LIMERICK Council’s 2025 Home of Halloween Festival came to a startling cost of €129,662, local councillors were informed.
At a recent meeting of the Metropolitan District, Independent councillor Maria Donoghue asked the local authority for a breakdown of the event’s costs.
The Council worked with local artists, communities, and creative organisations to deliver a month of frights, folklore, family fun, and festivities last October.
Additional funding from Fáilte Ireland’s Home of Halloween pilot destination scheme allowed Limerick to go bigger, bolder, and scarier last year.
Responding to Cllr Donoghue’s query, the Council’s Head of Tourism, Trade, and Enterprise, Brendan Troy, said that Limerick’s Home of Halloween 2025 was hugely successful with sell-out events throughout the county.
“Halloween programming by Limerick City and County Council for 2025 consisted of Home of Halloween Limerick, which took place over a four-week-period throughout the city and county, and the city centre Fire and Shadows Samhain procession, which took place over the evening of Saturday October 25,” Mr Troy explained.
According to the Council, research conducted by IPSOS and B&A placed Limerick as one of the highest rated Home of Halloween destinations, with an overall satisfaction rating of 83 per cent.
Headline satisfaction ratings included 96 per cent for upbeat and energetic atmosphere, 96 per cent for location, 95 per cent for environmental and sustainability practices, 91 per cent for festival uniqueness, and 91 per cent for safety and security.
Fáilte Ireland contributed funding of €100,000 under its Home of Halloween provision, the meeting was told.
The Fire and Shadows procession presented by Lumen Street Theatre, which showcased local artistic innovation and storytelling, cost €79,703. Fáilte Ireland contributed funding of €46,333.
Councillor were told that all procurement for Limerick’s Halloween programming was done in line with LCCC procurement policy.
The total cost of €129,662 was broken down to show €1,000 spent on a film screening at the Belltable, €5,085 for Morbid and Sons street theatre show, €1,600 for Tales by the Fireside, and €15,000 for Milk Market Halloween, including a new Harvest Festival and pumpkin patch.
A further €9,400 was spent on the Hunt Museum Halloween programme, €800 for Civic Trust Haunted House Tours, €54,500 for Halloween at King John’s Castle, including Con Mór, €500 for Halloween nighttime kayaking, €1,060 for Treaty Brewery Halloween activations, €15,000 for Wickham Way Carnival, €8,000 for Halloween at the Greenway – Barnagh Tunnel, €300 for Foynes Aviation Museum themed Irish Coffee celebration, €3,500 for Halloween at Lough Gur Visitor Centre, €12,872 for the Halloween programme at Desmond Castle and Newcastle West, and a further €1,045 on promotion.
– Local Democracy Reporting Scheme