Planning a day out in Carlow to enjoy the Halloween festivities? The Woodford Dolmen is the perfect place to stay, conveniently placed outside of exit four and just minutes from Carlow town, bring the family and explore all that the Carlow Samhain festival has to offer
Carlow town offers many different activities to enjoy with friends and family, centered around the Samhain festival that takes place in the visual, delta sensory garden, Carlow library.
Carlow Visual
As Halloween approaches the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead start to shift.
Carlow visual is hosting many activities for guests of all ages to celebrate the Celtic folklore, as the Samhain festival comes alive dive into fire and fun with the last witch Bridget Cleary theatre performance, Fire night hosted by volkidana, enjoy music being played by Ulla Bulla with Riona Sally Hartman and band and Lemoncello. With music and stories of Aindrias de Staic
Find your way around Carlow visual during the day as you embark on their spooky scavenger Hunt, Sunday the 25th of October is when the real family fun day begins with spooky stories, art workshops and straw making costume competition and a spooky disco.
Delta sensory gardens
Walk the paths of delta sensory garden and explore their take on a haunted garden as, Ghosts in the Gardens, they transform the peaceful pathways into a place where the different worlds converge, wander among spooky scenes from ghost brides to skeleton cyclists, Ghost in the Gardens encourage groups of all ages to attend and experience all they have to offer. Whether it is taking in the sights, walking the haunted graveyard or just taking in the atmosphere, Delta sensory garden offers a family friendly way to enjoy the magic and mystery of the season
Carlow Library
This Halloween the Library transforms into a place for creativity, curiosity and scary storytelling, get creative with jean Robertson at her Halloween camp where young artists can show of their artistic capabilities or make your way to the kitchen where young chefs can learn how to make chocolate apple mummies and other spectacularly sweet and spooky creations, Thread the overgrown path to Dave’s Halloween jungle where he showcases reptiles and brings amazing creatures up close or get your hands dirty at Liga Valge’s Clay monster shop where young artists can bring their own spooky to life using polymer clay, there’s something at Carlow library for everyone this Samhain.
Wednesday 28 October
10am – 2pm | Halloween Art Camp with Jean Robertson @ Carlow Library – Free*
Thursday 29 October
10am – 11am | Halloween Kids Cooking Class with The Cool Food School @ Carlow Library – Free* 11am – 12pm | Spooky Musical Tales with Ali @ Bagenalstown Library – Free* 11.15am – 12.15pm | Halloween Kids Cooking Class with The Cool Food School @ Carlow Library – Free*
Friday 30 October
10am – 12.30pm | Halloween Clay Monster Workshop with Liga Valge @ Tullow Library – Free* 2pm – 4.30pm | Halloween Clay Monster Workshop with Liga Valge @ Carlow Library – Free*
Saturday 31 October – Halloween
11am – 12pm | Spooky Musical Tales with Ali @ Carlow Library – Free* 11am – 12.30pm | Halloween Art Class with Jean Robertson @ Borris Library – Free*
Duckett’s Grove
This Halloween step into Duckett’s grove where centuries of history and folklore reside
Follow Danny McDaid as he takes you on a guided tour throughout the grove while diving into the legends and the stories that linger around the ruins of the 17th century gothic mansion.
What used to be home to the Duckett’s family is now eerie ruins filled with stories of flickering lights, ghostly appearances and unexplained sounds from the dark.
Delve in and explore where facts meet folklore and bring the Duckett’s story to life, illuminated by eerie crimson lights.
For those looking for a night out that is sure to leave you with a fright come to duckets grove
And see the sight.
Night tours on 29/30 October at 7pm
Big Barn Bash
Coppenagh House Farm, Tullow 31 Oct – 1 Nov 2026
Get ready for a brand-new family festival like no other! The Big Barn Bash is bringing the absolute best of Carlow’s food culture with fun farmyard action for the ultimate day out. Whether you’re cheering on the kids in the first ever Coppenagh Coo 5km Carlow Chase 2026 sipping artisan roast coffee or picking up top tips from local master chefs joined by Edward Hayden, Rachel Allen and Virgin Media’s Deric Ó h’Artagáin. The Big Barn Bash has something for everyone.
Join our Head Chef, Caolán Prendergast during his live demonstration: From Breakfast to Brunch with Caolán Prendergast at 11am both mornings. Caolán Prendergast is the Executive Head Chef at the Woodford Dolmen Hotel having previously honed his skills at the award-winning La Campagne in Kilkenny. He leads the culinary team at the hotel’s award-winning Plum Tree Bistro, renowned for its traditional Irish and international cuisine. Under his leadership, the bistro has earned accolades such as “Best Casual Dining” and “Best Irish Breakfast” at the Irish Hotel Awards and has been featured in Lucinda O’Sullivan’s Best Places to Eat guide.
Chef Prendergast emphasises the use of seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, collaborating with a diverse team of chefs to create menus that highlight provenance and quality. The hotel’s own herb garden provides fresh herbs, enhancing the flavours of their dishes while the honey used in his recipe comes from the hotel’s on-site bee hives. Caolán is deeply passionate about showcasing Carlow’s farms and artisan suppliers.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking for family-friendly fun, spooky adventures or a taste of Carlow’s rich history and folklore, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this Halloween. From the magic and mystery of the Samhain Festival to the eerie ruins of Duckett’s Grove and the excitement of the Big Barn Bash, Carlow offers the perfect destination for a memorable autumn getaway. Make the most of the festivities, create lasting memories with your loved ones and enjoy a comfortable stay at the Woodford Dolmen Hotel, your ideal base for exploring all that Carlow has to offer this Halloween.