Keeping spooky spirit of Halloween alive online

When it comes to celebrating Halloween, nowhere does it quite like Londonderry, but this year the ‘home of Halloween’, wants people to ‘Halloween at home’ with a virtual programme of events.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, councillor Brian Tierney said: “While we may not be able to stage large-scale events such as our traditional fireworks or carnival parade council’s events team have been working hard to deliver an entertaining and alternative approach to our Halloween experience.”

Among the highlights of this year’s online programme are Little Horrors story-telling sessions, online tutorials in Halloween make-up, costume making, and pumpkin carving, fireworks displays, First Light and a series of community-led interactive projects. Join Walter the Skeleton, the terrifying Cailleach, the Morrigan, the Banshee and the Red Branch Knight as they share some terrifying traditional tales of Halloween in Ireland.

The full virtual programme will run from Oct 28-Nov 1 – more information at derryhalloween.com/highlights.

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has also revealed a frightfully fun programme of free virtual Halloween events, with 10 days of ghostly goings-on for everyone to enjoy.

The hair-raising happenings will run from Saturday, October 24 to Monday, November 2, and this year all of the eerie events will be free to enjoy online on the Causeway Coast and Glens Events Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CausewayGlensEvents) and on the Visit Causeway YouTube channel.

If you dare, join storytellers Stephen O’Hara and Madeline McCully at 9pm each night for scary stories exploring the Causeway Coast and Glens’ local myths and legends. Whether it’s the wandering white lady of Dunluce, Abhartach the Celtic vampire or The Black Nun of Bonamargy Friary, each terrifying tale will delve into the borough’s petrifying past.

The Public Health Agency (PHA) is urging people to keep safe at Halloween by coming up with new ways to have fun which stick to guidance around staying safe from contracting and spreading Covid-19 within our families and communities.

Dr Gerry Waldron, head of Health Protection at the PHA, said: “We do not advise continuing the tradition of ‘bobbing for apples’ or going outside to trick or treat within the community, as these are not safe practices this year, as they increase the risk of infection. Sharing of food and sweets can also spread the Covid-19 virus. Face-to-face interactions with older and vulnerable neighbours could also put them at risk.”