Meath and Louth Councils to recieve 300k funding for Home of Halloween project
Over the next three years (2025–2028), up to €300,000 (€100,000 annually) in funding will be invested in the Meath-Louth region to help develop Halloween festivals.
The pilot scheme is part of the 'Ireland, Home of Halloween Strategy' which was developed collaboratively by Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, and Tourism Northern Ireland. It aims to deliver immersive cultural Halloween experiences that will extend the tourism season into the quieter months of October and November.
Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke said: 'The Home of Halloween strategy outlines a strong vision for positioning Ireland as a 'must-do' cultural tourism experience.'
Mr Burke added that the €1.5m investment will bring Ireland's Halloween story to life, – 'It's a powerful way to celebrate our culture and grow tourism sustainably in the shoulder season,' he said.
The announcement is especially significant for Meath, which has already played a leading role in developing Halloween tourism through the Púca Festival—first launched in 2019 by Fáilte Ireland and Meath County Council. Rooted in the ancient Samhain tradition, Púca has grown into a flagship celebration of Ireland's ancestral ties to Halloween.
In 2024 alone, Púca attracted 49,050 attendees, delivering €7.11 million in economic impact and supporting 174 jobs across the region. The new joint project between Meath and Louth is expected to expand this success, creating a cross-county Halloween experience that leverages shared heritage, storytelling traditions, and historic sites.
Orla Carroll, Director of Product Development at Fáilte Ireland, added: 'We were very encouraged by the strong interest and vision from local authorities, and the successful applicants showed real potential to deliver a season of vibrant, authentic festivals. Building on the Púca festival, this scheme fosters partnerships between councils, tourism businesses, and cultural groups, helping to build a sustainable Halloween tourism offering across the regions of Ireland that will resonate with domestic and international visitors and support long-term tourism development in these five destinations.'
Other successful local authorities are Galway City Council, Longford County Council and Westmeath County Council (joint project), Kerry County Council, Fingal County Council.
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