Editorial: Something spooky this way comes for Samhain in Kilkenny!

Kilkenny is surely Ireland’s festival capital, and it is great to see even more events still being added to the autumn schedule, with a new Home of Hallowe’en programme unveiled for October.

Over 40 events will be running during the month to celebrate the harvest festival of Samhain, including some spooky and exciting festivities for all ages. The pilot scheme is part of the ‘Ireland, Home of Hallowe’en Strategy’ which was developed collaboratively by Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, and Tourism Northern Ireland to establish Ireland as the authentic global home of Hallowe’en.

The scheme aims to deliver immersive, culturally rich experiences that celebrate Ireland’s heritage, and help extend the tourism season into October and November. There are still notable numbers of visitors on Kilkenny streets at this time of year, including Americans, Germans and the French.

Savour Kilkenny is also getting in on the act. Supported by Kilkenny County Council and Fáilte Ireland, the festival is inviting people to experience Hallowe’en and Samhain with the culinary traditions that have been present on this island for centuries — from dining events inspired by forgotten lore to pumpkin-spiced delights in the cafes or at the Savour Village.

Kilkenny is one of seven places for the new scheme to be rolled out, and in total, over the course of three years, the supported projects are projected to attract approximately 337,000 additional visitors, generating an estimated €28 million in economic impact for local communities.
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Last year, Toil and Trouble events commemorating the burning of Petronella de Meath, the lore of Alice Kyteler and the Kilkenny witch trials, proved hugely popular. It showed the appetite is there to grow and deliver something a little bit different.
So, check out the programme of events online, and embrace Samhain this autumn!