Where Fairies & Phantoms Walk at Halloween in Ireland

Where Fairies & Phantoms Walk at Halloween in Ireland is a 9-day / 8-night small-group paranormal tour running October 24 – November 1, 2027, timed deliberately around Samhain — the ancient Celtic festival when the boundary between the living and the dead is said to be at its thinnest. Led by Jeanine Plummer, Owner and Director of Austin Ghost Tours, in partnership with Secret Ireland Tours LLC, this is the second collaboration between the two companies and one of the most atmospheric tours in the Secret Ireland Tours calendar. The group travels from Dublin through Galway, Connemara, County Mayo, County Sligo, and back to Dublin, staying in 3 and 4-star hotels throughout, with the final night at the historic Fitzpatrick's Castle in Killiney. The tour is designed for up to 20 participants.

The itinerary is built around Ireland's most chilling locations and most magical seasonal experiences. Highlights include the infamous Hellfire Club in the Dublin Mountains, Malahide Castle and its resident spirits, Leap Castle in County Offaly — widely regarded as the most haunted castle in Europe — Galway's spectacular Macnas Halloween Parade, Kylemore Abbey, Westport House, and a Fairy Farm visit exploring Ireland's ancient belief in the "Good People." The Sligo days bring a guided Bram Stoker heritage walk, the ruins of haunted Lisheen House, Glencar Waterfall, a scenic Horseshoe Drive, a boat ride on Lough Gill, Tobernault Holy Well, and the Carrowmore Megalithic Tombs — older than the pyramids. The tour closes with a lantern-lit ghost walk through Dublin's medieval streets on the penultimate night.

Included in the price are airport transfers from Dublin Terminal 2, 8 hearty Irish breakfasts, a welcome lunch, a farewell evening meal, all venue entry fees on the itinerary, a comfortable motor coach with expert driver, a Secret Ireland Tours guide, Jeanine Plummer for the full duration, snacks and soft drinks on the bus, and all hotel and transport taxes. Lunches, most evening meals, international flights, travel insurance, laundry, and personal hotel charges are not covered. Full balance is due 40 days before departure, and installment plans are available on request.

Location: Ireland, covering Dublin (Hellfire Club, Malahide Castle, Dublin Ghost Walk, Fitzpatrick's Castle Killiney), County Offaly (Leap Castle), County Galway (Galway Halloween Parade, Galway City, Kylemore Abbey), County Mayo (Westport House, Fairy Farm), County Sligo (Horseshoe Drive, Glencar Waterfall, Tobernault Holy Well, Lisheen House, Bram Stoker Walk, Sligo Town, Carrowmore Megalithic Tombs, Lough Gill boat ride).

Duration: 9 days / 8 nights, October 24 – November 1, 2027.

Activity Type: This is a paranormal, folklore, and sightseeing tour with activity levels ranging from moderate to high. Several days involve walking on uneven or hilly terrain, including the Hellfire Club (high), Lisheen House ruins, and the Bram Stoker walk through Sligo town. The Galway day and Dublin ghost walk are more urban and pedestrian-paced but energetic in feel. The Kylemore Abbey and Westport House day is lighter in exertion. Waterproof walking shoes and windproof outerwear are strongly recommended, particularly for late October conditions in the west of Ireland. Guests who cannot manage hill walks or rough terrain may remain on the coach.

Accommodation: Guests stay in 3 and 4-star en-suite hotels throughout. The final night is at Fitzpatrick's Castle Hotel, Killiney, South Dublin — an 18th-century 4-star property with panoramic views over Dublin Bay, pool, spa, two bars, and two restaurants. Specific hotel names for other nights are not listed in the source material.

• Double Occupancy (couple sharing, one double bed) — $2,715 per person | Deposit: $300 | Deadline: March 17, 2027
• Twin Room Occupancy (two people sharing, two beds) — $2,715 per person | Deposit: $300 | Deadline: March 17, 2027
• Single Occupancy (private room, en-suite) — $3,315 per person | Deposit: not listed in source | Deadline: March 17, 2027

A $300 deposit is required to secure a spot (single occupancy deposit not confirmed in source). Full balance is due 40 days before departure. Installment plans are available on request.

