Programme of festivities launched for residents to enjoy this Halloween

After youngsters faced strict lockdown rules in 2020 which prevented them from going door-to-door in search of sweets, the spookiest night of the year is set to return in earnest this Autumn and will see residents treated to an expanded programme of family-friendly events aimed at guaranteeing a Spooktacular time for little ghouls and witches.

In Fingal, a various array of Halloween events are taking place including in our Community Centres throughout the county. These will run from 27 - 31 October and promise to bring the celebration to life with various activities including magic shows, scary story telling sessions, crafty pumpkin carving and a fancy-dress competition. To entertain the whole family this Halloween, Swords Castle is running a free Halloween Pumpkin Patch from 12pm-3pm, Friday 29- Sunday 31 October. For more information, please see https://www.fingal.ie/events/pumpkin-patch-swords-castle.

With Halloween set to fall on a Sunday for the first time in over a decade, trick-or-treaters and their families will be able to enjoy a whole weekend of activities to mark the occasion. While the easing of some restrictions has been announced by the Government, people are still urged to take care and follow safety protocols wherever possible.

The council wants to remind residents that the lighting of bonfires is prohibited and illegal. It is urging members of the public to report incidences of material being collected through the council’s Customer Care team on 01 890 5000 or alternatively by emailing:

Balbriggan/Swords Ops: [email protected]  

Malahide/Howth Ops:  [email protected]

Castleknock/Mulhuddart Ops:  [email protected]

As part of its commitment to protecting the environment, the council has also announced that the annual Halloween Amnesty at Recycling Centres will once again be taking place. Combustible materials (e.g. beds, sofas, wooden doors, etc.) will be accepted free of charge at Fingal County Council’s Recycling Centres in Estuary Swords and Coolmine. The centres will be taking these items from 20–30 October (N.B. recycling centres will be closed on Sunday 24th and for the Bank holiday on Monday 25th). For details of the amnesty and who can use the service can be found at https://www.fingal.ie/news/halloween-amnesty-dispose-combustible-waste-free

Paul Barnes, Event Manager of Fingal County Council said: “One of the highlights this year will be the Illuminate Fingal event, with iconic locations like Swords Castle, Bremore Castle, Draiocht and Blanchard Library, Casino- Malahide, Lusk round tower plus more being lit up to celebrate Halloween.

“We want residents to enjoy all the festivities on offer this year but urge everyone to stay safe and follow the most updated guidelines.

“It’s also important to remind our residents not to use a bonfire as an opportunity to dump your waste as most household goods can cause poisonous pollutants. We would also recommend that you look to keep your pets indoors; fireworks can be extremely frightening for them so it’s best to keep them out of harm’s way.”

To ensure a safe Halloween, Fingal County Council has provided an information leaflet with facts and tips on how to keep your family and community safe this Halloween. The leaflet can be found on our social media channels and at https://www.fingal.ie/events/halloween-events

For further details on what Halloween events are taking place, please see www.fingal.ie/ or follow us on Facebook or Twitter – @fingalcoco. In case of an emergency please always dial 999 or 112 for the Fire Brigade immediately.