Few people know that Halloween originated in Ireland as an old Celtic festival called Samhain, celebrating the end of the lighter half and beginning of the darker half of the year. So, what better way to celebrate this centuries-old tradition than to do so in the country of its birth?
The dark and mysterious walled city of Derry becomes a melting pot of all things supernatural in October each year. The steep streets, the dark alleys and even the walls comes alive infested with wailing witches, vicious vampires and ghastly ghosts. It is arguably the most exhilarating Halloween experience in Ireland.
Established in 1986, Banks of the Foyle Halloween Carnival is reputed to be Ireland's longest running Halloween party with fancy dress competitions, live music, disco, candlelit ghost tours, face painting and balloon modelling. For local and visitor alike, the festival is a unique opportunity to see this most historic and atmospheric city at its most captivating. A number of fantastic new events will be added to the packed four-day programme of family fun throughout the city this year.
Families choosing to venture out before the witching hour will have plenty of sights to see too.
Derry, also known as Londonderry, is the only remaining completely walled city in Ireland and one of the finest examples of walled cities in Europe.
The walls were built during 1613-1618 by The Irish Society, as a defence for early 17th-century settlers from England and Scotland and protected by a large number of cannons, which thundered during the two 17th-century sieges.
In 2005, the surviving 24 cannons were restored and under expert supervision. Craftsmen cleared the barrels of centuries of rubbish, stripped off layers of paint and corrosion and bathed, sponged and waxed the cannons back to their former glory.
The cannons are displayed throughout the city walls with the impressive Roaring Meg located on the double bastion.
The walls, which are approximately 1.5 kilometres in circumference, form a walkway around the inner city and provide a unique promenade, to view the layout of the original town, which still preserves its Renaissance-style street plan to this day.
Just outside the city walls, near Shipquay Gate, you will find one of the Neo-Gothic Guildhall, one of Derry's must-see buildings.
The original building was constructed in 1890 but it burnt to the ground in 1908 and was rebuilt and reopened in 1912. It was again restored and reopened in 1970s and it is today the seat of Derry City Council.
With so many historical sights and buildings within and around the fortress-like city walls, Derry is the perfect setting for a ghoulish All Hallow's Eve. So when the Sun goes down, don a costume and head out into the dark October night to take part in this family festival.
