What’s On In Carlow
It’s spooky time in Carlow and this year sees the welcome return of open gardens, Halloween parties and pumpkin patches throughout the county. From a Halloween pantomime in Rathwood to the Halloween party in VISUAL Carlow, you and your little ghouls and goblins will find something fun to bring that seasonal magic back with a bang for Halloween 2021! This year you and your family have the choice of marvelling at the pretty pumpkin patches outdoors or visiting the re-opened DOME Carlow for all your indoor entertainment needs. Spellbinding Halloween displays adorn the interior of Carlow County Library and the gardens at Delta Sensory Gardens, but for a list of things not to miss out on for the most spooktacular time of the year, read on!
Rathwood
Hansel and Gretel Halloween Pantomime. Create a Halloween experience to remember for your little ones, with the Spook-tacular Hansel and Gretel Halloween Pantomime. Verdant Productions bring a cast from London’s West End to this electrifying spook-tacular. Take a spooky train ride through an enchanted forest, watch a magical show under the Big Top, pick out a pumpkin and warm up afterwards with delicious hot chocolate, it doesn’t get more memorable than this. 23rd – 31st October 2021. For bookings visit www.rathwood.com T: 059-99156285
Huntington Castle and Gardens
Huntington Castle and Gardens is a secret escape located in Clonegal, Co. Carlow. Whilst taking in the history of this magnificent castle on a house tour, take a walk around the gardens. They were landscaped by the Esmonde family in the 17th century, with attention to detail in every element. The skilled and organised planting and exotic shrubs in the restored greenhouse makes for a great garden visit. The recently restored ponds, French lime avenue and the world-famous yew walk which is said to be over 500 years old, add to the wonderful effect of cultivated natural beauty. The little ones can also enjoy a playground on site with different obstacles to challenge kids of all ages. The playground features swings, slides, play huts, monkey bars, balance beams and more while a separate toddler area with a sandpit is suitable for the smaller children to play. Don’t forget to check out the castle’s tearooms and gift shop.
October opening times – weekends Saturday & Sunday, and half-term week 25th-31st October 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Please note: There will be no Halloween tours, but there will be regular castle tours. W: www.huntingtoncastle.com T: 053-9377160
VISUAL Carlow
VISUAL invites kids of all ages to a Halloween Party on Sunday October 31st from 2 – 4 p.m. Costumes are essential, there will be prizes and treats! DJ Leigh Arthur will host a dance party, there will be creepy and gross games as well as stories and art activities with invited artists Niamh Moriarty and Siobhán Jordan. The activities will be suitable from early years up to much older kids. The party takes inspiration from Irish Samhain traditions and stories and celebrates nature and the changing seasons. The Corona, an animated film made with children from across the region talking about their experiences of the pandemic will be on view all day. Entrance is free but booking required.
**Due to continuing Covid restrictions the Halloween Party is now ticketed. See website for details** W: www.visualcarlow.ie T: 059-9172400
Delta Sensory Gardens
While the Halloween event will not be held this year, the gardens will be decorated ready for mid-term. Be careful on Sunday 31st though, we hear there are some scary staff due to work that day! Open Monday to Friday Monday from 9.00am to 5.00pm, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. W: www.deltasensorygardens.ie T: 059-9143527
Carlow County Library
Bring your little ghouls and goblins to Carlow library to see the decorations, creating the perfect atmosphere to choose what magical tales they most like this Halloween! Harry Potter? The Worst Witch? Meg and Mog? Stellaluna? The library has it all and more. Call Carlow (059 912 9705) Tullow (059 913 6299) Muinebheag (059 912 9703) Borris (059 917 0350) for more details about booking a visit!
Carlow Little Theatre at The Seven Oaks Hotel
So exciting to see Carlow Little Theatre return to the stage with a new season of One-Act Plays at the Seven Oaks Hotel, Carlow. Three new plays and a classic Anton Chekhov piece will be performed on both nights as follows:
T I C K E T S: €12 : On the door or via Eventbrite or €10* : Concessionary rate for Students / OAPs *(available on the door only as proof may be required) Please note that the prevailing hospitality & venue rules regarding COVID-19 protocols will apply on both evenings.
The DOME Carlow
Back open for Halloween fun this mid-term. The DOME Family Entertainment Centre is Carlow’s only bowling venue, laser tag, children’s play centre, games arcade and kids party venue rolled into one. Featuring pins on strings interactive bowling – the only pins on strings in the South East and a 10-pin bowling alley with touch screen monitors that can be enjoyed by all ages. All lanes are fully accessible to wheelchair users and are fitted with side bumpers so bowlers of all levels can strike out. The games arcade is full of interactive machines and pool tables. Congo Quest is an 8,000 square-feet, 3D jungle life like experience. Facilities include ball pools, crawl tubes and slides, soccer court and a soft play area. They are super excited to announce the install of their brand-new state of the art HD SURROUND SCREEN SPORTS SIMULATOR coming very soon to The DOME! Suitable for adults and kids, this indoor sports simulator has over 20 sports including soccer, GAA, rugby and golf! T: 059-9164311 W: www.dome.ie
Shankill Castle and Gardens
Pumpkin Trail with pumpkin picking: Join us for a family outdoor pumpkin trail in the gardens at Shankill. Follow the trail, find the pumpkins and collect the clues to complete the secret password. Visit the secret fairy garden, old church and graveyard, magical trees and the witch’s kitchen. Each child can pick their own pumpkin in the walled garden. Return to the Coach House Café to collect a prize (hot chocolate and a Halloween treat). Halloween fancy dress is very welcome, but please come prepared for the outdoors – wellies are encouraged! Suitable for children aged up to 12 years old. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times. Dates: Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th October, 2021
Times: 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm Tickets: Children: €10 (includes: entry to gardens and pumpkin trail, 1 pumpkin per child, hot chocolate and a Halloween treat from the Coach House Café) Accompanying adults: €5 (same price as entry to the gardens)
Halloween fancy dress is very welcome, but please come prepared for the outdoors – wellies are encouraged! Suitable for children aged up to 12 years old. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times. Dates: Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st October 2021 Times: 11:30am and 2:30pm (lasts approximately 1 hour) Tickets: €15 per child (children must be accompanied by an adult – max 2 adults per child included in ticket price)
Wandmaking Workshops: Join us for a magical wandmaking workshop in the gardens at Shankill. Learn about different trees and their magical properties on a guided tour of the gardens. Choose the wood for your wand and customise it in a hands-on workshop. Receive a magical wand license from the Minister of Wands.