The way in which people celebrate Halloween differs between individuals. Some want the genuine fear factor, others want to know the history behind Samhain – and then there are those who just want a nice day out for all the family. Below are some events taking place across the country that cater for all tastes.

Halloween at Leahy’s Open Farm

Get your Halloween fancy dress on and get the whole family down to Leahy’s Open Farm in Midleton. Leahy’s spooky forest is being taken over by the friendly witch Hagatha, who needs some brave boys and girls to help her find all the ingredients to make her potions. Go on a haunted hay ride with her friends, who are very friendly and great with nervous children. Each family will also receive a pumpkin to carve. This event will run across the weekends of 21 October to 22 October and from 28 October to 1 November.

Pre-booking on www.leahysopenfarm.ie is essential.

Samhain Tours & Tales at Croke Park

This spooktacular Halloween event, taking place at Croke Park, will allow all the family to enjoy the spooks and scares of the pagan festival of Samhain. The GAA Museum will be celebrating in style with a stadium treasure hunt and a performance from one of Ireland’s leading seanchaithe or storytellers, Eddie Lenihan. Eddie’s unmissable tales are suitable for all the family, and he will draw on the stories he told his own children as they grew up. Samhain Tours & Tales at Croke Park takes place from 28 October to 1 November. Performances start at 5pm, 6pm and 7pm.

Tickets must be booked in advance on www.crokepark.ie/Halloween.

Féile Samhain at Hook Lighthouse

Discover the history and mystery of the 800-year-old Hook Lighthouse and celebrate Halloween traditionally at Féile Samhain at Hook Lighthouse from 28 October to 31 October. The festival will open with a guided sunset tour experience on Saturday 28 October at 5.15pm, where visitors will be taken through the oldest working lighthouse in the world, being told tales of some horrible histories from the Hook Peninsula. On Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evening from 6pm to 9pm an Evening of Fire, based on the ancient Samhain tradition of extinguishing and lighting anew, will take place.

For a full line-up of events and booking, see www.hookheritage.ie.

The Nightmare Realm

There will be an abundance of terror this Halloween at the Nightmare Realm, running from now until 5 November at the RDS Dublin and Kennedy Quay in Cork. Scream or laugh in these haunted houses, boasted as a complete adrenaline rush and not for the faint hearted. The Nightmare Realm has earned itself a reputation as one of Ireland’s best Halloween attractions, known for being a real scare.

Tickets can be purchased at www.thenightmarerealm.ie. Strictly over 13s. CL