival.
Sunday 25 October: a fancy dress disco and a free bog afternoon
A children's Hallowe'en fancy dress disco, with dancing and treats, is listed for the Aughnamullen Centre at 12 noon on Sunday 25 October, according to the What's On Tonight listings site.
The same afternoon at 3pm, Íontas Theatre in Castleblayney hosts Bogland Hero, a free afternoon celebrating Monaghan's bogs and wetlands. It's free, but LocalToad says a place needs to be booked through the Íontas box office.
Tuesday 27 October: Casper at Íontas
Íontas is screening the 1995 family favourite Casper on Tuesday 27 October from 7:30pm to 10pm, billed as its Halloween Family Movie. Tickets are €10 each or four for €35, according to the Independent.
Thursday 29 October: The Exorcist
For older viewers, the venue's Halloween Horror Movie is The Exorcist at 8pm on Thursday 29 October, according to both the LocalToad and What's On Tonight listings. Paul Brady plays Íontas the following night, Friday 30 October, but that show is listed as sold out.
Friday 30 October: Kreepy Kandyland at Rossmore
Friends of Rossmore Park are running Kreepy Kandyland: The Haunting of Rossmore Park on Friday 30 October from 3pm to 9pm, billed on its Eventbrite page as "a creepy candy-coated Halloween trail filled with tricks, treats and thrills". The 3pm to 5pm slot is the less scary one for younger children, with the later session running from 5pm to 9pm. Tickets are on Eventbrite, and refunds are available up to seven days before the event.
Saturday 31 October: Clones
The Clones Halloween Day Festival takes place on Halloween itself, with several town-centre streets closed from 7pm to 8pm. We've set out the Clones road closures and diversions here.
Free days out over the break
If you'd rather skip the tickets, the Independent points to three free options:
- Lough Muckno Leisure Park, Castleblayney: buggy-friendly walks, an adventure playpark for ages 2 to 12, picnic areas and a coffee truck, with sailing, kayaking and tree-climbing available through Castleblayney Outdoor Adventure Centre.
- Rossmore Forest Park: about 3.5km south-west of Monaghan town on the R189 to Newbliss, with a giants' trail of reclaimed-wood sculptures by Game of Thrones set designer Marc Kelly, a new playpark and a coffee dock, plus food trucks at weekends.
- Glaslough: the 2019 overall Tidy Towns winner has a free downloadable audio trail of about an hour, with Busy Bee Ceramics and Glaslough Alpacas bookable for an add-on.
Times and prices can change, so check with the organiser before you head out. More on our What's On page.
