Meath Tourism News

Spirits of Meath Festival 23rd Oct - 31st Oct 2009

Spirits of Meath Festival - Where Halloween Began
October 23rd - 31st all around County Meath!

Meath Tourism is pushing new home grown “Festivals” to attract visitors to the county for the second half of 2009, commencing with its oldest, Halloween!
Halloween or Samhain, is one of the largest festivals in the Western World (second only to Christmas). It marks the turning of the Celtic Year and originated at Tlachtga (the Hill of Ward) just outside Athboy, Co. Meath. Legend has it that all fires in the country would be extinguished until the New Year fire would be lit at the Hill of Tlachtga. Torches were then lit from this fire and carried to seven other Hills (including the Hill of Tara and Loughcrew) and from there on to light up the whole countryside of Ireland. With such a strong tradition and history, it is no wonder that Meath would take ownership of Halloween!
For the inaugural Halloween festival, “Spirits of Meath”, each of the particpants have brought something unique to the collective Meath marketing basket to ensure visitors really enjoy their experience in the Royal County. From an economic backdrop, tourism in 2009 is all about “events” and “things to do” with the domestic market. In this context , Meath should be over run for the mid term or Halloween break from Oct 23rd to 31st as Meath Tourism have come to the market with a vast and varied programme of things to do for all ages, fitness levels and interests!
 
The “Spirits of Meath” festival will run from the 23rd to the 31st of October 2009 and will aim to attract families during the school midterm. With lots of entertainment for all the family, it is hoped to be the most exciting programme of Halloween events in Ireland for its first year. All visitor attractions, activity centres, hotels and restaurants were invited to join in and given a platform to promote their wares. All businesses in the county are asked to add to the atmosphere by dressing or styling their premises in a Halloween theme. Chambers of Commerce and community groups are encouraged to theme their towns and villages. 
The programme features events such as:
Traditional Torchlight procession from the Fair Green to the Hill of Ward, Athboy.
Samhain Sounds Navan Busking Festival
‘Pucas and Potions’ Childrens Arts day Meath County Council Arts Office

Spooky dinner at Jack’s Railway Bar, Kells
Dark skies astronomy at Bru na Boinne
Barm Brack Baking demonstration at Harvest Home Bakery in Trim
Disco at Dunboyne Castle Hotel
Disco Inferno at the Solstice Arts Centre
Halloween Gourmet wine night at the Headfort Arms Hotel
Little Horrors Halloween Experience
Causey Halloween Experience
Kells Spooky Tour with Kells Heritage Centre
Deirdre Rogers Pumpkin Carving
Halloween Trick or Treat Day at the Station House Hotel
Kids Drama- Gorey Tales of Trim from Trim Visitor Centre
Poe Show at the Solstice Arts Theatre
Halloween Spooktacular at Grove Gardens & Open Farm
“Story telling & Music in the Parlour” at Highfield House, Trim
 “Samhain Sounds” Navan Busking festival
Samhain Feast at Dunsany Lodge
Workshops “Getting Ready for Halloween” workshops by Betty Newman Maguire

The extensive programme of events and special accommodation offers in Meaths top hotels for the same period is designed to ensure maximum opportunity is grasped for the county.

Halloween Programme of Events 2009

Halloween Accommodation Special Offers - so good they are spooky!

Watch out for your free programme in local media , shops and schools and visit www.meathtourism.ie for further information.