Given his penchant for theatrics, you’d imagine the writer himself would enjoy Dublin’s Bram Stoker Festival , an annual event that goes bump in the four nights of October. This year’s programme has tricks and treats for all the family, plus a few adult-appropriate jump-scares. In the former category are The Haunting of Gusty Nook stage show (8-12 years) at Axis Ballymun, pyrotechnics at Dublin Castle, Spooky Stories at Marsh’s Library, DJ Donal Dineen’s daytime disco at The Ark, and and Stokerland fun fair in St Patrick’s Park.
For grown-ups are talks and walks from Three Castles Burning ’s Donal Fallon, literary events, film screenings and Dracula: Lucy’s Passion at the Abbey. Some events are sold out (waiting list only); many are free, but booking essential. October 25-28; bramstokerfestival.
com . Púca Festival has a host of live music acts as well as theatrical fire spectacles Púca Festival in Trim and Athboy, Co Meath has become a major arts festival, gigantic big top and all, with live acts this year including Leftfield (DJ set), Ireland’s own decks jockey Jenny Greene, Gavin James, Kingfishr, Bell X1, The High Kings, Dermot Whelan, Panti Bliss, Mary Coughlan, Deirdre O’Kane, Neil Delamere, The Dirt Birds and many more. And it’s not only music, comedy, circus shows and harvest markets, with the true spirt of Samhain smouldering in The Púca Procession in Trim, the Lighting of the Fire ceremony in Athboy, plus storytelling and guided walks.
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