Halloween to generate over €40m across Ireland

Halloween event organizers in Ireland anticipate generating more than €40 million for local communities and tourism businesses across the island this year. Over 320,000 domestic and international visitors attended over 800 events in the previous year, with hopes of this figure increasing. Fáilte Ireland's Festivals and Events Manager, Azeta Seery, explained that Halloween traces its origins to the ancient Samhain tradition, which has been celebrated in Ireland for nearly 2,000 years.

Recognizing the potential of Halloween to boost tourism, the tourism authorities have developed a new season centered around the holiday. In 2025, there were over 322,000 domestic and international visitors to these events. Seery emphasized that Halloween is more than just a day; it represents a cultural underbelly of Irish traditions spanning the entire month of October and into early November.

This extended season benefits businesses nationwide by attracting visitors to regions that typically see fewer tourists during this period. The Home of Halloween Destination Development Programme, launched by Fáilte Ireland, has invited local authorities to apply for funding to create immersive cultural Halloween experiences. This program aims to increase visitor numbers, extend average stay durations, support tourism businesses during the shoulder season, and provide sustainable economic benefits for communities across the island.

Key destination hubs include Fingal in North County Dublin, Louth and Meath, Longford and Westmeath, Galway City, Limerick, Kerry, and Kilkenny. Seery noted that the programme delivered over 800 events last year, contributing an estimated economic impact of over €40 million to the local economy. With the sustained interest in Halloween both nationally and internationally, Fáilte Ireland is confident that the holiday's appeal will continue to grow, with a particular focus on attracting visitors from emerging markets such as Japan, Spain, and the Nordic countries.