Huxley Horror brings the Scary Woods Walk to terrifying new heights

BALLINA'S much-loved Halloween festival, Samhain Ábhainn, returns for another year of scares.

Running from today (Friday) until next Thursday (November 3), it's packing in a busy programme of events for children of all ages.

The main event in Belleek Woods, the Fanta Scary Woods Walk, will take place from today until Sunday (October 28 to 30, 6.30 to 8.30 p.m.), and this year it's set to be even more terrifying as Ballina welcomes the Huxley Horror Show to town.

This prestigious arts collective curates macabre immersive events, incorporating a range of bizarre horror and artistry. The group has gained a stellar national reputation for torturously terrifying events and installations, featuring at events like Knockanstockan, Electric Picnic and Glastonbury, and their presence in the eerie surroundings of Belleek Woods is sure to raise a few hackles on the route.

Other events on this year’s Samhain Ábhainn calendar include the Halloween Kids Killer Art Workshop hosted by Ballina Arts Centre, Trick or Treat Bingo for children of all ages in Ballina Stephenites, a Kiddies Halloween Horrors fancy dress disco hosted by Kilmoremoy Ladies GFC, and a trad and folk concert by renowned musicians Dermot Byrne, Steve Cooney and Trevor Hutchinson in Ballina Arts Centre.

Elsewhere, as well as the ever-popular Spooky Scéals storytelling sessions for children, the Jackie Clarke Collection are hosting Hallowe’en Hoot, an amazing live display of owl species facilitated by local falconer Jason Deasy from Mount Falcon Estate.

The Samhain Ábhainn Festival is run by Ballina Stephenites and is proudly sponsored by Ballina Beverages, supported by Ballina Chamber, Fáilte Ireland and MayoNorth.ie. Find out more by visiting MayoNorth.ie or liking Samhain Ábhainn - Ballina's Halloween Festival on Facebook.