Day 1 — Hellfire Club & Malahide Castle

Guests are collected from Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport at 9am and head to the Hellfire Club in the Dublin Mountains — an 18th-century ruin built on a sacred ancient cairn and one of Ireland's most notorious paranormal hotspots, associated with shadow figures, dark rituals, and alleged demonic encounters. The group then visits Malahide Castle, home to at least five resident spirits including the mischievous jester Puck and the restless apparition of executed former owner Miles Corbet. A fitting start for a Halloween tour.

Day 2 — Galway Halloween Parade

The group travels to Galway for the city's world-famous Macnas Halloween Parade — a spectacular street theatre event combining towering illuminated figures, fire performers, drummers, dancers, and ancient Samhain ritual in a celebration unlike anything else in Ireland. The evening pulses with energy, music, and the true spirit of the Celtic festival.

Day 3 — Leap Castle

A visit to Leap Castle in County Offaly — Ireland's most haunted castle, with a history of clan murders, a hidden oubliette, the infamous Bloody Chapel, and reports of a terrifying elemental entity described as a malevolent, foul-smelling presence. An experience that leaves most visitors shaken.

Day 4 — Kylemore Abbey & Westport House

A day of dramatic beauty in the West, beginning at Kylemore Abbey in Connemara — a neo-Gothic masterpiece set beside a mirrored lake beneath the mountains, founded by Benedictine nuns fleeing World War I. The group then visits Westport House in County Mayo, the elegant stately home built on lands once commanded by legendary Pirate Queen Grace O'Malley.

Day 5 — Horseshoe Drive, Glencar Waterfall & Tobernault Holy Well

A stunning scenic day in County Sligo begins with the Horseshoe Drive — a winding mountain route offering panoramic views of wild Atlantic landscapes around Benbulben. The group then visits the enchanting Glencar Waterfall, immortalized in W.B. Yeats' poetry, before a quiet, reflective stop at Tobernault Holy Well — a sacred pilgrimage site used for secret masses during the Penal Laws and long associated with St. Patrick.

Day 6 — Lisheen House, Bram Stoker Walk & Sligo Town

The group visits the atmospheric ruins of Lisheen House — one of Sligo's most notoriously haunted estates, with reports of poltergeist activity, galloping phantom horses, and screams in the night. A guided Bram Stoker heritage walk through Sligo town follows, tracing the connections between his mother's family and the town that helped inspire Dracula. The afternoon is free to explore Sligo's shops, galleries, and restaurants.

Day 7 — Galway City

A full free day in vibrant Galway City for independent exploration — shopping, traditional music in the pubs, fresh Atlantic seafood, and soaking up the creative energy of the Latin Quarter and the medieval streetscape. A well-earned day of rest between the haunted highlights.

Day 8 — Dublin Ghost Walk & Fitzpatrick's Castle

The penultimate evening brings a lantern-lit ghost walk through Dublin's medieval streets and laneways, past St. Audoen's Church, the cobbles of Temple Bar, and ancient courtyards where centuries of dark history linger. The group then checks into Fitzpatrick's Castle in Killiney for the farewell night, with a group dinner to close out the tour.

Day 9 — Departure from Dublin Airport

Guests are transferred to Dublin Airport for return flights home, with memories of Ireland at its most mysterious time of year.

• Airport transfers

We pick you up at Dublin Terminal 2 at the arrivals hall at 9am the morning of the first day of the tour.

• Bus

We work with a great bus company and they always supply us with a comfortable coach

• Driver

We have great drivers who know the country very well and will look after your well.

• Tour Guide

You will be looked after by an expert Secret Ireland Tours Tour Guide.

• Accommodation

3/4 star hotels and your last night in an authentic Irish Castle

• Meals

8 hearty Irish breakfasts, a welcome lunch and a farewell evening meal

• Snacks

We supply snacks and soft drinks on the bus

• Jeanine Plummer

Your ambassador will entertain you with ghostly stories throughout the trip

• Taxes and Charges

We cover all hotel and bus taxes and charges

• Venues

All venues entry fees on the itinerary.

• Flights

We do not cover flights, please do not book your flight until we give you the go ahead

• Meals

We do not cover lunch or evening meals other than what is on the itinerary

• Laundry

We will try to arrange laundry for you but it is at your own cost

• Itinerary

If you want to go somewhere that is not on the itinerary, it will be at your own cost.

• Hotel charges

If you encur hotel costs like phone use, room bar or room service, it is at your own cost.

• Insurance

We strongly suggest you purchase travel insurance to cover you in case of sudden changes to your plans or loss of items or luggage.